Milton will appeal county flood district

The Milton City Council hopes to send a clear message to the Pierce County Council regarding their recent creation of a countywide Flood Control District Zone. 

In a unanimous vote, 7-0, Milton Councilmembers chose to invoke jurisdiction with the Pierce County Boundary Review Board (BRB), to stake the case as to why the city should not be included in the district. Deadline for filing appeals to the BRB is July 22. 

“We want to give them enough information to make an informed decision,” Milton Public Works Director Letticia Neal said. 

The cities of Lakewood and Eatonville have already filed appeals with the BRB this month.  The Flood Control District Zone was created to funnel funds into high-risk, flood-affected areas throughout low-lying Pierce County.

The funds would help pay for needed levy repair projects and other flood prevention capital projects. The county council has the authority to levy countywide taxes up to $0.50 per $1,000 assessed property value to pay for district projects. This means that Pierce County residents living in cities located in higher elevations could end up subsidizing flood control projects outside of their city.  

Last May, Neal testified against the creation of the district at a county council public hearing. She pointed to lack of public knowledge and no specific plan created to address flooding issues in the city. 

“I didn’t testify because I think it’s a bad idea,” Neal said. “I felt the citizens were not informed and there’s lack of information about the projects, including the cost and timeline for projects.”

Although no specifics were addressed by county councilmembers, Neal told council that preliminary flood district funds could be used on the lower Puyallup River levee. County Council has also discussed the possibility of creating “sub-basins,” which would tax cities higher if they are located in lower-lying flood prone areas.  Milton councilmembers fully supported appealing the district this month. 

“It’s a pretty drastic measure,” Councilmember Bryan Ott said. 

Mayor Pro Tem Bart Taylor told council he became ‘hot under the collar’ after reading the ordinance for the first time this week.  “It’s a tough situation for everyone, but our number one goal is to take care of the citizens of Milton,” Taylor said.  

The BRB is expected to set a public hearing date with no less than 30 days notice after the July 22 appeals deadline. A decision is expected 40 days following a public hearing.

Commenting rules