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Committee corrects stormwater cost-allocation error; alum treatment projections hinge on unidentified grants
Summary
Ocean Shores finance committee members said a consultant presentation overstated a stormwater deficit because it used an incorrect cost‑allocation; committee sought corrected rate projections and cautioned against including unidentified grants in rate forecasts for alum treatment that were estimated at $20 million over 10 years.
During the Oct. 23 finance meeting at the Ocean Shores Library, committee members reviewed findings from a recent stormwater town hall and a consultant presentation on rates and treatment options.
Finance Committee Chair told members the consultant’s presentation used the wrong cost-allocation data and included one-time transfers that made the storm account appear deficient. "We're not in a deficit," the chair said, adding that finance staff will reconcile the cost-allocation and correct the reporting errors before council consideration.
Council Member (Speaker 3) described alum (aluminum sulfate) as the most effective remedy presented at the town hall and quoted the consultant slide that projected a total cost of "$20,000,000 spread over 10 years" with a household rate increase of under $5.50 over that period — crucially conditioned on receiving multiple grants. "That's never identified those grants," the council member said, and urged the committee and staff not to rely on anticipated grants when calculating rate increases.
Members discussed alternatives for how the council might structure multi-year rate ordinances: an ordinance can lock in a future scheduled increase, but if grant funding materializes the council can adjust later actions. The chair said any grant award affecting utility revenues would be brought to council to trigger reconsideration of rates.
The committee also discussed operational tools used by public works staff: members confirmed a shoreline/sewer camera is in use and noted that sewer infrastructure — particularly a line beneath Lloyd Hutt Ditch — may need relocation, which could affect a planned sidewalk project because existing connections would have to be broken and reconnected. Staff said they are tracking those infrastructure details and will coordinate with the sidewalk project team.
Next steps: finance staff will reconcile the cost-allocation reporting with the consultant, produce an updated rate projection that excludes speculative grant revenue, and present those corrected figures to council before any rate ordinance is advanced.
