Bellevue Environmental Services Commission Meeting – September 21, 2026

The Environmental Services Commission (ESC) met to recommend the 2027–2028 utilities budget, capital improvement plan, and rates to the City Council, and received an informational update on the environmental monitoring program. The meeting included public comments and was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Zemirman, president of the Stand Up America Party, criticized the City Council for prioritizing corporations, stating the city has a $1.2 billion budget while the local GDP exceeds $150 billion. He accused the commission of being complicit and used inflammatory language.
• Abraza Barajas, a Bobby Youth League Board Member, invited the commission to the Youth Link Gumball event on October 28 (6–8 p.m. at Cosmos Community Center) for dialogue with youth and city leadership.

Discussion Items

• Utilities 2027–2028 Biennium Budget, Capital Improvement Program, and Rates Recommendation: Staff presented the proposed $508 million operating budget for 2027–2028, a six-year capital improvement program (2027–2032), and associated rate increases. The budget emphasizes affordability, transparency, and equity, with 51% covering external costs (wholesale water, sewer treatment, taxes, support services), one-third for capital reinvestment, and 15% for direct operations. Rate increases are driven partly by wholesale cost passthroughs. The commission had reviewed these proposals over nine months. No new information was presented.
• Environmental Monitoring Program Update: Brianna Pierce (aquatic ecologist) presented findings from the program, which measures hydrology, water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, physical habitat, and salmon. Key findings: high stream flashiness (especially in Kelsey and Coal Creeks), E. coli exceedances in Maidenbauer Creek, low dissolved oxygen in Richards and Kelsey Creeks, elevated zinc from road runoff (especially in Kelsey Creek), poor macroinvertebrate scores, and severely declining salmon returns (last Chinook spawning in Kelsey Creek in 2010). The program is foundational for the forthcoming watershed management plan. Commissioners asked how the data translates into policy and capital project prioritization; staff noted that the watershed management plan will guide future investments.

Key Outcomes

• The ESC unanimously (5–0) voted to recommend the proposed 2027–2028 operating and capital budgets and rates to the City Council. Chair Juan will present the recommendation on October 13, 2026. Council adoption is anticipated on November 17, 2026.
• The next commission meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2026. The October 1 meeting was canceled.