Published May 10 2024
Plus, update on wastewater rate forecast and proclamations honoring Asian-American heritage, firefighters and public service workers
The City Council Tuesday decided to pursue a new, more ambitious affordable housing target in the coming years. The proposed 10-year target, to be revisited in the fall following community outreach and additional analysis, aims to produce or preserve 5,700 housing units.
The new target would represent a 110% increase over the amount of affordable housing achieved in the previous seven years and is a 128% increase over the prior 10-year target for affordable housing production or preservation. The city established its first 10-year target of achieving 2,500 affordable housing units when it adopted an Affordable Housing Strategy in 2017.
The new affordable housing target is based on Bellevue’s 2022 Housing Needs Assessment gap analysis. It will cover a 10-year period starting in 2024 and continue to focus on development of housing for households earning 80% of area median income or below. There will be housing unit sub-targets based on household income served, with roughly half of the target focused on those making less than 50% of AMI.
A new affordable housing target will help the city keep pace with expected growth projections established in the Comprehensive Plan Update now being developed and will advance the goals of the Affordable Housing Strategy. City plans include furthering partnerships and adding more tools and methods to increase affordable housing production and preservation in the coming years, which will be key to attaining the new target.
The full council discussion and presentation detailing the quarterly update on Affordable Housing Strategy actions and the new proposed affordable housing target is available on Bellevue Television replay.
King County wastewater rate proposal and forecast
In other business, the council was given an update by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division on the county’s proposed 2025 sewer rate and capacity charge, the 10-year sewer rate forecast, and ongoing work related to long-term forecasting and the Regional Wastewater Services Plan.
King County provides regional sewer conveyance and treatment services to 34 local sewer agencies under contract, including Bellevue. King County is responsible for setting sewer rates each year that are charged to the contract agencies to cover the operating and capital costs of the regional sewer system. These costs are passed through to Bellevue ratepayers and represent more than half of a typical residential sewer bill.
The King County Executive proposed a 2025 monthly sewer rate of $58.28 to the King County Council. The proposed rate represents a 5.75% increase, but rates are projected to increase significantly in later years forecasted. For the 10-year forecast, King County projects annual sewer rate increases of 7% for 2026 through 2028, 8.25% for 2029 through 2031, and 9.25% for 2032 through 2034. By 2034, the projected monthly sewer rate is expected to reach $118.16. The King County Council will take action on setting the 2025 rate by June 30. Additional information on the specific impacts to Bellevue ratepayers will be available through the city’s budget process taking place this year.
The council directed Bellevue Utilities to prepare a letter to King County, emphasizing the importance of affordability, a long-term forecasting tool and completion of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan update. More information is available in the meeting materials.
Proclamations for AANHPI Heritage Month, International Firefighters’ Day and Public Service Recognition Week
The council recognized May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Bellevue with a proclamation and encouraged all residents to celebrate the rich diversity and history of this community in our area.
The council also issued a proclamation recognizing May 4 as International Firefighters’ Day, and encouraged all residents to show support and appreciation for the Bellevue Fire Department and firefighters, past and present, who diligently protect lives and property. The day also honors firefighters who gave their lives in service to the communities they worked to protect.
The third proclamation of the evening acknowledged Public Service Recognition Week in Bellevue. The council urged all community members to reflect on the contributions of public employees who carry out the missions of our various branches of government.