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Council adopts system development charges, accepts utility rate study for review
Summary
The council unanimously approved a resolution adopting updated system development charges for water, sewer and stormwater and voted to accept a consultant'prepared comprehensive utility rate study (acceptance of the report; specific rates require later resolutions).
The Leavenworth City Council approved Resolution 25-20-25 to adopt updated system development charges (SDCs) for the city's water, sanitary sewer and stormwater systems. Staff said the SDC resolution reflects a prior study session and incorporates year-over-year inflation adjustments; the council approved the resolution by voice vote with unanimous support from those present.
Council also voted to accept a comprehensive utility rate study prepared by outside consultants covering water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste. Staff emphasized that the council's acceptance was procedural: accepting the final study document makes it a published record and allows staff to bring specific rate changes back to council in separate resolutions; the council did not adopt new user rates at this meeting. Several council members discussed whether they wanted additional oral briefing from the consultant; others said it was the council's responsibility to read the final report and submit targeted questions to staff before any rate adoption votes.
Prior to the votes, staff noted the study included a proposed 20% year-over-year rate increase used as a planning assumption for system revenue and capital needs. Council members asked that staff provide clear, searchable documentation and an executive summary for public access before votes on actual rate changes.
The SDC resolution and the study acceptance passed unanimously by roll call/voice votes with the council members present.
