We now have an online payment option! Click here to access the online payment portal. Use the 4-digit account number on your bill to access your account.
You can make payments via credit cards, debit cards, or e-check, and you can also sign up for auto-pay through the online payment portal. You can also make payments by phone (via automated IVR) at 866-583-1176. If you decide to use the online or pay-by-phone service, you will be charged a fee for payments made through the Nexbillpay payment processing service.
You can also make your payment directly to the Co-op by check, as you did for your Burton Water Company payments. There are no processing fees for checks (or e-checks) sent directly to the Co-op.
For payment by check, please make your check payable to Burton Water Co-op and write your account number on the check. Mail it to Burton Water Co-op, PO Box 1938, Vashon, WA 98070 or drop it off at the Burton Store.
We are grateful for the patience shown by the sellers, Jim Garrison and Evan Simmons, during this long and crucial period.
The Co-operative is fortunate to retain key personnel, with current staff members Nick Simmons and Morgan Berry continuing in their roles as System Operator and Assistant Operator. Their expertise will be invaluable in maintaining institutional knowledge and ensuring a seamless transition.
Our bylaws require that the Cooperative elect a new Operational Board of Directors within 60 days of closing. Nominations are currently being solicited. Click here to download Board terms, qualifications and time commitments, and download this form to nominate yourself. If you have questions about the Board and/or the election process, please send them to info@burtonwater.org.
Every member of the Cooperative is eligible to vote in this critical election. Voting will begin November 15 when ballots are emailed, and conclude on December 3 in a ZOOM Member meeting. Watch your inbox for your ballot.
Zoom link here
A complete list of charges is available here.
First bill from the Cooperative will be sent out around December 1. You can pay your bill online here or by phone at 866-583-1176. Use your 4-digit account number to access your account.
You can also pay your bill by check. Please make your check payable to Burton Water Co-op, write your account number on the check, and mail it to PO Box 1938, Vashon, WA 98070 or drop it off at the Burton Store.
William Shadbolt, President - William is a real estate investor with residential property in Washington, manufactured home communities in the Midwest and self-storage in the Midwest and Texas. He serves on numerous boards of both for-profit and nonprofit corporations. He is also a licensed water operator in another state.
Ben Lee, Vice President - Ben is a water resources engineer who specializes in hydrogeology, well design and maintenance, and water rights. He consults for large municipalities and small water systems, irrigators, and industrial clients including the Burton Water Company.
Chuck Weinstock, Treasurer - Chuck (retired) led a community based non-profit developer and manager of affordable housing for 20 years and worked for JPMorgan Chase Bank as a community development banker for 10 years. He has founded and served on numerous not for profit boards.
Norm Seethoff, Secretary - Norm (retired) is an electrical engineer who specialized in IT infrastructure. He led team deployments of IT infrastructure in North America, Europe, India, and China for a Fortune 200 company.
Steve Hill - Trained as an electrical engineer, Steve was the president/owner of a telecommunications company for 26 years until he sold it and retired. The company designed and manufactured secure telephones for the US government and provided cloud-based communication services for private businesses. He spent summers at his parent's house on the Burton Peninsula from when he was two years old and now owns the house next door.
James Culbertson - James is a video production professional with 30 years’ experience working on documentary, performance, education, non-profit, and corporate videos. He is a former board member with Voice of Vashon and 911 Media Arts Center in Seattle.
Merrilee Runyan - Merrilee is a retired educator and lavender farmer who has served on a variety of non-profit boards over the years, most recently the Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA). She is the founder of VIGA's Food Access Partnership and Sustainable Vashon, and is a community activist around food justice issues. She has lived on Vashon Island for 32 years, the last 10 years in Burton.
The following committees were formed at the beginning of the exploratory process. Skilled and talented community volunteers stepped up to this key work to guide the development of the Cooperative.
Membership and Communications
The ongoing Membership Committee developed outreach material to share information with the community and compiled a list of contact information for all potential cooperative members. Outreach materials have included this website, mailers, email newsletters, community meetings, and communications about the several voting opportunities, including the most recent ballot.
Finance
The Finance Committee assessed the financial feasibility of purchasing the assets from the Burton Water Company and then managing the water system as a community-owned cooperative entity. Elements considered for the purchase of the system assets included a professional valuation of the system including capital improvements, the water company's recent financial records, and availability of financing. Elements considered for the financial management of the system included the water rates structure, capital reserve needs, and extent of membership in the cooperative.
Operations
The Operations Committee reviewed the physical and operational components of the Burton Water system. The physical components include the wells, storage reservoirs, treatment system, and distribution system. The operational components include the day-to-day labor and materials required to keep the system operating smoothly to supply high-quality drinking water to the system's customers. The Operations Committee coordinated the services of an engineering firm to provide a Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) of the system, to understand better the current physical condition of the system and what upgrades/replacements might be needed within the 5, 10, and 20 year timeframes. The results of the CNA were used to inform the valuation of the system and overall feasibility of purchasing the water system assets as a community.
Membership/Water User Agreement: This agreement, when signed, constitutes membership in the Cooperative. Membership rights include voting, participation in meetings, election of Directors and amendments to Bylaws. Responsibilities include abiding by the Cooperative Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, paying fees and charges as directed by the Board. This differs from the Joining Agreement that you may have signed which was an interim step to participate in the development of the Cooperative.
Connection Agreement: This agreement establishes water service to the connection you have, sets up billing account information and includes the payment plan options for the one-time connection charge assessed for each metered connection to the water system. Members with multiple connections will receive a separate Connection Agreement and charge for each individual connection.
The one-time connection charge payment plan options include:
Completion of both agreements and payment (or a payment plan) of the one-time connection charge are required to receive water service from the Cooperative.