SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5840

BYSenators Bluechel, Talmadge, McDonald, Fleming, Metcalf, Moore, Kreidler, Rinehart, DeJarnatt, Sutherland, Warnke, Murray, Nelson, Conner and Cantu

Authorizing metropolitan municipal corporations to make connection charges.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1989

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan municipal corporations have the authority to operate sewage collection and treatment facilities.  They do not have the authority to impose connection charges upon new customers of these facilities in addition to the uniform rates that all customers pay.

Cities, counties and sewer districts have the authority to impose sewer connection charges.  Connection charges are intended to ensure that new customers pay a proportionate share of the capital costs of sewage facilities to match the sum already paid by existing customers through regularly imposed rates.  Such charges usually retire debt incurred as a result of capital construction.

Sewer districts have the authority to impose liens against real property to enforce collection of delinquent connection and sewage disposal charges.  If the charges are delinquent for more than 60 days, the lien may be foreclosed.

The only functioning metropolitan municipal corporation in the state -- the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO) -- seeks the authority to impose connection charges.  METRO operates facilities that treat sewage collected from various municipal systems in King County. 

SUMMARY:

A metropolitan municipal corporation engaged in the transmission, treatment, and disposal of sewage may impose a connection charge on property owners who seek to connect or reconnect to sewer systems that drain into its facilities.  The charge may not exceed the proportionate share of the system's capital costs demonstrably attributable to the property being charged.  The charge will be a lien against the property served and may be collected in any manner available to sewer districts.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested