Skagit County amends drainage utility code to charge state highways same stormwater rate as county roads

Skagit County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted to amend Skagit County Code chapter 12.19 and to adopt a resolution revising the drainage utility rate structure so state roads may be assessed the same stormwater charge as county roads.

The change affects a single line in county code that had limited assessments on state highways to 30% of the county roads rate. Jen Johnson, Skagit County Natural Resources Division manager, told commissioners the 30% language appears to have been a historical artifact and that Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) staff have confirmed the county may charge WSDOT up to the same rate it charges its own county roads.

The revision was presented at a public hearing required by county code. Commissioners moved to approve an ordinance amending chapter 12.19 and then approved a separate resolution adopting the revised rates and charges. The ordinance vote was recorded as “Motion carries 2 to 0.” The resolution authorizing the rate revision passed unanimously by voice vote.

Why it matters: drainage utility assessments fund ditch and culvert repairs, habitat restoration, flood response, and compliance with the county’s NPDES Phase II stormwater permit, Johnson said. The county has used drainage utility funds for projects across the unincorporated area and annually submits a storm-water plan to WSDOT to request reimbursement for projects demonstrably impacted by highway runoff.

Johnson said the county received about $10,000 from WSDOT in 2024 for four stormwater projects and estimated a tentative 2025 reimbursement of roughly $8,000 for proposed projects. Under the old code language the county collected about $10,500 annually from WSDOT; changing the code could allow collections closer to an estimated roughly $35,000 per year depending on projects and costs, Johnson said.

Johnson described the proposed change as “nothing major at this point, just a small change we’re looking to make.” She also summarized that drainage utility revenue is apportioned primarily to projects, with another share for operations, maintenance and permit compliance work.

The commissioners closed the public hearing with no public testimony and adopted both the ordinance amending Skagit County Code chapter 12.19 and the resolution revising the drainage utility rate structure.

What remains: county staff will implement the revised billing language and continue annual stormwater plan submissions to WSDOT for project-specific reimbursements.