Friday Harbor council approves $62,930 rate study to include stormwater

The Town Council approved a $62,930 budget amendment on April 16 to begin a comprehensive utility rate study covering water, sewer and stormwater.

Administrator Denise Colson outlined three proposals from FCS Group: a full study including water, sewer, stormwater and refuse for $104,855; one excluding refuse but including stormwater for $62,930; and a water-and-sewer-only option for $55,320. “So to do water, sewer, stormwater, and refuse altogether, it's $104,855,” she said. “If we want to eliminate refuse and do water, sewer, and stormwater, it's $62,930. If we eliminate stormwater as well as refuse and just do water and sewer, it's 55,320.”

Council members debated whether to include refuse and whether the town should seek additional proposals. Some members noted the town has not historically had problems funding its refuse service and suggested deferring a refuse study until county transfer-station plans and any capital projects are clearer. Others argued that including stormwater in the study is important to justify proposed rate increases and to examine capital-improvement timing.

After discussion, a motion to approve the $62,930 allocation—covering water, sewer and stormwater—was moved, seconded and passed. Staff said the contract work can proceed and that a ratifying resolution and the contract scope will be returned to council for formal ratification.

What this means: the town will proceed with a consultant-led cost-of-service analysis and rate options that staff can use to inform future rate decisions and capital planning. The council left a separate refuse study for later consideration and suggested exploring simpler billing options and peer comparisons with towns such as Anacortes and Laguna.