Resolution to Ratify WaterRightPSA1

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA STAFF REPORT AGENDA DATE: January 21, 2025 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve the Resolution to Ratify the Chair of County Commissioner's Signature on the Trust Water Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement for Certificate Nos. S4-83019-J and S4-85195-J with Suncadia Resort LLC. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County maintains a water banking program accepted by the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) and administered by the Public Works Department. Suncadia Resort LLC wishes to sell portions of their water bank. Kittitas County staff reviewed the water rights and recommended to the Board of County Commissioners that these water rights be purchased to maintain Swauk Creek groundwater mitigation options with the First/Swauk Creek winter water and to diversify our portfolio with the Big Creek water. The purchase, expected to be $83,370 will be paid out of the 403 Fund (Water Resources) and this expenditure was included in the 2025 budget. The purchase price is dependent on the quantity of water approved for transfer by Ecology, based on a selling price of $7,000 per acre foot consumptive use, and 11.91 acre-feet consumptive use expected to be available for transfer. On December 23, 2024, the Chair signed the Purchase and Sale Agreement. One identified contingency is for the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners to pass a Resolution in the ordinary course of its business ratifying the Purchase and Sale Agreement. INTERACTION: Public Works. RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve a Resolution to Ratify the Chair of County Commissioner's Signature on the Trust Water Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement for Certificate Nos. S4-83019-J and S4-85195-J with Suncadia Resort LLC. HANDLING: Return one (1) original to Public Works. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution. LEAD STAFF: Arden Thomas, Water Resource Program Manager.