Staff Report_Ratify_WaterRightPSA_Suncadia

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA STAFF REPORT AGENDA DATE: February 3, 2026 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve the Resolution to Ratify the Chair of County Commissioner’s Signature on the January 26, 2026 Trust Water Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement with Suncadia Resort LLC. ___________________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: Kittitas County maintains a water banking program approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) and administered by the Public Works Department. Suncadia Resort LLC wishes to sell portions of its water bank. County staff reviewed the water rights and recommended that the Board of County Commissioners purchase a portion of the water rights and seek additional funding to purchase the remainder. The water rights recommended for purchase are Teanaway River and Swauk Creek water rights, which will be used to provide mitigation in these tributaries and in the mainstem Yakima River. The acquisition will occur in two phases. Phase 1 includes the purchase of 23.576 acre-feet of consumptive use water at a cost of $331,401.47. This amount will be paid from the 403 Fund (Water Resources), and the expenditure was included in the 2026 budget. Phase 2 includes the purchase of 77.804 acre-feet of consumptive use water at a cost of $1,093,669.82 and is contingent upon receiving grant funding for the acquisition. On January 26, 2026, the Chair signed the Purchase and Sale Agreement. One identified contingency requires the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution, in the ordinary course of business, ratifying the Purchase and Sale Agreement. INTERACTION: Public Works. RECOMMENDATION: Move to Approve the Resolution to Ratify the Chair of County Commissioner’s Signature on the January 26, 2026 Trust Water Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement with Suncadia Resort LLC..