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Stormwater cost-allocation error flagged; alum treatment projection discussed
Summary
Committee members said a cost-allocation error in a recent presentation incorrectly showed the storm fund in deficit and asked staff to reconcile allocations before any rate decision.
Ocean Shores Finance Committee members discussed stormwater finances after a public town hall and a recent rate-study presentation that included cost-allocation entries the committee said were incorrect.
Finance committee member (Speaker 1) told the committee, "we are not in the deficit," and said the presentation included transfers and depreciation entries that misrepresented the storm fund's position. Staff are reconciling the cost allocation as part of the budget project to ensure any rate recommendations reflect accurate utility positions rather than one-time transfers or misapplied depreciation.
At the town hall, Speaker 3 summarized findings about lake and waterway remediation and said an alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment option had been estimated at about $20 million spread over 10 years, with a projected per-property rate increase of under $5.50 over that period on an 8,000-square-foot lot. Speaker 3 cautioned that the projection was contingent on multiple grants that were not identified in the presentation, and Speaker 1 agreed staff should not include anticipated grants in base rate calculations.
Committee members also discussed technical findings from Herrera (the consultant) about sewer lines under the Lloyd Hutt Ditch and said staff are using a newly delivered camera to inspect assets; sewer lead Nick Tingle was named as the staff contact for the camera's use.
Next steps: staff will complete the cost-allocation reconciliation, present corrected utility positions and an updated rate-impact projection without assumed grants, and report back to the committee and public works.
