Shoreline Does Not Need 2 City Councils

On October 14, 2002, the Shoreline City Council adopted Resolution No. 197, authorizing an Interlocal Operating Agreement between the City and Ronald Wastewater District, related to provision of sanitary sewer services, and to the City's intention of assuming the District in 2017. The agreement was subsequently entered into on October 22, 2002.

The City acknowledged in the citations of that agreement that it does not own or operate a sanitary sewer system, and that the District  has the skills, assets, willingness, and ability to provide the entire City with sanitary sewer service.  11 years later, those circumstances have not changed.

The District has recently questioned the validity of portions of that Agreement. The City's view is that Ronald is reneging. The issue has political consequences, as 2 of Ronald's 5 Commissioner positions are on the August Primary ballot. Some of the candidates for Ronald Commissioner are running as advocates for the City's goal. But they aren't running for City Council. They are running for Commissioner of Ronald Wastewater District, a special purpose district. The District's Commissioners are not elected to serve the City's interests, noble as they might be. They are elected to serve the District's: the provision of wastewater services. This requires a special focus, not a City focus. There are advantages and risks to both municipalities and special purpose districts.

The people of Shoreline have elected to have 2 governments (among others): a non-charter optional municipal code city and a sewer special purpose district. They formed the Ronald Wastewater District in 1951. At the time of the City's incorporation in 1995, the people could have assumed the District. They did not. The people kept their sewer utility and their city as separate autonomous  governments, just as they did their water utilities, fire department, and school district . They had their reasons, just as they did in forming Shoreline School District separate from Seattle Public Schools in 1944.  And they have not changed their minds.

It is not for the City's officials or the District's to coalesce these government powers. Perhaps it makes sense for the City to assume Ronald. Perhaps not. Perhaps Shoreline Water District should also be assumed by the City. The Fire Department and Shoreline School District, too. And let's not leave out Metro. Then Shoreline could truly claim to become a 'full service city,' whatever that means and costs to the voters, ratepayers, and taxpayers. But each of these is a decision for the people themselves, not their elected officials. 

Next Tuesday is Election Day. It is a day of reckoning for Ronald Wastewater District. At stake is Ronald's future. One thing is for sure: we don't need 2 city councils.