Board discusses West Basin Master Plan timing and outreach; staff urged to expand city briefings

Washington County and Clean Water Services directors discussed plans for presenting the West Basin Master Plan and asked staff to broaden outreach to city councils before adoption.

Board members said the West Basin presentation requires adequate time and clearer communication of capital costs and implementation steps so mayors and councilors understand the financial scale and timing.

At the meeting staff noted that the West Basin executive summary identifies roughly $1,600,000,000 in potential investment needs and that the West Basin study is geographically larger than the East Basin plan. Directors asked staff to include additional slides or summary material showing how identified West Basin projects map to capital improvement program (CIP) years and to present a communications plan for reaching municipalities and elected partners.

Staff described prior engagement with city staff during West Basin planning and said more focused briefings for city councils would be possible. The board agreed to keep the West Basin Master Plan adoption on the integrated October 7 meeting calendar but asked staff to incorporate a clear communication and outreach plan, and offered to join staff in council briefings where useful.

Next steps Staff will refine the West Basin presentation to include CIP linkages, a clarified finance summary and a communications plan for city councils and mayors. The board did not take formal action at this meeting; staff will return with the updated presentation at the scheduled meeting.

Ending: The board agreed the October 7 integrated agenda is acceptable provided staff include clearer budget and outreach materials and coordinate with municipal partners.