By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald

As the state Legislature wrapped up its 2004 session Thursday night, city of Enumclaw officials were holding their breath, awaiting word of a possible $1 million grant that would help pay for coming improvements to the municipal sewage treatment plant.

When the gavel finally sounded around midnight, Enumclaw's money was officially appropriated in the state's capital budget.

"It should happen fairly soon," state Sen. Pam Roach said, referring to the city's million-dollar gift.

Roach, a 31st District Republican whose territory includes all of Enumclaw, explained the money was initially in the Senate version of the 2004 spending plan, but didn't appear in the House budget. As chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Roach was able to assure the Enumclaw project remained in the Senate spending plan.

Roach explained the Legislature typically has a pot of federal money to distribute for public works projects. "There are communities all over the state vying for the funding," she said, explaining Enumclaw's project qualified for several reasons.

The city's wastewater treatment plant discharges into the White River, which is home to two species of fish on the endangered list, and that helped assure funding, Roach said. Also important is the fact Enumclaw has for several years had a moratorium on development, a situation that will be alleviated with upgrades to the plant.

Since city leaders opted to upgrade the existing plant, the price tag has grown to $16 million. The city has already secured a $9 million low-interest loan from the state's Public Works Trust Fund, and was figuring on borrowing the remaining $7 million. The state appropriation means a million less will be borrowed.

That's good news for city ratepayers, according to Public Works Director Chris Searcy, who explained any debt incurred for treatment plant improvements will be repaid through rates. Obtaining the state money means future rate increases will be slightly smaller, he said.

The entire issue of future sewer rates has been a point of contention during the last two City Council meetings. Council members have questioned the city strategy of waiting to increase rates, rather than slowly bumping up charges to prevent a startling increase in a couple of years.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com