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Council authorizes rejection of eight South Island sewer connection requests after staff review
Summary
After a staff presentation, the council authorized the city manager to reject eight South Island sewer connection requests that, staff said, did not meet the city's South Island connection policy. Council noted KPUD treatment capacity but held that applications failed to meet policy criteria.
The Bainbridge Island City Council voted to authorize the city manager to reject eight applications for new South Island sewer connections after staff said the parcels did not meet the city's adopted connection policy.
Public Works Director Chris Wierzbicki presented the requests and the staff analysis, saying the policy distinguishes parcels inside the sewer boundary from those adjacent to it and limits new connections to narrowly defined circumstances, such as failing septic systems constrained by critical areas or affordable housing that meets policy tests. Of the eight applications presented, most were either outside the service area, had functioning septics, or were encumbered by critical‑area constraints; staff recommended denial for all eight.
Wierzbicki told the council the city currently accounts for 481 equivalent residential units (ERUs) and that a May resolution (Resolution 2025-05) authorized up to 25 new connections over four years (roughly seven per year). He added that Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) has indicated the treatment plant may have capacity for many more connections in practice — Wierzbicki said KPUD suggested perhaps up to about 200 additional connections beyond the Fort Worth area — but the council must follow the city's current policy when deciding this annual call.
Council members asked grouped questions about outreach to potential applicants and whether applicants had been provided the policy; staff confirmed the policy was made available and there is no application fee. Council members also asked whether affordable‑housing proposals could reapply; staff said parcels may be reappraised in future annual calls if conditions change.
Council Member Pamela Johnson moved to authorize the city manager to reject the applications in accordance with the South Island connection policy; the motion passed (the recorded tally was 6 in favor, 1 opposed). The city will open another annual call for connections in June 2026, and staff said applicants can reapply in subsequent years if conditions change.
The council's action enforces the local policy criteria while leaving open the option for the city to revisit policy or interlocal arrangements with KPUD if the council wants to expand connections in future.
