Thurston County utility rate hikes receive backing from advisory boards 

Thurston County utility rate increases received unanimous support from two advisory boards at a public hearing where no objections were raised to the fee adjustments. 

The proposed hikes span water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste services for the 2026-27 biennium budget. 

Public Works Director Karen Weiss presented the adjustments during a series of budget hearings before the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 1.

Two advisory board chairs endorsed the proposals during testimony. No residents spoke against the proposals, which await final approval as part of the county's budget vote. 

The increases would end prolonged rate freezes. Solid waste fees have stayed flat since 2012, stormwater rates since 2019 and noxious weed assessments since 2016. 

County code sections 8.12, 15.06 and 15.12 authorize commissioners to set and adjust rates, and charges for solid waste, stormwater, water and sewer utilities. 

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 17.19.240 authorizes the board to set or adjust an annual assessment for noxious weed control following a public process administered by the noxious weed control board. 

Weiss told commissioners "the cost of these programs increases every year due to escalating operating costs, including staffing, repairs, power, etc., and other expenses necessary to run these systems, including investments in needed infrastructure." 

She said rates and fees provide the primary source of revenue for the services. 

Water, sewer rates 

FCS Group, a public sector utility and financial consultant, produced the water and sewer adjustments as part of a 2024 utility consolidation effort. The plan blends rates across four service areas from 2024 to 2028, when uniform pricing takes effect countywide. 

The county provides 24/7 utility services, including water services in Tamoshan, Boston Harbor and Grand Mound. Sewer service operates in those communities plus Olympic View. 

Tamoshan water customers would see base rates drop $4.22 monthly in 2026 and $5.38 in 2027. Consumption charges would rise $0.16 per 100 cubic feet each year.

Boston Harbor water base rates would increase $4.05 in 2026 and $4.37 in 2027. Consumption rates would rise $0.15 per 100 cubic feet in 2026 and 2027. 

Grand Mound water base rates would increase $3.71 in 2026 and $3.96 in 2027. Consumption rates there would increase $0.20 in 2026 and $0.22 in 2027. 

For sewer service, Tamoshan rates would decrease $5.27 in 2026 and $5.55 in 2027. Boston Harbor sewer rates would increase $1.47 in 2026 and $1.48 in 2027. 

Grand Mound sewer rates would increase $6.15 in 2026 and $6.38 in 2027. Olympic View sewer rates would increase $6.75 in 2026 and $2.37 in 2027. 

The Water and Sewer Utility Advisory Committee reviewed and unanimously backed the adjustments, Weiss said. 

Stormwater rates 

FCS Group also modeled stormwater rates to maintain service levels. The utility manages storm drains, ditches, pipes and ponds countywide. 

An 8% annual increase in the stormwater base rates is proposed for 2026 and 2027. No increase is proposed for the capital component of the rate. Stormwater rates were last adjusted in 2019. 

Single-family dwellings would pay $5.18 more in 2026 and $5.60 more in 2027. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes would pay $3.74 more in 2026 and $4.04 more in 2027. 

Properties over half an acre would pay $0.08 per acre in 2026 and $0.09 per acre in 2027. Nonresidential properties would pay $1.44 per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface in 2026 and $1.56 in 2027. 

Noxious weed, solid waste fees 

Noxious weed assessments would jump 25% in 2026 with no change in 2027. Parcels would pay $1.10 more annually. Properties of 1 to 5 acres would add $0.10 per acre. Parcels over 5 acres would add $0.04 per acre. 

The Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board developed and recommended the assessment adjustment. A required public hearing was held on June 23. 

Carol Piening, the Noxious Weed Control Board chair since 2015, told commissioners the board unanimously backed the adjustment. 

"We got a really good understanding of how efficient staff are at managing the weeds in Thurston County," Piening said.

The June hearing drew no negative comments, she said. 

Solid waste fees would rise 13.5%  across all categories. Individual rates vary by waste type. 

The county operates the Waste and Recovery Center in Hawks Prairie plus drop boxes in Rainier and Rochester, the only disposal facility in Thurston County. 

A consultant produced rates to maintain services and address capital needs from county growth. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee endorsed the increases. 

Committee Chair David Nightingale said construction costs have roughly doubled since the last adjustment in 2012. The Consumer Price Index climbed almost 40% over that span. 

"There was nobody who dissented on the solid waste advisory committee to this," Nightingale said. "I recommend you to adopt this budget." 

The Public Works Department reached ratepayers through utility newsletters, website notices, facility postings and stakeholder meetings before the hearing. The department received no comments.