Concerning the sale of surplus property by water-sewer districts.

Water-sewer districts get new property-sale rules

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington water-sewer districts follow revised rules for selling surplus property. The district board must decide the property is not needed and will not be needed for district purposes. Personal property worth less than $5,400 can be sold without a published sale notice, up from $2,500. This reduces district paperwork but gives residents less public notice. For real estate, private sales are barred when the estimated value exceeds $7,500, up from $5,000. The board determines that value with input from real estate professionals. Real estate worth more than $5,000 requires a professional valuation prepared within six months before the sale. It must come from three independent Washington-licensed real estate brokers or one professionally designated real estate appraiser. Brokers must sign their price opinions; the appraiser's report must be signed and filed with the district secretary for public inspection. Required sale notices run in a newspaper serving the district once weekly for two consecutive weeks. They describe the property, sale time and place, terms, and whether the sale is public or private. Real estate notices also state the estimated or appraised value. Public-sale notices request bids, set bid conditions, and reserve the right to reject bids for good cause. After 120 days without a buyer offering at least 90% of the real estate's value, the board can adopt a resolution stating that failure. It can then sell at the highest price obtainable at public auction, with the same two-week notice and bidding requirements.