Read more below and Mark your calendar for a Community Meeting August 7th

on Sewer Rates, Water Quality, and Transportation Issues in Lakeside

LCWSD has tabled the decision to raise sewer rates.

But, it's not over.

We still need to hold them accountable to provide the requested documents, before they attempt to pass the rate increase without considering better solutions.

Residents from Lakeside packed the hearing room on July 15th at 2:00 pm to speak out against Lakeside County Water & Sewer District's (LCWSD) proposed sewer rate increases of as much as 60% and more,(and actually that is a 90% increase of just sewer rates as water rates are not being increased) despite the meeting being held mid-day. Many who could not attend signed the petition hosted by CBF in opposition of the rate increase. Together these residents were rightly insisting on release of basic District financial documents including missing audits, rate studies, capital improvement plans, transparent accounting of the existing capacity of each will- serve approval the district has issued for new services and continued expansion of the district, and even a current budget, which the District has yet to approve, be released to the public.

This lack of financial transparency by the district is raising serious questions about the potential mismanagement and financial stability of the District as the staff and board continue to withhold basic financial documents showing why the funds are need, how they will be used, and how many more rate increases are planned. Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting, spoke out or signed the petition! Your work and comments made a major difference.

While it was GREAT to see the Board tabled (did not vote on) Resolution 25-6, which would allow for the rate increase of 60% and more (and actually that is a 90% increase of just sewer rates) with a few courageous board members saying they did want more information in motioning to table their decision, BUT the Board can still pass the Rate increase at their next meeting on August 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm.

So it is very important that you continue to speak up and insist that the board release the requested financial information well in advance of their next August 19th board meeting as well as consider other options to keep your rates affordable.

Disappointingly, at its July 15th meeting the LCWSD Board did pass Ordinance 25-4, which we and many others opposed because it changes the historic way the Board has raised sewer rates by ordinance to a mere resolution. Under state law decisions made by the board by passing an ordinance can be repealed by ratepayers by putting the ordinance on the ballot for a vote by district ratepayers. Changing the procedure by which the Board approves rate increases to a resolution strips ratepayers of the current right of repealing an unjust rate increase by putting it to a District-wide vote.

This Community Information Meeting will be co-hosted by Citizens for a Better Flathead (CBF) and Upper West Shore Alliance (UWSA), and North Shore Water Alliance at the QRU (Quick Response Unit ) building at 201 Bills Rd in Lakeside, with panel presenters and the opportunity for questions and answers on two big Lakeside issues:

• Why Sewer Rate Increases Won't Protect Water Quality in Flathead Lake and Alternatives That Will, While Keeping Rates Low. CBF says we will be working to secure additional analysis of the financial solvency of the LCWSD for their proposed expansion and the fairness of current and proposed future rate increases on existing ratepayers in Lakeside and Somers. We will also be presenting more on alternatives and solutions that would be more protective of the water quality of Flathead Lake.

• Actions Needed to Address Serious Transportation Safety and Congestion Issues in Lakeside. UWSA says "Allowing for safe passage along Hwy 93 is of critical concern to residents. The Discovery Land projects, as well as other developments on the horizon will further exacerbate traffic congestion along Hwy 93. The Upper West Shore Alliance is extending invitations to Commissioner Randy Brodehl, representatives from Montana Department of Transportation and representatives from the Hwy 93 Polson to Somers Corridor Study to participate in this panel discussion. It is our hope that they will be available to participate and address concerns of community members."

Stay tune for more updates and details on this community meeting.

Feel free to just copy and paste the following messages into emails or to write your own to the LCWSD Board and the Flathead County Commissioners. Let them know you want more answers before they vote on increasing your sewer rates.

• Email the LCWSD Board at info@lcwsd.net and simply ask them to: Please release all financial documents requested at your July 15th hearing for ratepayer and public consideration immediately, and to take time to consider alternative solutions that don't require such a costly expansion and that are more protective of water quality and Flathead Lake. Please make these documents public with adequate and reasonable time for the public to review prior to the August 19th meeting or no vote should be taken until they are released and more public comment accepted on this new information.



• Email the Flathead County Commissioners collectively at cocontactus@flatheadcounty.gov or individually at Randy.Brodehl@flatheadcounty.gov and Brad.Abell@flatheadcounty.gov and Pam.Holmquist@flatheadcounty.gov simply ask them to: Please help ensure that Lakeside County Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) releases all District financial documents requested by the ratepayers and the public at the July 15th hearing for ratepayers including missing audits, rate studies, capital improvement plans, transparent accounting of the existing capacity of each will- serve approval the district has issued for new services and continued expansion of the district, and even a current budget. I want to know that the county is also holding LCWSD accountable for being transparent with its finances as the county is investing some $23 million in federal ARPA funds, which are funds from taxes payed by the public, into the LCWSD expansion project. Please ask that LCWSD make these documents public with adequate and reasonable time for the public to review prior to the August 19th LCWSD board meeting or that no vote should be taken until they are released.

Please share this update with your friends and neighbors as we don't have emails for everyone who signed the petitions or attended the hearing. Please email us at Citizens@Flatheadcitizens.org and include a name and phone number if you would like to be added to our email alerts about Lakeside issues.

Keep an eye out for CBF email updates on this issue and for the next steps on how we can hold LCWSD accountable.

• Read CBF's July 15th comments to the LCWSD Board here
• Read CBF's July 15th public handout here
• Read CBF's July 15th comments to the Flathead County Commissioners regarding their approval of a reimbursement to LCWSD for the rate study (which still has not been provided to the public) here

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