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Thurston County proposes multi-utility rate increases for 2026–27
Summary
County staff proposed a phased consolidation of water and sewer rates, an 8% annual stormwater base-rate increase for 2026–27, a 25% noxious-weed assessment rise (about $10 per parcel) for 2026, and an average 13.5% solid-waste rate increase; advisory committees recommended the changes and public commenters voiced support.
Thurston County officials presented proposed adjustments to water, sewer, stormwater, noxious-weed and solid-waste rates for the 2026–27 biennium, saying the changes are needed to cover rising operating and capital costs and to implement a multi-year consolidation of water and sewer service-area rates.
Karen Lees, Public Works director, told the Board of County Commissioners the county’s consolidated water-and-sewer rate model (adopted in 2024 after consultant modeling) phases blended service-area rates over five years. "The proposed '26 and '27 adjustments implement the next step in that rate model with all service areas paying the same rates beginning in 2028," Lees said, adding that some service areas will see decreases while others experience modest increases during the transition.
Lees said the stormwater utility—responsible for drains, pipes, ditches and ponds—was modeled to support current service levels and that staff proposes an 8% annual increase in the stormwater base rate for both 2026 and 2027, with no change to the capital component. She noted stormwater rates were last adjusted in 2019.
On noxious-weed funding, Lees said the Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board recommended a 25% assessment increase for 2026; the proposal would raise the assessment by roughly $10 per parcel with additional per-acre charges where applicable. "This assessment adjustment was developed and recommended by the Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board," she said, and staff held the required public hearing on June 23, 2025.
Lees also described proposed solid-waste adjustments. Thurston County operates its Waste Recovery Center at Hawks Prairie and DropBoxes in Rainier and Rochester—the county’s only disposal facilities—and the presentation showed an average 13.5% rate increase across fee categories to address capital needs and county growth. Lees said the Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended the change and noted solid-waste rates had not been adjusted since 2012 while the consumer price index has grown nearly 40%.
Representatives of advisory boards voiced support. Carol Piening, chair of the Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board, said the board "unanimously support[s] the assessment increase" after a thorough review with staff and reported no negative public comments at the board’s prior hearing. Dave Nightingale, chair of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, told commissioners the committee also supported the solid-waste increase and cited rising CPI and construction costs as drivers: "Now we're back to normal, and, it's time for increase," he said.
No formal rate adoption vote occurred at the hearing; the board recessed briefly after public comment and voted to close the public hearing. The county’s presentation materials and advisory-committee recommendations were referenced during the testimony.
What’s next: The public hearing record will remain available to the board while staff and commissioners consider final action on rate ordinances and assessments. If commissioners move to adopt any of the proposed rate changes, the board would calendar those items for a subsequent formal vote and ordinance action.
