Council approves amendment allowing 25% upfront SDC payment for Moses Point ETA after debate on precedent
May 13, 2026 | Moses Lake City, Grant County, Washington
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Council members approved an amendment on May 18 to the Moses Point extraterritorial agreement (ETA) that reduces the developer’s upfront capacity payment from 100% of system development charges (SDCs) to 25%.
City staff recommended the change, explaining the developer has already transferred water rights to the city, invested in utility infrastructure and is actively under construction. "That's kind of a compromise we arrived at. I think 25% instead of all upfront is reasonable for three reasons," a staff presenter said, noting prior investments and the existence of emergency repair funding to cover immediate replacement of a failed pipe while the appropriation would fund a redundant pipe.
Developer Bob Fanser addressed the council, saying the Moses Point developer has historically built infrastructure and never prepaid SDCs. "Never have they been paid in advance," Fanser said. He warned that requiring an upfront payment would increase lot costs and affect the project's affordability, and expressed concern about being a sole test case if city policy changes.
County or partner representatives asked how the ETA differs from in‑city plats and whether the 25% approach would become a standard policy for development in the urban growth area. City councilors pressed staff to clarify and to return with tightened language to avoid ambiguity in future ETAs.
Council action: A motion to adopt the Moses Point ETA amendment was moved and seconded and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The amendment resolves a long‑running development impasse by allowing construction activity to proceed while ensuring the city receives an upfront deposit to reserve capacity. At the same time, council members raised fair‑notice and precedent concerns that the city intends to address in upcoming policy or ordinance clarifications.
Next steps: Staff agreed to return with clearer policy language on ETAs and payment timing to ensure uniform treatment of future UG developments.
City staff recommended the change, explaining the developer has already transferred water rights to the city, invested in utility infrastructure and is actively under construction. "That's kind of a compromise we arrived at. I think 25% instead of all upfront is reasonable for three reasons," a staff presenter said, noting prior investments and the existence of emergency repair funding to cover immediate replacement of a failed pipe while the appropriation would fund a redundant pipe.
Developer Bob Fanser addressed the council, saying the Moses Point developer has historically built infrastructure and never prepaid SDCs. "Never have they been paid in advance," Fanser said. He warned that requiring an upfront payment would increase lot costs and affect the project's affordability, and expressed concern about being a sole test case if city policy changes.
County or partner representatives asked how the ETA differs from in‑city plats and whether the 25% approach would become a standard policy for development in the urban growth area. City councilors pressed staff to clarify and to return with tightened language to avoid ambiguity in future ETAs.
Council action: A motion to adopt the Moses Point ETA amendment was moved and seconded and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The amendment resolves a long‑running development impasse by allowing construction activity to proceed while ensuring the city receives an upfront deposit to reserve capacity. At the same time, council members raised fair‑notice and precedent concerns that the city intends to address in upcoming policy or ordinance clarifications.
Next steps: Staff agreed to return with clearer policy language on ETAs and payment timing to ensure uniform treatment of future UG developments.
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