SeaTac fulfills some of its solid waste responsibilities through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with King County which provides for the transfer stations and the disposal site used by all cities in the county except Seattle and Milton.

King County and the cities have been working together to extend the Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement of 1988.  The amended and restated ILA extends the original ILA by 12.5 years, from June 2028 through December 2040, which will keep rates lower by allowing for longer-term bonding for capital projects. 

The new ILA includes several significant enhancements over the original ILA.  It deals much more effectively with liability, establishing a protocol for payment of Environmental Liabilities, if and when they arise, including insurance and reserves.  The intent to protect both City and County general funds from Environmental Liabilities to the greatest extent feasible is explicit.  Other improvements over the original ILA include:

• Commitment to the continued involvement of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee (MSWAC)
• An expanded role for Cities in system planning, including long-term disposal alternatives and in establishing financial policies
• A dispute resolution process, which includes non-binding mediation
• An acknowledgement that solid waste facilities are regional facilities and host cities and neighboring cities may receive mitigation for impacts

The SeaTac City Council is scheduled to receive a presentation on the new ILA at its January 22nd Council Study Session.  Council action is anticipated at the February 12th Regular Council Meeting.

King County has provided the following materials to assist with understanding the new ILA:

1. Amending and Restating the Interlocal Agreement of 1988, an overview  

2. ILA Term Sheet 

3. Solid Waste Governance 

4. Effect of Different Bond Terms on Fees 

5. System Map 

6. Frequently Asked Questions 

7. Redline Comparison of the 1988 Interlocal Agreement with Amended and Restated Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement 

8. Amended and Restated Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement 

If you have any questions regarding the Amended and Restated Solid Waste ILA, please contact Public Works Director Tom Gut, 206.973.4741, or Resource Conservation Coordinator Trudy Olson, 206.973.4763.