Why LLSWD is separate from the city

November 14, 2019
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By BiJay Adams
General Manager, LLSWD

Why is the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District a separate entity from the city of Liberty Lake? The answer to this question is often misunderstood by the community. Many don’t even realize we are separate entities. It’s a great question, and I always appreciate the opportunity to share how history, focus and funding all contributed to the formation – and continued success – of the district as a standalone entity.

History

Like many great beginnings, the Liberty Lake Sewer District was formed in 1973 to solve a problem.  After years of intense use, the water quality of Liberty Lake was deteriorating and regularly plagued with toxic algae blooms from septic tank effluent. In response, the community petitioned and voted to form a sewer district as a Special Purpose District in the state of Washington. In 1977, the district requested that the legislature amend the law to allow Special Purpose Districts to spend funds to protect lakes. The legislature gave districts the protection authority in Section 56.08.013 RCW (recodified as RCW 57.08.005). Water service was added to the district in 1978. The service boundaries of the district include the neighborhoods south of Sprague Avenue that were not included when the city incorporated in 2001. Of course, this unincorporated area includes the lake itself, and lake management remains a central cog of the LLSWD mission these 46 years later.

Lake management remains a central cog of the LLSWD mission these 46 years later.

BiJay Adams, LLSWD General Manager

Focus

The LLSWD is a special purpose district, an independent, limited-purpose form of government provided for in Washington state law (RCW 57). There are 182 sewer and water districts throughout the state of Washington, operating in 34 of 39 counties. These provide water and sewer services to one quarter of the state’s population. This is our sole focus: “Serving people and the environment” by providing safe and reliable water and sewer service and effectively treated wastewater, while preserving and protecting the lake, aquifer and Spokane River.

Funding

Everything we do is funded directly by those using the services. We are publicly owned and operate the water and sewer services as separate enterprises, allowing us to directly link every cost to the benefit it serves. Special

purpose districts like LLSWD do not have taxing authority, and we do not assess utility taxes on our services. Combine that with staff and leadership committed to safe, reliable, and transparent services, and our books truly tell the tale of an accountable and efficient district. 

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2019 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

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Pet Adoption Hero: Cristene Justus at Double J Dog Ranch

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Double J Dog Ranch received a tidal wave of publicity on Super Bowl Sunday 2019, when “Bumble,” a special needs puppy, was named MVP of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XV.

But Bumble is just one of hundreds of incredible stories originating out of Double J Dog Ranch, a rescue and re-home sanctuary for special needs dogs in jeopardy of euthanasia. For some, the ranch offer hospice care and a great life on the 50-acre Hauser Lake ranch. For many others, Double J is the springboard into a new, loving home.

Cristene Justus is the founder of Double J Dog Ranch. The dogs experience a home environment and receive care from a dedicated team of professionals, including health care, nutrition and behavior. One of Double J’s raving fans and health care partners is Ponti Veterinary Hospital.

  • Cristene Justus (second from right) and two of her Double J dogs with members of the Ponti team

“The mission of Double J Dog Ranch is so close to our hearts at Ponti,” Dr. Jerry Ponti said. “Our region is so fortunate to have an advocate like Cristene and the team at Double J Dog Ranch. As Cristene likes to say, these special needs dogs don’t realize they are special needs. So many homes in this area and across the country have had their lives enriched by taking in incredible pets that were literally saved by Double J Dog Ranch.”

For more information about Double J Dog Ranch, visit doublejdogranch.org.

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2019 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

Try in 2020: Southwest Breakfast Burrito

October 9, 2020
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Southwest Breakfast Burrito

Frannie’s Kitchen at Chevron
1109 N. Liberty Lake Road, Liberty Lake

Featuring sausage, eggs, peppers, onions, hashbrowns and cheese, this breakfast burrito is freshly made in Frannie’s Kitchen inside Liberty Lake Chevron. Full-pound burrito option also available.

Why you’ll love it

When you think of food prepared fresh by a trained chef with years of experience, you probably aren’t thinking about gas station fare. Yet that’s exactly what’s offered in the northwest corner of Liberty Lake Chevron through Frannie’s Kitchen.

People walking in for the first time often expect prepackaged items that have been sitting in a food warmer for who-knows-how-long.

“That’s not what this is,” said Fran Stevens, the 10-year Chevron employee and longtime Liberty Lake resident behind Frannie’s Kitchen. “It’s not been sitting there for hours. You always have people who are prejudiced against gas station food, and we just have to fight the stigma.”

For someone with culinary training and experience working in catering and for resorts, Fran might seem overqualified for the job, but she loves the community environment, repeat customers and ability to surprise people with what they can find inside their local convenience store.

“Once they come in, they come back, and they tell their friends,” she said. “I just have to get them in the door.”

After establishing a loyal lunch crowd with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Liberty Lake Chevron expanded this past year to provide breakfast offerings from 7 to 10 a.m. The combination of fresh-made food with grab-and-go convenience was already a hit, and a crowd of breakfast regulars formed quickly.

Owner Don Douglas said credit goes to Fran, who works behind the register for Chevron when she’s not behind the grill a few paces away. Fran makes the burritos and sandwiches to order, usually while visiting with the customer. She uses hearty meats, real cheese and fresh, store-bought ingredients she hand-selects. Customers also love her homemade cookies.

In addition to the Southwest Breakfast Burrito, Fran said morning commuters love grabbing the Three Little Pigs — a ham, bacon and sausage burrito — and the Southern Style, highlighted by sausage and gravy.

Lunch standouts include grilled-to-order specialty sandwiches from the Pulled Pork and Cheddar, to the Italian, to the ever-changing Specialty Sandwich of the Week.

“It’s not what you would expect from a gas station,” Don said of Frannie’s Kitchen. “We don’t know what’s next in her fresh kitchen, but we know it will taste great!”

NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the 2020 Liberty Lake Yearbook.

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