Sumner staff recommend modest water, sewer and stormwater rate increases and updated SDCs

Sumner City staff recommended increasing water, sewer and stormwater rates for 2026 and 2027 and adopting updated system development charges (SDCs) during a special study session Oct. 20, 2025.

Officials said the proposed changes are intended to fund capital projects including White River restoration work, biosolids modernization and wastewater plant improvements, cover planned staffing additions tied to a new operations facility, and preserve minimum operating and capital reserves.

Consultant Chris Gonzalez of FCS Group and Public Works Director Michael Acosta presented the study. Gonzalez summarized the staff recommendation: “We’re proposing that you increase water rates by 5½ percent in ’26 and 5 percent in ’27,” and recommended 6 percent annual increases for sewer and 5 percent for stormwater in 2026–27 (with slightly lower rates projected thereafter). Acosta said positions budgeted for 2026 would need to be appropriated through the city’s mid‑biennial budget adjustment, which will be part of the November package for council consideration.

Why it matters: city leaders and staff said Sumner faces a combination of firmed-up capital costs, ongoing maintenance needs and projected growth that require predictable revenue. Staff presented multi-year capital plans and a financial forecast that staff said covers most water work with cash but shows the sewer program will need borrowing and the stormwater program will rely heavily on grants.

Key details

- Projected capital spending (2025–2031): water…