Staff previews wastewater SDC methodology; proposed "maximum defensible amount" about $8,085 vs current $5,362

Public works staff presented a preview of a wastewater SDC methodology that would establish a new "maximum defensible amount" of $8,085 compared with the city’s current wastewater SDC of $5,362—about a 51% increase. Staff emphasized that the maximum defensible amount represents the upper bound justified by the master-plan project list and does not obligate the city to charge that full amount.

Staff walked council through regional comparisons and said the methodology and project list support the higher defensible cap; they recommended stakeholder outreach and a 90-day public-notice process. Staff noted the formal methodology report will be published 60 days before the public hearing, enabling further council discussion about phased or tiered implementation rather than beginning at the maximum level.

Councilors asked staff to consider a staged or tiered approach to implementation rather than immediately adopting the maximum defensible amount. Staff said they would proceed with the 90-day notice and outreach, and that formal adoption could occur in March–April following the required notice and methodology availability.

Next steps: staff will publish the methodology report 60 days before the hearing, start stakeholder outreach and proceed with the public-notice schedule; council indicated a preference to explore implementation options (tiered or phased) during the notice period.