Marshall Drainage Utility

Following two Public Hearings during 2024 , and six County Work Sessions (July 2023 to June 2024), the Board of Island County Commissioners adopted at the 27 August 2024 Public Hearing, Island County Ordinance No. C-23-24, R-19-24 dated 27 August 2024.  This Ordinance amended Island County Code Chapter 15.02 which includes setting annual assessments at $55 for all parcels within the Marshall Drainage District commencing in the year 2025.  The amended Code also allows for re-assessing the annual assessment per parcel to ensure the fund balance maintains pace with outyear system requirements.

 Background:

The public was welcome to attend the work sessions and public hearings, either in person or virtually.   Two Open Houses were also available on 14 September 2023 and 29 February 2024.  Materials and audio recordings of the commissioner work sessions and public hearings can be found on the Agenda Center.   

A brief history of the events include:

• 8/27/2024 Public Hearing #2.  Decision to establish $55 annual assessment for all parcels within the Marshall Drainage District commencing in year 2025, and Island County Code Chapter 15.02 was amended.
•  6/12/2024 Work Session.  Discussed 7 options for consideration, ranging from the prior 100% impervious surface calculation, variations in maintenance and operation charges, and reduction in prior loans.  The Board directed reducing the loans and setting a standard annual rate for all parcels, not to exceed $65 per parcel.  The established rate must provide for a positive fund balance while maintaining the drainage system into the outyears.
•  5/21/2024 Public Hearing #1.  A range of comments received includes: Assess all parcels a one-time fee by back-charging the annual $30 Maintenance & Operations (M&O) for 14-years ($420), totaling $69,720 for all 166 parcels; Stop M&O and use Real Estate Excise Tax (REET); Marshall Drainage Utility was not created by the people - County should fund pumps replacement; Add Marshall Drainage Utility to the Clean Water Utility program; Remove the upper parcels of Marshall Drainage from the M&O assessment; and Use Roads Funds.  Based all comments received, the Board directed staff to develop new alternatives to present at a follow-on work session.
• 4/17/2024 Work Session.  Discussed feedback from the February 2024 Open House which included a question of whether all impervious surfaces were included in calculations.  A follow-on review after the open house resulted in the finding of the omission of private roads in the Cascade View community (total 45,088 square feet).  The updated assessments were presented in preparation for the 21 May 2024 public hearing, ranging from $76 decrease to $14 increase in total annual charge.
• 2/29/2024   Open House in Clinton.
•  1/3/2024 Work Session.  Discussed the draft assessments per parcel composed of a Capital Charge plus an annual maintenance and operation (M&O) charge to fund $145,00 (Capital projects) and ongoing routine M&O.  Capital Charges were $26 minimum (and no maximum) calculated based on 100% impervious area per parcel, to be assessed for 5 years (2025-2029).  The annual M&O was $45 per parcel.  The Board directed another community outreach meeting before a Public Hearing as assessments based on the 100% impervious surface method were not presented at the previous community outreach meeting.
•  11/1/2023 Work Session.  Discussed two assessment methods, the method originally used which was included a 10% area charge and a 90% impervious area charge per parcel and a new method of 100% impervious area charge. Retaining a program of credits was also discussed.   The Board directed staff to move forward with the new method of 100% impervious area per parcel charge and to retain the Program of Credits in the code.  Links to two maps that were handed out at the meeting are included below.
•  10/11/2023 Work Session.  Discussed feedback from the September open house and methods of assessing the charges.   Board requested information on an assessment based 100% on the amount of impervious surface area per parcel.
•  9/14/2023   Open House in Clinton.
•  7/19/2023 Work Session.  Discussed minimum and maximum assessment limits.  Board direction was to apply a $26 minimum and no maximum on annual capital charges.  Discussed rescission of the Program of Credits, Board direction at the time seemed to indicate to move forward with the rescission.

 The following documents provide additional details on the history of the Marshall Drainage Utility.