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Utility Advisory Committee presents work plan priorities including groundwater and sewer pretreatment
Summary
At a study session, the Utility Advisory Committee outlined 2025 accomplishments (utility rate study, stormwater plan, utilities element) and proposed 2026 work including groundwater management, a water system business plan to assist smaller systems, and a sewer pretreatment ordinance; council asked staff and UAC to follow up on conservation and coordination topics.
Andy Marin, a long‑serving member of the City’s Utility Advisory Committee, presented the committee’s 2025 summary and 2026 draft work plan to the Bainbridge Island City Council on March 17.
Marin said the seven‑member committee includes engineers, contract utility administrators, lawyers and an economist and noted the group’s 2025 focus: supporting the utility rate study, drafting a stormwater system plan, contributing to the utilities element of the comprehensive plan and participating in groundwater management planning. “We are a committee appointed to provide advice to the council about utility matters,” Marin said.
For 2026 the UAC proposes continuing the groundwater management plan review, developing a water system business plan to help smaller island water systems, considering a sewer‑system pretreatment ordinance, and commenting on the utility capital improvement plan and biennial budgets. Marin repeatedly emphasized the committee’s advisory role and reminded council that many utility services (for example Kitsap Public Utilities) lie outside city control.
Councilmembers asked the UAC to address water conservation, wastewater beneficial reuse and the question of whether the city should pursue long‑term consolidation or control of island water systems. Councilmember Nelson described interest in “wastewater beneficial reuse” and in whether the UAC retained a strong statement favoring city ownership or control of water systems; Marin and staff said those are substantive topics the committee and staff can analyze and return to council.
Council members also suggested improved coordination between advisory committees and staff so that committee recommendations are clearer and aligned with city priorities before final adoption of work plans. Interim City Manager Ellen Schroer told council the staff routinely brings work plans back for council consideration and explained timelines for further discussion and possible May consideration by the council.
The presentation was received and councilmembers indicated follow‑up questions for the UAC and staff on scope, timing and potential presentation needs; no formal vote was required to receive the report.
