BBWARM to hold meeting on rate design alternatives

The Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on rate design alternatives at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at the Birch Bay Village Clubhouse, 8181 Cowichan Road.

The meeting will also be held via Zoom. The meeting agenda and Zoom link is available on the BBWARM website at bit.ly/3xZbbCR.

BBWARM began considering raising rates for the first time since the district was formed in 2009 due to increasing construction costs and many stormwater improvement projects needed in Birch Bay. In August 2023, the BBWARM advisory committee hired FCS Group to conduct a rate study and funding analysis.

The district has held several meetings on the potential rate increases. After the upcoming meeting discussing rate design alternatives, a final rate structure will be recommended to Whatcom County Council, likely in late June. County council will hold a public hearing before voting on whether to increase the rates.

Rates are based on the density of impervious surface area on a property, such as pavement, roofs, driveways or parking areas. The average single-family home in Birch Bay has 4,000 square feet of impervious surface and pays $75 annually, according to the district.