Rate hikes for lawyer fees in Elmer City?

Elmer City officials signaled more utility rate hikes may be unavoidable as they wrestle with mounting attorney fees from the town’s ongoing sewer dispute with Coulee Dam, council members said at Monday night’s meeting.

Mayor Jesse Tillman told the council the town is currently covering its basic sewer costs but is falling short once legal bills tied to the court case are added. He estimated Elmer City would need about $30 more per sewer customer per month just to keep up with attorney fees if the legal fight continues through next year.

A judge has also ordered the town to install a pretreatment system for wastewater before it reaches the regional treatment plant, a capital project council members said could cost “200-something thousand” dollars to build, plus ongoing chemicals and operation and maintenance. Tillman and council members questioned whether the order was appropriate for a small system that does not handle industrial waste, but agreed the town must keep paying lawyers to contest or clarify the requirements.

“We’re in that fight and [we] don’t just get to bow out of it,” Tillman said, adding that once the dispute is resolved the town could look at easing rates, but “once you’re out of money, you’re out of money.”

Clerk-treasurer Kelly Ross reminded the council that a previously approved resolution already raises all utilities 1.5% on Jan. 1, but both Ross and Tillman said that will not be enough on sewer. Tillman said a 10% sewer increase would cover only about half of the town’s current annual attorney costs, and that a 20% increase — roughly $34 more per month — would likely be needed to fully fund legal expenses if the case drags on.

Councilmember Clara Carson argued any additional increase should be framed as a temporary cushion against unknown future costs:

“Better to have it in place and not need it than need it,” she said, while also warning that rates cannot climb so high that residents simply stop paying.

Ross said Elmer City remains cheaper on garbage rates than Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee and Electric City, even after recent increases. She said in considering overall rates during budget discussions the town is “stuck between a rock and a hard spot” balancing solvency against affordability.

Tillman said the town is working with the Department of Ecology to shift an earlier grant-and-loan package — originally structured as a buy-in to the existing treatment plant — into a construction package for Elmer City’s own facility, which Ecology staff now see as more feasible given the treatment charges imposed on the town. Officials also said they will again seek help from AWC and other municipal support organizations after earlier outreach went unanswered.

Budget workshop and utility rates

Much of the meeting was devoted to a budget workshop, pushing revenue and expenditure figures through the end of August as a starting point for the 2027 budget.

Ross presented spreadsheets showing current balances, investments and year-to-date revenues. She said the town is currently about $3,900 “to the good” on its trash account, an improvement over last year, but warned that the town’s hauler, Sunrise, expects about a 2.5% increase in its charges.

Council members agreed they will likely need to raise garbage rates at least 2.5–3%, and possibly more, to ensure the town does not lose money on collection. Because an existing resolution allows only a 1.5% automatic utility increase, anything above that will require a public hearing.

Ross also noted:

• The town is earning about $900 per month in interest from its LGIP investments, with portions allocated across funds.

• Elmer City continues to receive state city assistance and liquor-related revenues based on formulas that have not yet been finalized for next year.

• Quarterly billings to Nespelem for a share of clerk wages run at roughly 20% of her wages and benefits, which will be updated once council sets 2027 salary levels.

Council members were assigned “homework” to come back next month with specific recommendations on employee wage adjustments and water, sewer and garbage rates before the budget is finalized.

Law enforcement and FBI search:

Council members discussed recent tribal police patrolsthrough town and a highpriority FBI and U.S. Marshals search for a suspect last seen in Elmer City. The man was later captured after a public tip, with a $2,000 reward reportedly claimed. Members praised cooperation between tribal police and local residents.

Spectrum franchise extension:

The council unanimously approved an extension of Spectrum’s franchise agreement, originally signed in 2014, allowing the company to continue providing internet and cable service within town limits. Ross said City Hall has been satisfied with the service and emphasized that any work remains subject to town rules on overhead lines and digging.

Street maintenance and traffic control:

Carson reported that centerlines and edge lines have been repainted on the lower road by the county, calling the work “awesome.” She also flagged that the town’s electronic speed-warning sign is still not functioning. Public Works Director Jimmer Tillman said he will inspect the unit to determine whether batteries or the programmer have failed and noted the town is planning to order replacement street and speed signs once a long-pending agreement with the state Department of Transportation is finalized.