Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, July 4, 2009 Monroe, state prison system reach agreement on utilities The city and the state have settled long-standing differences on rates and fees for water and sewer service. By Debra Smith Herald Writer MONROE -- After years of feuding, it looks like the city and the state Department of Corrections are ready to be friends. Monroe leaders signed off an agreement this week with the state on sewer service at the Monroe Correctional Complex. The dispute had serious implications for both parties, especially with tens of thousands of dollars at stake and tight budgets. "I am thrilled," said Scott Frakes, superintendent for the prison. "It sounds like a good place for all of us. Now we can find closure on this and work on being good neighbors." Monroe leaders are equally ready to move on. "I'm so tired of dealing with this," Mayor Donnetta Walser said. "I think it's a good agreement and it accomplishes most of what we wanted." For years, officials from the Department of Corrections and the city have argued over issues surrounding water and sewer service at the complex, which houses 2,500 prisoners and is located within Monroe's borders. Water and sewer service has been provided under a series of agreements, some reached years ago. One agreement allows the prison to forgo a utility tax. A second lets the prison pay discounted rates on sewer service since the prison collects sewage in lagoons before it's sent on to the treatment plant. The resolution calls for the prison to continue paying the same sewer rate it has since January at least until the end of the year. After that, the city can raise rates but the Department of Corrections can pay for a third party to perform a rate study if they don't agree the hike is fair. When Monroe extended its borders beyond the prison, city leaders agreed to waive utility taxes. City leaders later amended the original agreement and told the state to pay up. The city dropped its push to get the state to pay $180,000 in back utility taxes and penalties. Instead, the state will make a one-time payment of $75,000 to the city. Both parties also agreed to try and settle any future arguments with the help of an arbitrator. The deal won't be final until officials at the state sign the agreement. It doesn't appear there will be any last minute hiccups. "We believe we've reached an agreement in principle," said Maria Peterson, a Corrections Department spokeswoman. Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. City of Everett, neighbor sued over lost trees, mudslide 2. Three-car accident closes Highway 9 3. Kennedy’s assassination remains a puzzling memory 4. Ways to Give: How you can help in your community 5. Take a look under your seat 6. Novice real estate investors can lose their shirts 7. Kwan never golden, but sometimes transcendant 8. Lotto ticket worth $6.5 million sold in Lake Stevens 9. Canceled credit cards come as a shock for some 10. Count drags on long after the election's over 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Eat local this Thanksgiving • Mavericks moving on • Canada's Great Big Sea rolls into Edmonds • A. Murphy finishes 2nd in volleyball • Art Walk features music, demonstrations • EAT LOCAL: Getting the goods • Lynnwood HS history teacher Vic Bennet dies • Wildcats head to semis • CSO Chamber annual show slated Nov. 23 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million