Council adopts latecomer assessment for Guide Meridian sewer; total reimbursable set at $773,532

Lynden's City Council on July 21 adopted Ordinance 25-1716 to create a latecomer assessment area for the Guide Meridian sewer project. Councilors voted 7-0 to authorize the mayor to sign the ordinance after staff described the project and the assessment methodology.

Public works staff recapped that the city constructed about 900 linear feet of 8-inch sewer main along Front Street and Guide Meridian to the AM/PM gas station and that legal authority for the assessment derives from RCW 35.91.060 and LMC 13.28.180. Staff said assessments were calculated 50% on total lot area and 50% on street frontage, then reduced by an additional 20%, producing a total reimbursable amount of $773,532.

Mayor Scott Korthuis reopened the hearing at 7:08 p.m.; Duane Scholten "asked to be on record as to his opposition to Ordinance 25-1716, Guide Meridian Sewer Latecomers Assessment." The hearing closed at 7:15 p.m., and Councilor Gary Vis moved to adopt the ordinance with Councilor Lee Beld seconding. The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance establishes the assessment reimbursement area and authorizes collection from future development in the designated area; staff will apply the adopted methodology to calculate individual property assessments and follow statutory and municipal code procedures for notice and billing.