Milton-Freewater City Council to decide on water rate study contract

By Dan Thesman on Monday, August 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

MILTON-FREEWATER — City leaders in Milton-Freewater meet tonight (Monday) to decide who will help figure out how much residents should pay for water. The city council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in the Albee Room at the Milton-Freewater Public Library, 8 SW Eighth Ave.

Council members will revisit an unfinished item from previous meetings. The main topic is hiring a consulting company to complete a water rate study. The recommendation was brought to the council by the city’s Public Works Engineering Technician Steven Patten.

Patten recommended hiring FCS, a Bowman Company based in Portland. The experts will study the city’s water system to measure full operating costs and help design fair, long-term prices for local water bills.

The total cost of the study is $39,800. The state of Oregon awarded the city a $20,000 grant through a forgivable loan program, meaning the city will not have to repay that portion of the money.

Five companies submitted proposals for the project. City staff scored each proposal and ranked FCS highest. Engineering advisors and water officials from neighboring communities like Walla Walla also gave FCS strong endorsements. If the city council votes to approve the proposal tonight, Mayor Mike Odman will sign the official contract. The study is expected to be finished by early 2027.