Ronald Wastewater District Files Summary Judgment Motion on Public’s Right to Vote

Press release from Ronald Wastewater

Today, Ronald Wastewater District filed a summary judgment motion asking Superior Court Judge Barbara Linde to affirm the public’s right to decide its sewer provider. State law requires a city that does not currently operate a sewer utility to obtain voter approval before getting into the sewer business.  RCW 35.92.070.

“In its Answer to the District’s lawsuit, the City of Shoreline claims that the public has no right to vote on a City take over of sewer. In fact, the City asserts that it already operates a sewer system—something that might be a surprise to the citizens of Shoreline,” says Phil Talmadge, Ronald’s attorney and a former Justice of the State Supreme Court.

Mr. Talmadge successfully litigated this same issue in Spokane County, where the Superior Court declared that the City of Liberty Lake could not assume Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District without a public vote. “The City of Shoreline wants to assume the District but refuses to agree that the ultimate decision rests with the voters to whom both these public entities are responsible,” Talmadge added.

Ronald Wastewater District is a locally controlled municipal government that has provided sewer service to its ratepayers since 1951.

For further information about Ronald’s motion or litigation, please contact:

Phil Talmadge, Attorney at Law   

Talmadge/Fitzpatrick

1810 Southcenter Parkway

Tukwila, Washington 98188

(206) 574-6661

or

Joe Bennett

Hendricks – Bennett, PLLC

402 Fifth Avenue South

Edmonds, Washington 98020

(425) 775-2751