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Clean Water Services board adopts FY26 rates, budget and five‑year CIP; approves pay plan
Summary
Clean Water Services approved a 3% average increase to sewer and stormwater fees, adopted its FY26 budget, 5‑year capital improvement program and a district pay plan. The board stressed regulatory compliance projects and said the budget committee recommended the package.
The Clean Water Services (CWS) Board adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 revenue, budget, capital improvement program (CIP) and employee pay plan during the Washington County meeting June 17.
CWS Chief Financial Officer Kathy Leader presented a proposed 3% increase in combined sanitary sewer and stormwater management fees for residential customers, which CFS staff said would raise the typical household billing by about $1.95 per month. The district also proposed a 1.9% increase in system development charges based on the March 2025 construction cost index. Leader told the board that, despite higher treatment standards and service levels, CWS rates remain competitive with regional peers.
After public comment from a chamber representative and community members who urged caution on rate increases, the board opened the CWS budget hearing. The FY26 CWS budget approved by the board includes roughly $247.9 million in revenues with planned capital investment of approximately $147.1 million and a recommended bond issuance of up to $75 million to fund near‑term capital projects. Major capital items highlighted included Forest Grove primary treatment upgrades to meet copper compliance limits, the Durham digester project for solids stabilization, the Brookman sanitary trunk sewer, and the Rock Creek biogas utilization project. The board approved a five‑year CIP that budgeted $144.59 million for FY26 projects as part of a larger multi‑year capital plan.
The board also adopted a pay plan for CWS employees that establishes a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment, with a maximum performance increase of 3% tied to annual appraisals. CWS Human Resources staff noted district employees do not receive step increases.
Board and advisory committee members repeatedly praised the staff for detailed presentations and transparent review by the budget committee; the CWS budget committee recommended the FY26 budget unanimously. Directors stressed the need to find operational savings to limit rate impacts and noted major equipment and regulatory projects that drive the capital program. All CWS items passed by unanimous votes.
