Sewer District Prevails in Lengthy Court Battle vs City

Officials from both entities commit to collaboration for the public good… Ruling puts city’s inevitable assumption of district on pace to occur no later than 2033.

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LAKE STEVENS – A lengthy and costly legal battle between the City of Lake Stevens and the Lake Stevens Sewer District has finally concluded, with a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruling in favor of the Sewer District.

The decision, handed down earlier this month, upholds a 2005 agreement that dictates the city cannot assume control of the district until 2033.

The dispute ignited in 2020 when the Lake Stevens City Council passed an ordinance to assume the Sewer District early, citing a state law that grants such power if 60% of the district falls within city limits.

City officials argued that an earlier merger could lead to significant taxpayer savings and foster economic development by streamlining services and reducing governmental redundancy.

However, the Lake Stevens Sewer District promptly sued the city in 2021, accusing it of breaching the binding 2005 agreement which explicitly set the merger date for no sooner than 2033.

The district maintained that the city's unilateral action was "without notice, without legal authority," and a clear violation of their existing contract.

The legal wrangling put the proposed assumption on hold for five years,

Hit the jump for 800 words of news, analysis, and quotes from leaders of both entities.