Council holds clean water service charges steady after ESU audit; approves 2026–27 rates

San Juan County Council approved the proposed clean water utility service charges for 2026 and 2027 at its Oct. 7 meeting after staff described a county‑wide ESU audit and showed how capital and operating needs translate to per‑parcel charges.

Clean Water staff said the ESU audit identified 1,333 additional parcels, bringing the county total to 12,820 ESUs. Tyler Davis and Kendra Smith explained the two‑part rate structure: a basic service charge based on projected operating budget and a capital charge based on half of a five‑year forward rolling average of the capital improvement program, with a second capital component allocated by island (to reflect island project timing and cost differences).

Davis said the basic service charge computed to about $62.84 per ESU but the staff recommended a rounded $62 basic charge and island capital charges that result in the proposed total island rates. In presenting comparative data, staff noted San Juan County's per‑ESU rates remain low compared with several peer jurisdictions.

Council member Fuller asked why staff could hold rates steady. Davis said a combination of the CIP schedule, existing reserves and the updated ESU count allowed the staff to propose the 2026–27 rates without an increase; staff also noted they could revisit rates later in 2026 if circumstances change. The council adopted the proposed basic and capital service charges with the right to review in 2027.

The motion to approve passed on a unanimous voice vote recorded as "Aye," and staff said they would publish the rates and incorporate them into the county fees schedule and the budget process.