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Votes at a glance: Mercer Island Utility Board approves EMS, water, sewer and stormwater rate recommendations
Summary
The board approved four rate actions Oct. 28: EMS 4.97% (board approval), water 8% (recommendation to Council), sewer 4% (recommendation to Council) and stormwater 6% (recommendation to Council). All motions carried at the meeting.
The Mercer Island Utility Board took the following formal actions at its Oct. 28, 2025 meeting:
• EMS rate (2026): Staff recommended a 4.97% increase to the Emergency Medical Service rate, reflecting personnel cost inflation and benefit premium changes. Motion to approve the staff recommendation carried. (Outcome: approved by board.)
• Water rate (2026): The board voted to accept staff’s recommendation for an 8% increase in water rates and to forward that recommendation to the City Council for adoption. (Outcome: motion carried; recommended to Council.)
• Sewer rate (2026): The board adopted a 4% local sewer rate increase (reduced from a prior 4.5% proposal) and will forward the recommendation to the City Council; staff stressed that King County Metro pass‑through charges will add materially to the total sewer bill. (Outcome: motion carried; recommended to Council.)
• Stormwater rate (2026): The board approved staff’s recommendation to move to a 6% stormwater rate increase (reduced from a previously considered 8% proposal) and will forward that recommendation to the City Council. Staff said timing and permitting and recent staffing vacancies influenced the schedule for some stormwater capital work. (Outcome: motion carried; recommended to Council.)
Vote counts: The board recorded motions and unanimous approvals at the Oct. 28 meeting; five board members were present for the substantive votes.
