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  • North Mason Families: Which Tahuya State Forest Trails Are Actually Open This Spring?

    North Mason Families: Which Tahuya State Forest Trails Are Actually Open This Spring?

    If you’re loading the truck for a Tahuya weekend — mountain bikes, ATVs, kids who’ve been waiting all winter — the 2026 season is open. Gates are running April 15 through October 31, and Elfendahl Pass is set up to handle you. What it’s not set up to do is guarantee every trail on your mental list is accessible. Two distinct closure situations are affecting the network right now, and knowing them before you leave Belfair saves the Saturday.

    The Howell Lake Situation

    The Howell Lake Loop Trail is closed. A bridge washed out and DNR hasn’t set a repair timeline. If Howell Lake is on your family’s plan specifically — for fishing, swimming, or a picnic with easy lake access — the lake and day-use area are still open for non-motorized activity year-round. Your family can get to the water. You just can’t do the full loop trail until the bridge is fixed. Before committing to Howell Lake specifically, call DNR at (360) 825-1631 to get current status.

    Active Logging Is Blocking Several Trails

    Three timber sales currently operating in Tahuya — Trail Mix, Little Wrangler, and School — are causing temporary closures on Randy’s H2O Stop, Mission Creek, the 1.9 Mile trail, Hoof & Tail, and the Tahuya River Trail. If any of those are on your ride list, check current status before heading out.

    The key thing to understand about timber sale closures: they move. As logging operations shift from section to section, some trails reopen while others close. A trail that was shut last weekend may be running this weekend. This is why checking dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya before every trip matters more at Tahuya than at a conventional park — conditions here aren’t static.

    What’s Definitely Running: Elfendahl Pass

    The Elfendahl Pass Staging Area is open and handling traffic well. It’s the best entry point for families — approximately 50 vehicle spaces with room to pull through with a trailer. From Belfair: SR-300 west 3.5 miles → right on Belfair-Tahuya Road 1.9 miles → right on Elfendahl Pass Road 2.3 miles. The majority of Tahuya’s trail network is accessible from there, divided between motorized and non-motorized designated routes.

    Before You Head Out

    • DNR page: dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya — current closure alerts and the March 2025 trail map
    • Phone: (360) 825-1631 — often more current than the website for active timber operations

    For the full spring access picture, see our complete Tahuya spring 2026 trail guide. If you’re planning a broader Hood Canal family day, the North Mason families summer planning guide covers Belfair State Park, shellfish, and what to build around this season.

    Frequently Asked Questions: Tahuya State Forest for North Mason Families

    Can kids use Tahuya State Forest trails safely?

    Yes. Tahuya has both motorized and non-motorized designated trail zones. Non-motorized routes for hikers and mountain bikers are appropriate for families on foot or with bikes. Motorized routes handle ATVs and dirt bikes on separate designated trails. Check the DNR trail map to stay in the correct zone for your activity.

    Can we still go to Howell Lake with young children?

    Yes — the lake and day-use area remain open year-round for non-motorized activity. Fishing access, the picnic area, and the water are still accessible. The loop trail around the lake is closed due to the bridge washout, but getting to the lake itself is not affected.

    Is Elfendahl Pass suitable for families with trailers?

    Yes. The staging area accommodates approximately 50 vehicles with trailer pull-through space for rigs hauling ATVs, bikes, or boats. It’s the primary staging area for both motorized and non-motorized trail access.

    How much of the Tahuya trail network is currently accessible this spring?

    The majority of Tahuya’s trail system is open in spring 2026. Current closures affect the Howell Lake Loop Trail (bridge washout) and portions of several trails under active timber operations. Elfendahl Pass and its connected trail network remain available. Check dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya for the current closure map before your trip.

  • Tahuya State Forest Spring 2026: Trail Access Guide for North Mason Families, Riders, and Hikers

    Tahuya State Forest Spring 2026: Trail Access Guide for North Mason Families, Riders, and Hikers

    Tahuya State Forest sits 3.5 miles west of Belfair on SR-300, and on any given spring weekend you’ll find North Mason families loading ATVs, mountain bikes, and hiking boots at the Elfendahl Pass Staging Area. It’s one of the most-used backyards this community has — 23,000 acres of DNR-managed working forest with a multi-use trail system that draws riders, hikers, and families from across Mason and Kitsap counties.

    The 2026 season opened April 15 and runs through October 31. Most of the trail network is accessible. But several sections are currently closed, and knowing which ones before you drive out could save a frustrating Saturday.

    The Howell Lake Bridge Is Out

    The biggest single closure this spring is the Howell Lake Loop Trail, which is shut down due to a washed-out bridge. DNR has not announced a repair timeline. The lake and day-use area themselves remain accessible for non-motorized use year-round — if you’re heading out for fishing, a picnic, or a family swim day, you can still get to Howell Lake. But the loop trail that circuits the lake is impassable until bridge repairs are completed. Before planning around it specifically, a call to the DNR South Puget Sound Region office at (360) 825-1631 is worth the two minutes.

    Three Timber Sales Are Affecting Multiple Trails

    Active logging operations across three DNR timber sales — known as Trail Mix, Little Wrangler, and School — are causing temporary closures and access disruptions across a section of the trail network. Trails currently affected include Randy’s H2O Stop, Mission Creek, the 1.9 Mile trail, Hoof & Tail, and the Tahuya River Trail.

    This is normal for Tahuya. DNR manages these 23,000 acres as working forest to generate trust land revenue for Washington public schools, and timber sales rotate through different sections over time. What that means practically: the closure footprint shifts week to week as operations move. A trail blocked this weekend may be clear in a few weeks, and new sections can become active as well. Check before you go, every time.

    What’s Open and Accessible: Elfendahl Pass

    Despite the active closures, the majority of Tahuya’s trail system remains open this spring. The Elfendahl Pass Staging Area — the main trailhead hub for the forest — is open for the 2026 season with space for approximately 50 vehicles, including trailer pull-through capacity for rigs hauling ATVs or trailers.

    Getting there from Belfair: take SR-300 west 3.5 miles → right on Belfair-Tahuya Road for 1.9 miles → right on Elfendahl Pass Road for 2.3 miles. The staging area is the entry point for the bulk of the open trail network.

    The Tahuya trail system is multi-use, meaning you’ll find both motorized (ATVs, dirt bikes, 4×4) and non-motorized (mountain bikes, hikers) users sharing the system on different designated routes. Know your designated zone before you ride or hike — the March 2025 DNR trail map at dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya breaks this out clearly.

    How to Check Before You Go

    Trail conditions in Tahuya can shift quickly as logging operations relocate and spring weather affects access. The best practice is to verify current status every time:

    • Official DNR page: dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya — current closure alerts, trail map updates, and campground information
    • Phone: (360) 825-1631 — DNR South Puget Sound Region office (often more current than the website for active timber operations)

    The Bigger Picture: Tahuya as Working Forest

    The closures and disruptions are worth understanding in context. Tahuya State Forest is not a dedicated recreation preserve — it’s a working forest where timber production and recreation coexist. DNR manages it specifically to generate revenue for Washington’s K-12 school trust lands, which means active logging is part of how the forest is supposed to function. Temporary trail closures are a predictable feature of that model, not an anomaly.

    For the North Mason community, that also means the forest’s recreational value is protected long-term by the same management structure that makes parts of it temporarily inaccessible. The trail network exists because DNR sees recreational access as compatible with its working forest mission.

    For a broader look at environmental stewardship in the Tahuya watershed, see the Belfair Bugle’s coverage of the Tahuya River Preserve’s 190-acre expansion and salmon restoration work. And if you’re planning a full day out that includes Hood Canal, our Hood Canal summer 2026 planning guide has the verified information for crab, shellfish, and camping.

    Frequently Asked Questions: Tahuya State Forest Spring 2026

    Can I still access Howell Lake if the loop trail is closed?

    Yes. Howell Lake and its day-use area remain accessible for non-motorized recreation year-round. The closure applies specifically to the Howell Lake Loop Trail due to a washed-out bridge. The lake itself, fishing access, and the picnic area are open. Contact DNR at (360) 825-1631 for current access details.

    What is the 2026 season for Tahuya State Forest?

    DNR gates at Tahuya are open from April 15 through October 31, 2026. Some areas including Howell Lake are accessible year-round for non-motorized use regardless of the gate season. Motorized access generally follows the gated season.

    Where do I park for Tahuya State Forest trails?

    The main staging area is Elfendahl Pass, which handles approximately 50 vehicles with trailer pull-through capacity. From Belfair: SR-300 west 3.5 miles → right on Belfair-Tahuya Road 1.9 miles → right on Elfendahl Pass Road 2.3 miles. A second staging area is located at Mission Creek.

    Are the timber sale trail closures at Tahuya permanent?

    No. Active timber sale closures are temporary — they shift as logging operations move through different sections of the forest. A trail closed today may reopen in a few weeks. Check dnr.wa.gov/GreenMountainTahuya for current closure status before any trip.

    Is Tahuya State Forest open to both motorized and non-motorized users?

    Yes. The trail system is multi-use, with designated routes for motorized users (ATVs, dirt bikes, 4×4) and non-motorized users (hikers, mountain bikers). The DNR trail map shows the designated zones for each user type.

  • Belfair Sewer Study and PUD 3 Cloquallum Fiber: What Mason County Business Owners Need to Know

    Belfair Sewer Study and PUD 3 Cloquallum Fiber: What Mason County Business Owners Need to Know

    Two infrastructure developments unfolding in Mason County this month carry direct implications for businesses operating in or considering the county — one with a deadline in 23 days, the other shaping Belfair’s long-term commercial capacity for years to come.

    Rural Businesses on Cloquallum Road: The May 31 Fiber Window

    For any business operating along the Cloquallum Road corridor in north Mason County — whether a home-based operation, agricultural business, or service provider — PUD 3’s construction application deadline is a genuine business decision, not just a household convenience.

    Mason County PUD No. 3 completed the Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood mainline on February 10, 2026, making gigabit fiber available to more than 680 properties along Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, and the Cloquallum Road Fiberhood. The $250 construction application fee is waived through May 31, 2026. After that date, businesses pay full price. Gigabit speeds on the PUD 3 open-access network mean 1,000/1,000 Mbps symmetrical — roughly 667 times faster than the existing 1.5 Mbps legacy service in the corridor.

    For businesses that rely on cloud software, conduct video consultations, process remote transactions, or manage any operations requiring consistent upload bandwidth — the kind of work that’s become standard across agriculture-tech, real estate, professional services, and home-based enterprises — this is the connectivity infrastructure that makes those activities viable from a Mason County rural address. Apply at pud3.org before May 31 to avoid the $250 fee.

    Belfair Sewer: What the Bremerton MOU Means for the Puget Sound Industrial Center

    The revised memorandum of understanding Mason County commissioners signed with the City of Bremerton in February 2026 is directly relevant to any business at or near the Puget Sound Industrial Center in north Belfair — and to any investor or developer watching the commercial corridor between Belfair and the Kitsap-Mason county line.

    The MOU contemplates extending Belfair sewer service to the PSIC. The revised agreement requires Bremerton to pay Mason County’s share of a comprehensive feasibility study before any work begins. That study must cover preliminary engineering and a full financial evaluation — capital, operational, and long-term cost implications for Mason County ratepayers. If Bremerton pays, the study runs 180 days. Commissioners then have 90 days to decide whether extending service is in the county’s best interest.

    For businesses at the PSIC or nearby, the practical implication is this: sewer capacity expansion into that corridor is a multi-year process at best, and it is contingent on a commissioner decision that explicitly weighs ratepayer fairness. The timeline is not 12 months. A more realistic planning horizon, assuming the study begins soon, puts any potential expansion decision into late 2026 or 2027 — and that assumes commissioner approval, which is not guaranteed given the public opposition the original MOU faced.

    Why Mason County Businesses Should Track This

    Sewer availability is a hard constraint on certain categories of commercial development. Industrial operations, food processing, healthcare facilities, and high-density commercial uses all require confirmed wastewater capacity before permitting can proceed. The Belfair WWRF’s documented structural issues — a suspected sinkhole flagged by the Department of Ecology in 2016 that has not been fully remediated — add a layer of uncertainty that makes “wait for the study” the only honest answer to capacity questions for now.

    The Squaxin Island Tribe consultation required under the MOU also means tribal government input is a formal part of the process. The Belfair WWRF sits within the tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing area, and the Coulter Creek salmon habitat implications of expansion will be part of any tribal review. That process adds time and is not a formality.

    For business owners who want to follow the process: the Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee is the primary public venue, alongside Mason County commissioner sessions. For context on Mason County’s broader infrastructure investment picture, see the full infrastructure update and Mason County Business Owner’s Guide to PUD 3 Fiber.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can a business in the Puget Sound Industrial Center connect to Belfair sewer today?

    Current Belfair sewer service is limited by existing capacity and the WWRF’s documented structural concern. Expansion to the Puget Sound Industrial Center is under study — no decision has been made. Businesses considering PSIC locations should factor multi-year uncertainty on sewer availability into their planning and consult Mason County Public Works directly about current connection eligibility at specific addresses.

    How does PUD 3 gigabit fiber benefit rural Mason County businesses specifically?

    Gigabit fiber provides 1,000 Mbps symmetrical connectivity — enabling cloud-based operations, video conferencing, remote point-of-sale, agricultural IoT sensors, and high-bandwidth data uploads that are not viable on 1.5 Mbps legacy service. For businesses operating from rural Mason County addresses, it removes connectivity as a limiting factor for most commercial applications. Apply before May 31 at pud3.org to avoid the $250 construction application fee.

    When might Belfair sewer expansion to the PSIC actually be decided?

    If Bremerton initiates payment for the feasibility study promptly, the 180-day study period runs through roughly late 2026. Mason County commissioners then have 90 days to decide — putting a final decision at earliest in early-to-mid 2027. That timeline assumes no delays, no appeal processes, and a positive commissioner vote. Businesses should plan for this as a 2027-or-later development at the earliest.

    Is there a Mason County resource for tracking Belfair sewer developments?

    Yes. The Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee publishes meeting agendas, minutes, and project updates at masoncountywa.gov/ac/belfair-sewer/. Mason County commissioner public meeting agendas are posted at masoncountywa.gov. These are the two primary venues where Belfair sewer decisions will be made and documented.

  • What the Bremerton Sewer Deal Means for Belfair Homeowners and Ratepayers

    What the Bremerton Sewer Deal Means for Belfair Homeowners and Ratepayers

    If you’re a property owner in or near Belfair — or if you’re currently connected to the Belfair sewer system — the revised memorandum of understanding Mason County commissioners signed with the City of Bremerton in February 2026 is worth understanding. Nothing has been decided yet. But the direction of this agreement, and the structural questions it carries, will shape what Belfair’s wastewater infrastructure looks like for the next generation of ratepayers.

    What the Revised MOU Actually Changes

    The original MOU between Mason County and Bremerton contemplated potential sewer service to the Puget Sound Industrial Center, a business corridor in north Belfair. That agreement drew vocal opposition from Belfair residents and sewer customers who argued that extending capacity to serve Bremerton’s industrial interests — while existing infrastructure issues remain unresolved — was not in their interest as ratepayers.

    The revised version signed in February 2026 addresses that concern directly: Bremerton must now pay Mason County’s full share of a comprehensive feasibility study before any work begins. Both parties have agreed to a study that includes preliminary engineering and a financial evaluation of all capital, operational, and long-term costs. If Bremerton initiates payment, the study must be completed within 180 days. Mason County commissioners then have 90 days to determine whether proceeding is in the best interest of county ratepayers. If commissioners decide it’s not, the expansion does not move forward regardless of the study’s findings.

    The Structural Issue That Hasn’t Gone Away

    The Belfair Wastewater Reclamation Facility carries a documented structural concern — a suspected sinkhole first flagged by the Washington State Department of Ecology in 2016 — that Mason County has not fully remediated. That means any conversation about expanding sewer capacity to serve new customers is happening against a backdrop of unresolved infrastructure risk at the existing facility.

    For current Belfair sewer customers, this raises a straightforward question: should the system take on additional customers and operational complexity before its own structural vulnerabilities are addressed? The feasibility study is supposed to answer the financial dimension of that question. The structural dimension is tracked separately through the county’s ongoing relationship with the Department of Ecology.

    Tribal Consultation and Coulter Creek

    The Belfair WWRF sits within the usual and accustomed fishing area of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Any expansion of the facility has potential implications for salmon habitat in Coulter Creek, which drains into the headwaters of Hood Canal near Belfair. The revised MOU requires Mason County to consult with Squaxin Island Tribe representatives before making any final decision on sewer expansion. For property owners near Coulter Creek or with property in or around the north Belfair drainage basin, this is a factor that could affect permitting and timelines for any expansion-adjacent development.

    What Property Owners Should Watch For

    The immediate trigger to track: does Bremerton initiate payment for the feasibility study? That single action starts the 180-day clock. Once the study is running, the venues to watch are Mason County commissioner briefings, the Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee, and public meetings required under the MOU process.

    If you are considering purchasing property near the Belfair sewer corridor or connecting an existing property to the sewer system, the outcome of this feasibility process is relevant to your planning timeline. For background on this story and the fiber project also affecting Mason County infrastructure right now, see the full Mason County infrastructure update. For broader Mason County infrastructure context, see Mason County PUD 1 Rate Change and Water System Upgrades.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Could the Bremerton sewer expansion raise rates for existing Belfair customers?

    That question is exactly what the feasibility study is designed to answer. The study will evaluate financial impacts including capital, operational, and long-term costs to Mason County ratepayers. Commissioners are explicitly required to determine that expansion is in the best interest of current ratepayers before any agreement to proceed. If the study shows rate impacts that commissioners consider unfavorable to existing customers, they can and should decline to move forward.

    What is the sinkhole concern at the Belfair WWRF?

    The Washington State Department of Ecology flagged a suspected sinkhole at the Belfair Wastewater Reclamation Facility in 2016. Mason County has been monitoring this structural issue, but as of early 2026, full remediation has not been completed. The concern relates to the storage pond at the facility. This issue predates the Bremerton discussions and is tracked separately through Mason County’s relationship with the DOE.

    Can the Bremerton sewer expansion be blocked even after the feasibility study?

    Yes. Under the revised MOU, Mason County commissioners have 90 days after the study’s completion to determine whether proceeding is in the best interest of county ratepayers. A negative determination ends the expansion process regardless of the study’s findings. The commissioner vote is a genuine decision point, not a rubber stamp, and will be subject to public input through the Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee process.

    How can Belfair property owners participate in the sewer expansion decision process?

    The primary public venue is the Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee, which holds regular meetings and can be tracked at masoncountywa.gov/ac/belfair-sewer/. Mason County commissioner sessions are public and can be attended in person in Shelton or monitored through masoncountywa.gov. Written comments to the Board of County Commissioners are part of the formal process for decisions of this scale.

  • May 31 Deadline: Mason County’s Cloquallum Road Residents Have 23 Days to Lock In Free Gigabit Fiber

    May 31 Deadline: Mason County’s Cloquallum Road Residents Have 23 Days to Lock In Free Gigabit Fiber

    If you live off Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, or anywhere along the Cloquallum Road corridor in north Mason County, you have 23 days to lock in something your neighborhood has waited years for — and it costs nothing if you act before May 31, 2026.

    Mason County Public Utility District No. 3 completed the mainline fiber network for the Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood on February 10, 2026. The next step is individual property connections — and the $250 construction application fee that normally covers your drop installation is waived entirely through May 31. After that date, the fee is back in full and there are no exceptions.

    What the Application Actually Does

    Submitting a construction application tells PUD 3 you want a fiber drop installed to your property. That drop is the physical cable that runs from the PUD 3 mainline network on your road to your home or business. Once your drop is installed and active, you choose a retail internet service provider (ISP) from the multiple options available on PUD 3’s open-access fiber network and sign up for service at approximately $85 per month.

    The application itself is not a service contract — it’s a request for the physical connection. You’re not locked into a provider. PUD 3 owns the fiber infrastructure; ISPs compete to sell service over it. You can switch providers at any time without a new installation.

    What Changes When Gigabit Arrives

    Current broadband in the Cloquallum Road corridor runs at roughly 1.5 Mbps — legacy infrastructure that predates streaming video, remote work, and cloud-based applications. To give that context: a single standard Netflix stream requires 3 Mbps. A 4K stream requires 25 Mbps. A household with one person video-conferencing, one person streaming, and one gaming simultaneously is fighting over 1.5 Mbps total.

    PUD 3 gigabit fiber delivers 1,000 Mbps in both directions simultaneously. That is not a small upgrade — it is a fundamental change in what is possible from a rural Mason County property. Work from home becomes viable. Video calls are stable. Cloud backups, smart home devices, and streaming services all work without conflict. For property owners, studies of comparable rural broadband deployments consistently show fiber availability as a property value factor — especially as remote workers increasingly prioritize connectivity alongside acreage and school access.

    How to Apply Before May 31

    If you received a letter from PUD 3 with your address listed as eligible, follow the application instructions in the letter or go directly to pud3.org. If you live in the Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, or Cloquallum Road Fiberhood area and did not receive a letter, that does not necessarily mean you are ineligible — contact PUD 3 directly before May 31 to verify your address. The project area runs from west of Bear Trap Boulevard east toward Rock Creek Road.

    For more on how PUD 3’s Fiberhood model works and what the broader Mason County fiber buildout looks like, see When Is Fiber Internet Coming to My Mason County Neighborhood? and the full Mason County infrastructure update.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I have to commit to a service provider when I submit the PUD 3 construction application?

    No. The construction application requests your physical fiber drop connection — the cable from the mainline to your property. Choosing an ISP and signing up for service is a separate step that happens after your drop is installed. PUD 3’s open-access model means multiple providers compete on the same fiber, and you can switch providers at any time without a new installation.

    What happens if I miss the May 31, 2026 PUD 3 deadline?

    After May 31, the $250 construction application fee is no longer waived. You can still apply and get fiber installed, but you will owe the full $250 upfront at the time of application. The mainline fiber in your area will remain in place — this deadline is specifically about the fee waiver, not about the availability of fiber service in your area.

    I didn’t get a letter from PUD 3. Does that mean I’m not eligible?

    Not necessarily. PUD 3 mails letters to addresses on its eligibility list, but some properties may be in the service area without having received a letter due to mailing database gaps. Contact Mason County PUD No. 3 directly through pud3.org or visit their Shelton office before May 31 to verify your address’s eligibility. Don’t assume you’re excluded without checking.

    How much does PUD 3 gigabit fiber cost per month in Mason County?

    Monthly service through PUD 3’s open-access fiber network runs approximately $85 per month. Because multiple retail ISPs offer service on the same PUD 3 infrastructure, rates may vary slightly by provider. The $85 figure is the benchmark for the open-access network; check pud3.org for the current ISP options and their specific pricing in the Cloquallum area once your drop is installed.

  • PUD 3 Cloquallum Fiber May 31 Deadline and Belfair Sewer Study Moves Forward — Mason County Infrastructure Update

    PUD 3 Cloquallum Fiber May 31 Deadline and Belfair Sewer Study Moves Forward — Mason County Infrastructure Update

    Two infrastructure decisions are shaping Mason County’s future right now — one with a hard deadline in 23 days, the other with a clock that starts only when Bremerton writes a check. If you live along the Cloquallum Road corridor, the May 31 deadline is the most time-sensitive infrastructure opportunity your neighborhood has seen in years. If you’re a Belfair resident or business owner, the Bremerton sewer agreement is worth watching closely through the rest of 2026.

    Act Before May 31: Free Fiber Applications Closing on Cloquallum Road

    More than 680 homes and businesses along the Cloquallum Road corridor in north Mason County are now eligible to apply for high-speed gigabit fiber internet — and the window to do it for free closes May 31, 2026.

    Mason County Public Utility District No. 3 completed the mainline network for the Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood on February 10, 2026, connecting the Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, and Cloquallum Fiberhoods areas to the PUD 3 backbone. Now PUD 3 is collecting construction applications from individual property owners — the step that triggers installation of the final drop connection to each home or business.

    The fee PUD 3 normally charges for that construction application is $250. That fee is waived entirely through May 31, 2026. After that date, anyone who applies pays the full $250 upfront, no exceptions. PUD 3 has set this deadline to give the project’s contractor a firm installation schedule — once the application window closes, crews begin sequencing drops along the corridor.

    The upgrade these applications unlock is substantial. Current broadband speeds in the Cloquallum Road area run roughly 1.5 Mbps on legacy infrastructure — barely enough for a single video call. PUD 3’s gigabit fiber delivers 1,000/1,000 Mbps symmetrical speeds, among the fastest residential broadband available in Washington state. Monthly service through PUD 3’s open-access fiber network runs approximately $85 per month.

    That “open access” model is important to understand. PUD 3 builds and owns the physical fiber infrastructure, but multiple retail internet service providers can offer service over the same cable. Residents choose their provider — and can switch without a new installation. The model has already connected more than 3,000 homes and businesses across Mason County through prior PUD 3 Fiberhood builds, including the Three Fingers project completed in early 2026.

    The Cloquallum project was funded in part through an American Rescue Plan Act grant awarded to PUD 3 by the Washington State Broadband Office in late 2023. Phase 1 wrapped in July 2025, bringing fiber to the Lake Arrowhead, Star Lake, Bulb Farm, and Lost Lake areas near Cloquallum Road. Phase 2 — the current application round — covers Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, and the broader Cloquallum Road Fiberhood running from west of Bear Trap Boulevard east toward Rock Creek Road.

    Property owners who have received a PUD 3 announcement letter should apply immediately at pud3.org. Those in the project area who have not received a letter should contact PUD 3 directly to verify eligibility before May 31.

    Belfair Sewer: Bremerton Must Pay Before the Study Starts

    About 20 miles to the south, Mason County commissioners signed off in February 2026 on a revised memorandum of understanding with the City of Bremerton regarding potential sewer service to the Puget Sound Industrial Center — a business corridor in north Belfair. The key revision: Bremerton must pay Mason County’s share of a comprehensive feasibility study before any work begins.

    Under the updated MOU, both parties agreed to a full feasibility study including preliminary engineering and a financial evaluation of capital, operational, and long-term costs. The study must be completed within 180 days of Bremerton’s payment. Commissioners then have 90 days to determine whether proceeding is in the best interest of county ratepayers.

    The context matters. The Belfair Wastewater Reclamation Facility has carried a documented structural concern — a suspected sinkhole first flagged by the Washington State Department of Ecology in 2016 — that the county has not fully remediated. Extending capacity to serve Bremerton’s industrial interests while that issue remains open drew significant debate when commissioners considered the original agreement. The revised MOU requires Mason County to consult with the Squaxin Island Tribe before any final decision on expansion, given that the Belfair WWRF sits within the tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing area and any expansion carries potential implications for salmon habitat in Coulter Creek.

    If Bremerton pays, the study clock starts and a 180-day analysis begins. If Bremerton does not pay, the question of Belfair’s long-term wastewater capacity remains unresolved indefinitely. Mason County residents and businesses near the Belfair sewer system can track developments at the Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee page.

    What to Watch

    For Cloquallum Road area residents: May 31 is a firm deadline with a real dollar amount attached — $250 saved or $250 spent, depending on when you submit your application. Visit pud3.org or call Mason County PUD No. 3’s Shelton office to confirm your eligibility and get your application in.

    For Belfair: the sewer story moves at Bremerton’s pace for now. The next trigger is Bremerton initiating payment — at that point a 180-day clock begins, and public briefings, commissioner sessions, and Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee meetings will become the venues to watch. For background on PUD 3’s broader fiber buildout across Mason County, see When Is Fiber Internet Coming to My Mason County Neighborhood? and Three Fingers Fiber Complete: Mason County Infrastructure Update May 2026.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the May 31, 2026 deadline for PUD 3 Cloquallum fiber?

    Mason County PUD No. 3 has waived the standard $250 construction application fee for property owners in the Cloquallum Road corridor Fiberhood areas through May 31, 2026. After that date, the full $250 fee applies to any new application. Submitting before the deadline locks in free installation processing for eligible homes and businesses in the Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, and Cloquallum Road Fiberhood areas.

    How fast will PUD 3 Cloquallum fiber internet be?

    PUD 3’s gigabit fiber delivers symmetrical 1,000/1,000 Mbps speeds — meaning 1 Gbps both downloading and uploading. Current legacy broadband speeds in the Cloquallum Road corridor run approximately 1.5 Mbps. Monthly service through PUD 3’s open-access network costs approximately $85 per month, with multiple retail internet service providers available to choose from on the same fiber infrastructure.

    Who is eligible for the Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood application?

    Property owners and tenants in the Wivell Road, Loertscher Road, and Cloquallum Road Fiberhood areas of north Mason County are eligible. PUD 3 mailed announcement letters to eligible addresses. If you live in the project area and did not receive a letter, contact Mason County PUD No. 3 directly through pud3.org to verify your address’s eligibility before the May 31 deadline.

    What is the Belfair sewer MOU with Bremerton about?

    Mason County commissioners revised a memorandum of understanding with the City of Bremerton in February 2026 regarding potential sewer service to the Puget Sound Industrial Center, a business corridor in north Belfair. The revised agreement requires Bremerton to pay upfront for a comprehensive feasibility study — including preliminary engineering and financial analysis — before any expansion work begins. If Bremerton pays, the study must be completed within 180 days; commissioners then have 90 days to decide whether to proceed.

    Will the Bremerton sewer deal increase rates for existing Belfair customers?

    No decision on sewer service expansion has been made — the feasibility study (which Bremerton must fund) is the first step. The study will evaluate financial impacts including capital, operational, and long-term costs to Mason County. Commissioners are required to determine whether proceeding is in the best interest of current county ratepayers before any expansion agreement can move forward. Ratepayer impact will be a central issue in those deliberations.

    Why does the Belfair sewer expansion require tribal consultation?

    The Belfair Wastewater Reclamation Facility sits within the usual and accustomed fishing area of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Any expansion of the system has the potential to affect salmon habitat in Coulter Creek. Under the revised MOU, Mason County is required to consult with Squaxin Island Tribe representatives before making any final decisions on sewer service expansion to the Puget Sound Industrial Center.

  • What 15 Years and $350 Million Built: The Port of Everett Story That Other Cities Are Now Studying

    What 15 Years and $350 Million Built: The Port of Everett Story That Other Cities Are Now Studying

    What does a successful waterfront transformation actually look like? The Port of Everett spent 15 years and $350 million finding out — surviving a developer bankruptcy, a recession, and its own false starts. Today, Cascadia Daily News named it the regional blueprint other cities are studying. Here is the full story of how Everett got here, and what comes next.

    A Major Pacific Northwest Outlet Just Called Port of Everett the Waterfront Model

    Cascadia Daily News, the Pacific Northwest’s most-read regional outlet, published a deep feature today as part of its four-part “Sea Change” series examining waterfront redevelopment across Western Washington. Part two focuses entirely on the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place — and it positions Everett as the benchmark that other ports, including Bellingham, are now studying.

    The headline says it plainly: “After a bankrupt developer and broken promises, Port of Everett is realizing its waterfront vision.” The subheading: “15 years and $350 million turned 65-acre windfall into restaurants, housing and marine trades.”

    For those of us who live here, it’s easy to take the waterfront for granted. A Thursday evening in the rain, there’s still a line out the door at Tapped Public House. Families are walking the esplanade. Boats are in the marina. But to understand what we’re actually standing on, it helps to know the story of how this almost never happened — and the lessons Everett is now teaching to other communities wrestling with the same questions.

    The Bankruptcy That Changed Everything

    In 2005, the Port of Everett made what seemed like a reasonable bet. It sold 65 acres of prime north marina waterfront land to Maritime Trust Co., a Chicago-based developer, for a planned $400 million mixed-use redevelopment. The vision: 600 housing units, retail, office space, boat moorage, and light industrial boat businesses on land that had been dominated by mills and fishing since Everett’s founding.

    Maritime Trust had development capabilities, but Lisa Lefeber — now the Port of Everett’s executive director, then a communications specialist — says the firm never quite got Everett. Some of their conceptual ideas drew on Vancouver’s Granville Island for inspiration, which she described as “a disconnect” from what this community actually was.

    Then 2008 happened. Maritime Trust lost its main financier, Merrill Lynch, when the Great Recession hit. The developer filed for bankruptcy. The Port of Everett spent years in federal bankruptcy court to win back those 65 acres — land that had once been theirs, land that the community had entrusted them to steward well.

    By 2012, the port had the land back. And a decision to make.

    The Pivot That Made the Difference: No Master Developer

    The most important strategic choice the Port of Everett made after the bankruptcy wasn’t a design decision. It was a control decision: this time, the port would not sell the land. It would retain ownership, lease to tenants and developers, and remain the anchor of the waterfront’s direction.

    “When you don’t control the property, you don’t control how the site is used in terms of housing,” Lefeber told Cascadia Daily News. Maritime Trust, she noted, had wanted to turn the waterfront into “a private residential development” — the antithesis of why Washington state ports were created in the first place.

    The port also made another unconventional move: it built out streets and utilities across the waterfront before tenants arrived. The goal was to “show value and proof of concept” and draw in the first housing development. It worked. The infrastructure investment de-risked the site for private partners and gave developers something tangible to build against.

    The third shift was community engagement. Rather than hand the vision to an outside firm, the port went back to Everett residents to ask what they actually wanted. “We want it all,” Lefeber said in the CDN feature, describing the port’s philosophy. “We want industry. We want a place for people and families to be able to play and work and live. One of our big philosophies is a working waterfront.”

    What $350 Million Built

    Fifteen years and $350 million later — $175 million from private partners (hotel and apartment construction) and $175 million from a mix of federal grants, state funding, and Port of Everett financing and revenue — Waterfront Place encompasses five districts on and around the north marina.

    Fisherman’s Harbor anchors the public-facing side: the “Restaurant Row” building with Tapped Public House, Rustic Cork, The Net Shed, Menchie’s, and Marina Azul is here, along with the Sawyer and Carling condo buildings, the Port’s administrative offices, and the hotel. The Craftsman District keeps more than 20 marine trades businesses — boat repair, storage, and service operations — embedded in the broader development. The state’s largest public marina sits steps from it all.

    Jeff LaLone, co-owner of Bayside Marine, which specializes in boat storage and service for vessels under 50 feet, told CDN what the environment has meant to his business: “Everybody does a good job of just trying to have a good, nice, beautiful place to come to. For me to sit at my desk and look out the window, I’m looking at the boats, and you can walk down the street and grab something to eat. It’s just really nice.”

    Jack Ng, owner of both Fisherman Jack’s and Muse Whiskey & Coffee Bar — the latter housed in the historic Weyerhaeuser building, complete with a private whiskey collection inside the building’s vintage vault — said he was drawn to the waterfront because of the port’s long-term vision. “That building is going to be a big icon piece. I just want to be part of the history.”

    Ng also serves as a port commissioner for the Port of South Whidbey, so he understands the economic development role from both sides: “They can help a small business grow. They’re not there to have 100 percent of return on the investment, and their investment is more for bringing jobs for the local economy.”

    The Honest Assessment: Still a Work in Progress

    Lefeber doesn’t oversell what’s been built. Giant piles of dirt and gravel are still visible. Signs point to what’s coming next. The Millwright District — the 10-acre inland extension of Waterfront Place — still needs to be built out. The plans call for more than 300 housing units and 125,000 square feet of office space, but the port is actively reconsidering that mix.

    “With the U.S. shift to remote work, it may not make sense to create a huge office building at the waterfront,” Lefeber said. The port is now asking: “Is there a better mix of balance? Like, do we look at 80,000 square feet of office, and then maybe a hotel?” The flexibility to revisit plans is part of the model — Waterfront Place is not locked into a master developer’s decade-old blueprint.

    Lefeber’s description of waterfront redevelopment has become something of a mantra: “It’s been a little bit of a roller-coaster. I always joke with anything waterfront redevelopment, it’s two steps forward, and then you get punched back through the wall.”

    The Alexa’s Café closure, the delayed Marina Azul opening, the long wait for Millwright Phase 2 to get moving — all of it fits the pattern. The progress is real, but it’s never linear.

    What Fully Built Looks Like: $8.6 Million a Year in Local Tax Revenue

    When Waterfront Place is complete across all five districts, the port projects $8.6 million a year in local sales tax revenue. That’s not a speculative forecast — it’s the mathematical outcome of the retail, restaurant, housing, and hospitality uses the port has already proven it can attract and sustain. The 3.4% retail vacancy rate across Snohomish County provides additional evidence that demand for this kind of space isn’t hypothetical.

    The Port of Everett’s $70 million 2026 budget includes continued waterfront infrastructure investment. The $11.25 million federal Pier 3 grant secured in April 2026 extends the same logic to the working seaport side: federal confidence in the Port of Everett’s management and vision is showing up in competitive grant awards.

    Why Bellingham — and the Rest of Washington — Is Watching

    The Cascadia Daily News “Sea Change” series is explicitly benchmarking Bellingham against Everett and other ports. The parallel is uncomfortable but accurate: Bellingham’s waterfront, like Everett’s in the early 2000s, has sat partially undeveloped for years while port officials, city officials, and community members debate what should go there. Some sections have sat empty for decades.

    What Everett’s story tells Bellingham — and any other community grappling with a waterfront opportunity — is that the critical decisions aren’t architectural. They’re about land control, infrastructure investment sequence, community authenticity, and patience with a 15-to-20-year timeline.

    The port retained ownership of the land rather than selling to a master developer. It built infrastructure before tenants arrived. It kept marine trades in the mix rather than prioritizing higher-margin residential. And it never lost sight of the fact that the waterfront belonged to the whole city, not just to the people who lived or worked there.

    That’s the lesson. And on a rainy Thursday evening in 2026, with a line out the door at Tapped and kids looking at the boats from the esplanade, it’s a lesson that appears to have worked.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much has been invested in Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place?

    More than $350 million has been invested in Waterfront Place over the past 15 years. Of that, $175 million came from private partners (hotel and apartment construction) and $175 million from a combination of federal and state grants and Port of Everett financing and revenue.

    Why did Port of Everett regain the waterfront land in 2012?

    In 2005, the Port sold 65 acres to Maritime Trust Co., a Chicago developer, for a planned $400 million redevelopment. After Maritime Trust lost its main financier (Merrill Lynch) in the 2008 recession, the firm filed for bankruptcy. The Port of Everett won back the land in federal bankruptcy court by 2012.

    What is the Millwright District at Port of Everett Waterfront Place?

    The Millwright District is the next 10-acre phase of Waterfront Place development. Plans call for more than 300 housing units and over 125,000 square feet of commercial/office space. The Port is currently reconsidering the office portion of the plan, potentially scaling it to 80,000 square feet and adding a hotel component instead.

    What will Waterfront Place generate in tax revenue when complete?

    When fully built out across all five districts, Waterfront Place is projected to generate $8.6 million per year in local sales tax revenue.

    What five districts make up Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place?

    Waterfront Place encompasses five districts: Fisherman’s Harbor (Restaurant Row, condos, hotel, Port offices), the Craftsman District (20+ marine trades businesses), the state’s largest public marina, Pacific Rim Plaza (public gathering space and art), and the emerging Millwright District. The working seaport with Pier 3 is located approximately 2 miles away.

    Why is Bellingham studying Port of Everett’s waterfront model?

    Cascadia Daily News’s “Sea Change” series (published May 7, 2026) selected Port of Everett as a case study for Bellingham because the two cities share parallel histories: both had prime waterfront acreage tied up by troubled development deals, and both faced community questions about the right balance between working waterfront and public-facing amenities. Bellingham is at the beginning of its redevelopment journey; Port of Everett shows what 15 years of sustained execution can produce.

  • Everett Police Is Getting a $327K Augmented Reality Training System — Funded Entirely by Federal Grant

    Everett Police Is Getting a $327K Augmented Reality Training System — Funded Entirely by Federal Grant

    Q: Is Everett Police getting augmented reality training technology?
    A: Yes. The Everett City Council is scheduled to approve a $327,573 purchase of an InVeris FATS AR augmented reality training system for EPD on May 13, 2026 — fully funded by a federal DOJ COPS grant, with no general fund money involved.

    Everett Police Department is set to receive a major training upgrade: a mobile augmented reality platform that projects digital subjects and threats into real physical spaces, letting officers practice de-escalation and crisis response scenarios in actual buildings, hallways, and parking lots — not just a shooting range.

    The Everett City Council is scheduled to approve a sole-source purchase of the InVeris FATS AR (Augmented Reality) Training System on May 13 as a consent agenda item. Total cost: $327,573.07 ($298,064.67 system cost plus $29,508.40 in tax). Funding source: a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice under the COPS FY25 Safer Outcomes program. No general fund money is involved.

    What the System Does

    The InVeris FATS AR system scans a real physical environment — a room, a corridor, a lobby — and overlays computer-generated characters into it. Officers see the actual space around them alongside digitally projected individuals they must interact with, de-escalate, or respond to in real time.

    According to the resolution cover sheet signed by Police Chief Robert Goetz, the system supports:

    • Multi-officer participation in the same scenario simultaneously
    • Real-time instructor control over how scenarios evolve — the instructor can introduce new elements, escalate or de-escalate situations, and change variables mid-exercise
    • Integrated after-action review with positional tracking, weapon orientation data, and performance analytics — so officers and instructors can review exactly what happened and why
    • BlueFire® smart weapon integration — training weapons communicate with the system, tracking how and when officers raise or use them

    The scenarios EPD is specifically targeting with the system: situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, behavioral health conditions, and other complex interactions “that require communication, decision-making, and peer intervention,” per the resolution.

    This directly connects to the department’s direction under Chief Goetz’s community policing strategy, which has emphasized de-escalation skill-building alongside enforcement. The AR system delivers that philosophy in a high-fidelity, data-recordable training environment where officers can fail safely, reset, and learn from what the system captured.

    Why It’s a Sole-Source Purchase

    The resolution asks the council to waive standard public bidding requirements. Under normal circumstances, contracts of this size go through competitive bidding. The justification here, per state law (RCW 39.04.280) and federal grant rules (2 CFR 200.320(c)): there is only one vendor that makes this system.

    The cover sheet states: “no other commercially available system meets the department’s operational requirements for multi-officer, real-world, augmented-reality training with integrated weapon functionality and instructor-controlled adaptability.”

    InVeris holds patents on the core technology — including real-world environment scanning, the BlueFire® weapon integration, and AI-driven scenario control — that competitors cannot replicate. EPD’s market research confirmed no alternative system qualifies.

    Sole-source purchases are reviewed and approved by the City Council case by case. Placing it on the consent agenda signals that city staff reviewed the sole-source documentation and found it meets the statutory threshold.

    The Federal Grant Behind It

    The COPS FY25 Safer Outcomes grant from the U.S. Department of Justice targets police departments investing in training and technology designed to reduce use-of-force incidents and improve officer-civilian outcomes.

    EPD’s grant application tied the InVeris AR system to Safer Outcomes priorities: crisis response, de-escalation, and officer decision-making training — particularly for encounters involving individuals in mental health or behavioral health situations.

    The grant covers the full system cost. Everett taxpayers are not paying for this purchase from the general fund.

    The approach aligns with a national trend in law enforcement training: moving from static range-and-role-player exercises toward immersive, data-rich scenario environments. AR lets EPD run more training sessions faster, reset immediately between scenarios, and accumulate a performance record over time that supports individual officer coaching.

    What Happens at the May 13 Meeting

    The InVeris resolution is on the consent agenda for May 13 — meaning it’s expected to pass as part of a block vote alongside routine items like claims payables and contract extensions. Consent items move without individual debate unless a council member pulls one for separate discussion.

    The May 13 meeting at City Hall begins at 6:30 p.m. The utility tax and rate ordinances are also on Wednesday’s agenda for their first readings. It is one of the more substantive midweek council sessions of the spring.

    What To Do Next

    • Watch the May 13 meeting: Live at YouTube.com/EverettCity, 6:30 p.m.
    • Read the resolution and grant materials: Available in the May 13 agenda packet at everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter.
    • Contact EPD: Police Chief Robert Goetz, RGoetz@everettwa.gov, 425-754-4540.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who is paying for this?

    The federal government, through a COPS FY25 Safer Outcomes grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The full $327,573.07 cost comes from the grant. Everett’s general fund is not used.

    What is InVeris FATS AR?

    FATS stands for Firearms Augmented Training System. The AR version projects digital characters into real physical environments, allowing officers to train in actual spaces — a building, a room, an outdoor area — rather than a dedicated simulation lab. The system is the only untethered AR training platform designed for law enforcement available in the current market.

    Why isn’t this put out to competitive bid?

    The City and EPD determined that InVeris is the only vendor with a commercially available AR training system meeting their requirements for multi-officer participation, real-world scanning, and integrated smart weapon functionality. Under state law and federal grant rules, a sole-source purchase is permitted when no alternative exists. The council reviews and approves the waiver.

    What kinds of scenarios will officers train on?

    Primarily de-escalation and crisis response, including encounters with individuals experiencing mental health crises or behavioral health episodes. The system records officer behavior for after-action review and coaching. The scenarios align with EPD’s COPS FY25 Safer Outcomes grant priorities.

    Has EPD used AR training before?

    The resolution does not reference prior AR training at EPD. This would be the department’s first InVeris FATS AR system.

    When will EPD have the system?

    The council is expected to approve the purchase on May 13, 2026. Delivery and installation timelines depend on InVeris’s production schedule following a purchase order.

  • Everett’s Utility Tax and Rate Bills Go to First Reading Wednesday — Final Vote May 27

    Everett’s Utility Tax and Rate Bills Go to First Reading Wednesday — Final Vote May 27

    Q: When will Everett vote on the utility tax?
    A: The Everett City Council is scheduled to hold the final vote on CB 2605-27 (utility tax) and CB 2605-26 (utility rates) on May 27, 2026. First reading is May 13. If both ordinances pass, the new rate structure takes effect August 1, 2026.

    The ordinances that would replace Everett’s 6% water-and-sewer payment with a 12% utility tax — and update the rate tables to match — are officially on Wednesday’s City Council agenda. Two companion bills, CB 2605-27 and CB 2605-26, go to first reading at 6:30 p.m. on May 13 at City Hall, 3002 Wetmore Ave.

    If both advance through three readings without amendment, the final vote lands May 27. Rate changes would take effect August 1, 2026 — about 11 weeks away. Here’s what each bill does and why it matters to your water bill.

    The Two Bills, Explained

    CB 2605-27: The Utility Tax Ordinance

    This bill replaces the City’s existing 6% payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) — a mechanism in place since a June 1, 1983 City Council resolution — with a 12% utility tax on the City’s water and sewer utility (Fund 401).

    The legal distinction matters: the PILOT was an internal transfer between city departments. A utility tax is a formal statutory charge under RCW 35.22.195 that shows up directly in rate calculations. The rate is doubling and the structure is changing simultaneously.

    According to the ordinance cover sheet, Finance Director Mike Bailey is the contact. The purpose, stated plainly in the bill: “to impose a 12% utility tax on the City’s water and sewer utility for the purpose of increasing revenue available for core City services.”

    CB 2605-26: The Rate Amendments

    This is the bill most residents will see on their monthly statement. It amends Everett’s established utility rates for 2025 through 2028 to account for the new utility tax, plus a $1 increase to the base filtration rate to allow the utility to retire some existing filtration debt ahead of schedule.

    The rate table in the ordinance shows what single-family sewer customers would pay each year:

    PeriodSingle Family Sewer (Monthly)
    2025$104.04
    2026 Jan–July$118.49
    2026 Aug–Dec$126.78 (if approved)
    2027$141.99
    2028+$158.51

    The August 2026 jump — from $118.49 to $126.78 — is roughly $8.29 more per month on sewer alone for a single-family home. Water and filtration rates are also amended; the full tables are in the ordinance. The City has previously estimated the total combined impact of the utility tax change at approximately $10.74 per month for a typical residential customer.

    Note: the bill’s rate table states that monthly charges “include Surface Water Quality Protection and Enhancement and the current state and city utility tax” — meaning the new rates are designed to be all-in figures once both ordinances pass.

    Why This Is Happening

    Everett is facing what city documents call a structural budget challenge: the cost of providing core services is growing faster than revenues. The projected 2027 general fund deficit has been pegged at approximately $14 million. The utility tax and rate changes are one lever the city is pulling to address it.

    Other levers under active discussion include potential regionalization of fire services through a regional fire authority (RFA), Sno-Isle library regionalization, a new levy lid lift, and annexation of the Mariner neighborhood — most of which require voter approval. The utility tax does not: it is a council-authorized charge under state law.

    The PILOT mechanism has been in place since 1983. Moving to a formal utility tax aligns Everett’s structure with how other Washington cities handle internal utility revenue transfers.

    What Happens Next

    The legislative timeline for both bills:

    • May 13: Briefing and 1st Reading (both bills)
    • May 20: 2nd Reading (CB 2605-26 public hearing also scheduled May 20)
    • May 27: 3rd and Final Reading — action vote on both ordinances

    Between now and May 27, residents can submit written public comments to the Everett City Council at council@everettwa.gov or by mail to 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 9A, Everett, WA 98201. Remote speakers can register via everettwa.gov/speakerform at least 30 minutes before each meeting.

    What Residents Should Know

    • No voter approval required. Unlike a levy lid lift, this is a council-only vote. There is no ballot measure.
    • Two bills, one outcome. CB 2605-27 (tax) and CB 2605-26 (rates) are companion ordinances. Both need to pass for the full rate structure to work as designed.
    • Outside-city customers are also affected. Everett operates a regional water system serving customers across much of Snohomish County. The rate ordinance covers outside-city rates as well.
    • The filtration rate increase is separate. The $1 base filtration increase included in CB 2605-26 accelerates debt retirement — a distinct financial item bundled into the same bill.
    • This has been in the works since at least April. The proposal first surfaced publicly in the City’s spring budget discussions and has been anticipated since the City disclosed its fiscal gap earlier this year.

    What To Do Next

    • Read the bills: CB 2605-27 and CB 2605-26 are available in the May 13 agenda packet at everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter.
    • Comment in writing: Email council@everettwa.gov before May 20 to ensure comments reach members ahead of the final vote.
    • Attend or watch: City Hall, 3002 Wetmore Ave., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Live stream at YouTube.com/EverettCity.
    • Register to speak remotely: everettwa.gov/speakerform, at least 30 minutes before the meeting.
    • Questions about the ordinance: Finance Director Mike Bailey at mbailey@everettwa.gov.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the utility tax rate being proposed?

    CB 2605-27 proposes a 12% utility tax on the City’s water and sewer utility, replacing the existing 6% payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) that has been in place since 1983.

    When would the new rates take effect if approved?

    August 1, 2026, per CB 2605-26.

    Does this require voter approval?

    No. A utility tax is a council-authorized charge under state law (RCW 35.22.195). The City Council votes on it; it does not go to a public ballot.

    How much will this add to a typical bill?

    The City has estimated approximately $10.74 per month for a typical residential customer. The rate ordinance shows single-family sewer rates going from $118.49 to $126.78 in August 2026 — about $8.29 more per month on that line alone. Water and filtration rate changes are in the full ordinance.

    Why is the City doing this now?

    Everett projects a roughly $14 million general fund deficit in 2027. The utility tax is one of several revenue-side measures under discussion. Unlike a levy lid lift or annexation vote, it doesn’t require voter approval — making it one of the faster-moving options available to the council.

    Who does this affect beyond Everett city limits?

    Everett operates a regional water system that serves customers across much of Snohomish County. The rate ordinance covers outside-city customer rates as well as city customers.

    Is there a public hearing?

    Yes — a public hearing on the rate ordinance (CB 2605-26) is scheduled for May 20, alongside the 2nd reading. Written comments can also be submitted to council@everettwa.gov at any time before the May 27 vote.

  • Mason County Roads — May 8, 2026

    Mason County Roads — May 8, 2026

    Published: May 8, 2026 · Sources: WSDOT, Mason County Public Works, Shelton-Mason County Journal · Check WSDOT live map →

    Active Alerts — Check Before You Drive

    No WSDOT-issued emergency closures or alerts found for Mason County highways as of this morning. For real-time conditions on your specific route, use these official sources directly:

    Major Projects — Current Status

    SR-3 Freight Corridor (Belfair Bypass)

    Status: Construction expected to begin 2026, completion targeted 2028 — but funding is under threat.

    The SR-3 Freight Corridor — the bypass that will route regional freight and commuter traffic around Belfair’s main corridor — has $48.3M secured and construction is planned to begin this year. However, Governor Ferguson’s proposed transportation budget would delay final funding from the 2027-29 biennium to 2031-33, effectively pushing completion years into the future.

    Mason County Commissioners sent a letter to House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey urging the Legislature to restore the funding on schedule, calling the delay “an economic, safety, and infrastructure issue with real and immediate consequences.” The corridor is designed to carry local trips, freight, emergency response, school buses, and commuter traffic on separate infrastructure rather than all competing on the same road through Belfair’s center.

    Source: Shelton-Mason County Journal, February 19, 2026

    Olympic Highway North — Shelton

    Status: Design phase. Construction not before summer 2027.

    The City of Shelton’s $6 million repaving project for Olympic Highway North — from C Street to Wallace Kneeland Boulevard — is in the design and public comment phase. The road hasn’t been paved in 37 years. Consultant Transpo Group is finalizing the preferred design following a March 10 community meeting where about 50 residents weighed in on four layout options, including roundabout and bike lane configurations.

    Timeline: Final design expected to be completed this winter. Project goes out for bid in spring 2027. Construction could begin summer 2027. The project is funded by two grants including a $3.7 million grant from the state Transportation Improvement Board.

    Source: Shelton-Mason County Journal, March 19, 2026 · City of Shelton project page

    SR-3 Safety Improvements — Shelton (Craig Road to Arcadia Road)

    Status: Pre-design. No construction date set yet.

    WSDOT is planning roundabouts at Craig Road, Mill Creek Road, and Arcadia Road on SR-3 in Shelton, along with a center median to reduce left-turn conflicts and encourage safer speeds. A public comment period closed April 6. No construction timeline has been announced — this is still in pre-design. Watch WSDOT’s project page for updates.

    SR-3 Belfair Area — Widening Near Romance Hill

    Status: Ongoing widening project.

    This project extends the center turn lane and adds paved shoulders and sidewalks on both sides of SR-3 from milepost 25.3 to 27 near Belfair. Work has involved overnight lane realignments near Romance Hill. Check the WSDOT travel map for current lane status.

    Commuter Notes for Today

    • SR-3 through Belfair: No emergency closures reported. Standard congestion expected during school and commute hours at Belfair’s main intersection.
    • US-101 through Shelton/Kamilche: No active alerts this morning. Check WSDOT alerts for any weather-related changes.
    • SR-106 (Union/Belfair area): No active alerts. Permanent speed limit reduction near Union remains in effect — reduced from previous limit, watch signs through the Union section.

    Report a Road Issue

    If you see a problem on a state highway — pothole, signal outage, debris — report it directly:

    This briefing is published each morning using official WSDOT and Mason County Public Works sources. For the most current conditions at any moment, always check the WSDOT live map directly — road conditions change faster than any daily briefing can track.