Marine Stormwater Utility
2026 Rate Adoption
November 11, 2025
Sarah Ogier, Director, Maritime Environment & Sustainability
Jane Dewell, Senior Manager, Marine Stormwater Utility
Item No.10b_supp
Meeting Date: November 11, 2025
Action Requested
• Request Commission authorization of
10.0% rate increase in 2026 to fund
Marine Stormwater Utility
• Rate criteria includes:
– Maintain adequate budget to meet Port’s Long-range
Plan and Utility Charter responsibilities
– Continue investment to maintain and improve a high
functioning stormwater system to protect water
quality
– Support a 6-month fund reserve consistent with Port
policy and best practices
– Maintain consistent rate over a 5-year projection
2
SWU Pipe Repair Work Adjacent to the MInC Project
• Strategic Plan
– Engage stakeholders to update the first Strategic Plan and
create an updated 2026-2030 Strategic Plan
– Define goals and measurable outcomes to address resiliency,
exceptional value, sustainability, and equity, diversity and
inclusion
• Asset Management & Stewardship
– Progress on system rehabilitation
– Pipe repairs at Terminals 18, 25/30 and 46
– Monitoring innovative stormwater treatment: Retain Drain at
parks, Oyster Shell Treatment Barrels, and Splash Boxx
• Capital Projects
– Stormwater treatment at Terminal 91 Berth 6&8 project
– Drainage improvements on tenant lease at Maritime Industrial
Center
– Design work for drainage improvements at Terminal 106/South
Nevada Street
3
Key 2025 Accomplishments
Pipes ready for
installation at
Terminal 46
Bioretention at
Shilshole Bay Marina
Financial Objectives & Impacts
4
• Objectives:
– Program funded by cash from revenue
– Continue adequate budget to maintain and
improve high-functioning stormwater
system
– Maintain a 6-month reserve fund balance
for expenses and capital
– Maintain stable rates over 5-year projection
• Impacts:
– Increases due to Port and external costs
– Payroll increase 9.6%
• Compensation project
• Labor agreement increases
– City Business & Occupation tax increased
from 1.8% to 2.1%
Stormwater Utility Operating Budget
5
2026 Estimated
Budget
2025 Approved
Budget
2024 Actual$ in 000’s
9,0868,2607,244Revenue
2,262
5,183
1,917
2,343
4,827
1,432
2,221
4,068
1,273
Expenses
Admin
Maintenance
Other
9,3628,6027,562Total Expense
1,6792,350437Capital Program
11,04110,9527,999Total Expense &
Capital
(1,955)(2,692)(755)Annual Revenue –
Total Budget
2026 Proposed Annual Rates
City rate % higher
than Port
Port 2026*City 2026*Stormwater Rate Category
Undeveloped (0 – 15% Impervious)
21%$55.34$67.10Regular Impact
20%$32.40$38.88Low Impact
Light ( 16 – 35% Impervious)
16%$85.57$99.57Regular Impact
15%$67.30$77.39Low Impact
Medium (36 – 65% Impervious)
14%$124.28$141.07Regular Impact
14%$99.97$113.98Low Impact
12%$166.75$186.37Heavy ( 66 – 85% Impervious)
13%$197.24$222.25Very Heavy (86 – 100% Impervious)
6
*Rates are shown as $ per 1,000 sq ft
Request Adoption
of 2026 Rate
Questions?
7
