Executive/Council Action Form (ECAF)
ITEM TITLE:
Title
Ordinance 25-053, amending Chapter 25.20 of the Snohomish County Code relating to Storm and Surface Water Management Service Charge Credits
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DEPARTMENT: Conservation and Natural Resources
ORIGINATOR: Kent Barbeau
EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION: Approved by Lacey Harper 9/9/25
PURPOSE: The ordinance amends provisions of Chapter 25.20 SCC concerning service charges and credits.
BACKGROUND: Current county code allows a credit on surface water charges for properties that maintain their onsite stormwater facilities. Code language articulates strict requirements for credit eligibility based on the facility being in compliance with modern development standards. SWM has typically implemented the code to give the credit based on the facility meeting the development standard at the time the facility was originally approved by the County. The proposed code amendment brings code language into alignment with this long-standing practice.
The federal Clean Water Act obligates federal agencies to pay stormwater charges that are deemed reasonable. The Act allows each agency to evaluate the billed charges and determine their reasonableness based on criteria listed in the Act. The proposed code amendment recognizes that the County has no control over the federal agency determination of county charges and little to no recourse to challenge the finding. The proposed code amendment therefore removes the County’s obligation to continue to bill properties owned by federal agencies that have made the determination to not pay local stormwater charges.
Current code allows K-12 schools to receive consideration for the costs of curriculum in reducing the stormwater charges associated with their school properties. The County first notifies each district of impending charges and then evaluates the school district’s supplied documentation for the cost of a qualifying curriculum. Typically, the annual curriculum costs meet or exceed the full district-wide stormwater charge for their properties. The proposed amendment changes this in-kind consideration approach to a full exemption of stormwater charges for K-12 schools based on a known curriculum standard that must be met by all accredited schools, both public and private.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
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EXPEND: FUND, AGY, ORG, ACTY, OBJ, AU |
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REVENUE: FUND, AGY, ORG, REV, SOURCE |
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DEPARTMENT FISCAL IMPACT NOTES: N/A
CONTRACT INFORMATION:
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OTHER DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW/COMMENTS: Reviewed/approved by Finance – Bill Thornton 9/8/25. DPA AATF: Justin Kasting 8/20/25