Waitsburg City Council regular meeting update

November 20, 2019

Marty Dunn, Terry Jacoy, Kevin House, Kate Hockersmith, Jim Romine, K.C. Kuykendalll were all present.

New Business

Public Hearing – Property Taxes

The City presented a discussion on property taxes. The City has not taken a tax increase in many years and is now facing funding shortages going into the 2020 budget. According to Randy Hinchliffe, the city is facing a variety of looming repair issues associated with its general fund departmental facilities.

Hinchliffe presented charts and information providing data on how property tax works in our county and city. The City of Waitsburg has not taken the 1% tax increase it is allowed each year in the last seven years. This has allowed the city to “bank” the unused potential increase for later use. At this time there is approximately 7.5% available in the ‘bank.’ Hinchliffe proposed raising the property tax levy for the city using the annual 1% that we can raise, plus the full 7.5% available in the ‘bank’. This would increase tax revenue by $11,169.00. This would result in a $.02 increase to the levy.

Kate Hockersmith asked the purpose of ‘banking’ the 1% increases if it means raising taxes 6% or 7% at a time, instead of a steady 1% each year.

K.C. Kuykendall praised the city for keeping our taxes low by not taking the annual increase.

Terry Jacoy questioned any need for raising taxes. He raised concerns for an acquaintance that lives on a fixed income in a city that increased the tax rate 1.5% and now the city wants to increase her taxes to 2.5% just to flush her toilet and keep her water running.

Hinchliffe reminded the board that there are significant infrastructure projects that need to be paid for in the immediate future.

K.C.Kuykendall moved that the city takes the annual 1% increase and 1% of the banked capacity.

The council did not second the motion.

Kevin House put forward a motion to take the annual 1% increase and 2% from the ‘banked’ capacity.

The motion was seconded and passed with a 4 to 1 vote in favor.

Preliminary Budget

Hinchliffe discussed various road and infrastructure projects and the various funding sources that are available. These are currently being discussed in the working budget meetings.

Marty Dunn asked what impact there will be with the recent $30 car tab vote. Hinchcliffe said there will be no impact to the city. Hockersmith reminded him that Columbia Transit serves our community and will likely be negatively impacted. Other people noted that other smaller services and projects could be impacted as well.

Taggart Road Extension Project

Council voted to approve payment #2 for the work on Taggart Road project. The road project is finished. Both ends of the road have been barricaded. Originally the plan was to have 8” of base rock and 4” of chip seal. Since there was an unexpected delay, the project is now in a better position as a ‘shovel-ready grant’ which will give us 9” of base rock and 4” of asphalt.

Public discussion included concerns about the location of culverts and the effect on flood control.

PPL Grant Agreement

PPL has offered funding for the city to install an electric vehicle charging station. This would be of no cost to the city to accept the grant. The location of the charging station has not been decided. It was suggested to put it either in the city yard or on land next to the pool. Neither of these options are ideal, as the City wants the station to be as close to Main Street as possible. A location can be decided later. The only station available between Dayton and the Tri-Cities is at Blue Mountain Station. The council voted 4-1 in favor of accepting the PPL Grant.

Mayor’s Report

The mayor passed on the “Smart Community Award” given to Waitsburg for its work with the proposed trail to Randy Hinchliffe in recognition of his work. Joy Smith also received this award at an earlier presentation.

Kate Hockersmith reported on Emergency Preparedness committee’s efforts to find a room in City Hall for a HAM radio facility. She also informed the council of Randy Charles appointment as District #2 Fire commissioner.

No other reports from the council or City Clerk.