Chelan council adopts utility billing dispute ordinance, approves $1,999,184.16 consent agenda
The Chelan City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 13 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-1660, which establishes a utility billing dispute and administrative review process. The ordinance was one of eight items the council approved by unanimous vote that evening, including a consent agenda listing payroll checks, electronic fund transfers and accounts payable checks totaling $1,999,184.16.
The Oct. 13 meeting was the only one of the council's four sessions in the past two weeks at which substantive votes were taken. The Oct. 6, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 meetings were workshops.
Utility billing disputes
Ordinance No. 2026-1660 establishes a process for utility billing disputes and administrative review, according to the meeting summary. The summary does not describe the specific steps in that process or when it takes effect.
Payments and agreements
All items on the Oct. 13 agenda passed 7-0:
- Consent agenda, including payroll checks, EFTs, accounts payable checks totaling $1,999,184.16, and a board appointment.
- A professional services agreement with McKinstry Essention LLC for a golf course irrigation audit.
- Amendment No. 1 with Lakerider Sports LLC, extending a concession agreement through Dec. 31, 2027.
- A professional services agreement with Erlandsen and Associates Inc. for general engineering services, and a separate Erlandsen task order for an East Chelan Reservoir survey.
- Change Order No. 3 with J & K Earthworks for the SR150 Sewer Main Replacement project.
- Resolution No. 2026-1490, establishing a public works construction night shift salary differential for the Lift Station CC-1 project.
The summaries do not include dollar values for the individual agreements, the change order or the resolution.
Budget direction: Method No. 2
At an Oct. 15 workshop, the council directed staff to prepare the 2027 operating budget using Method No. 2, which the summary describes as involving revised cost allocations and reallocated investment interest revenue. The meeting adjourned on a 6-0 vote. No budget total was reported.
An earlier workshop on Oct. 8 covered the proposed 2027 budget, interfund methodologies and a departmental reorganization for Parks and Recreation. No substantive policy decisions or final votes were taken on those topics; the only recorded action was adjourning, 7-0.
Golf course and sign code
A Oct. 6 workshop reviewed proposals for management of the Lake Chelan Golf Course and a proposed update to the city's Sign Code. The session consisted of staff presentations and departmental reports, and no substantive decisions were made.
Coming up
- **Oct. 20 — City Council:** A special workshop on the 2027 budget, described as Budget Workshop No. 5, led by Finance Director Evans.
- **Oct. 21 — Planning Commission:** Review of the City of Chelan Comprehensive Plan 2026, including the public comment matrix and a revised review schedule. The commission is seeking direction on both.
- **Oct. 21 — Lake Chelan Sewer District:** A proposed transfer of Marita's Vineyard Estates sewer collection infrastructure and easements to the district for no charge; discussion of Lift Station No.1 Force Main Placement; Budget Amendment No.2; the 2027 Budget Proposal; and approval of Oct. 21 accounts payable and payroll.
All three sessions are listed as upcoming agendas. Items on those agendas have not been acted on.