Infrastructure improvements also part of 2018 plans; public comments sought

The Pasco City Council is seeking comments, both online and in person, from the public on the 2018 preliminary budget.

The council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at City Hall to receive comments from the community on the proposals for 2018 with final approval set for this same meeting.

The total annual $214 million preliminary budget includes more than $33 million in capital projects, including:

• Peanuts Park restoration: $1.5 million to complete design, environmental review and associated public outreach to ready the project for construction. Construction could potentially begin in fall 2018.
• Lewis Street overpass: The realization of this project has been a long-time goal of the council dating back to the latter part of the 20th century. The 2018 preliminary budget proposes using state funding to update and complete the project design and environmental analysis, obtain the necessary railroad permit and ready the project for bidding. More than $1 million is included in the capital budget for the work.
• Oregon Avenue: This Oregon Avenue arterial project includes minor widening, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting, traffic safety enhancements and landscaping to improve safety and efficiency. It is anticipated the $7 million project will be completed in 2018. Of this amount, $6.2 million is the result of competitive grants.
• Fire Station 84: The city acquired the Road 48 fire station in the Riverview neighborhood as part of annexation asset transfer in 2016. However, the current facility will not meet future demand projections, the city said. The long-term plan is to replace station 84 with a permanent facility co-located with park land acquisition and development project between roads 48 and 52, north of Court Street. The 2018 preliminary budget includes $400,000 for the design of the new fire station.
• Relocation of Fire Station 83: Fire Station 83, which is responsible for serving much of the city west of Highway 395, is experiencing increasing call volumes. The facility has served the city well in its present location since being constructed in the mid-1990s, the city said. However, the recently adopted Fire and Ambulance Services Master Plan identified a need for a fire station north of Burden Boulevard and one along the Court Street corridor in the proposed location of Station 84. Relocation of Station 83 will allow to the city to avoid adding a fifth station for several years, or perhaps longer, depending on growth. As with Station 84, the 2018 preliminary budget includes $300,000 for design.
• Relocation of the downtown police mini-station: Pasco police are looking to move to a more central location in the downtown core for higher visibility, increased opportunities for community outreach and interaction, greater convenience to the public and enhanced safety in the downtown area. The capital budget includes $100,000 for this project.
• Neighborhood park: The city is in the process of buying 20 acres between roads 48 and 52 north of Court Street to develop a future neighborhood park and Fire Station 84. The property is expected to close in 2017, at a cost of $760,000. The 2018 preliminary budget proposes a master planning and design effort of $75,000 with construction planned for 2019.
• Pasco Boat Basin: The preliminary budget proposes $500,000 as the city’s share in removing and replacing the remnants of the damaged infrastructure with a new facility. The specifics of this transaction are under negotiation and will require subsequent council approval.
• Animal shelter: A joint study commissioned by the cities of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco was completed earlier this year, which presented options for size, design concepts, and estimated budget for the construction of the facility. The proposed 2018 capital budget includes $800,000 toward the city’s share of the new facility. It is anticipated design will be complete in 2018, with ground breaking later in the year.
• Process Water Reuse Facility: As one of the drivers of the area’s agricultural economy, the Process Water Reuse Facility plays an important role in supporting the majority of the agricultural processing plants in Franklin County, the city said. The coming budget year will see the completion of a comprehensive engineering and facilities plan to set the course for the facility and the industry, locally, for the next two decades. The $1 million plan, associated studies and design of the irrigation pump station and Kahlotus Highway main and Dietrich Lift Station will largely be funded by grants and loans.

The city has experienced growth in its general fund revenues as the overall economy continues to improve:

• Property tax: The city experienced significant gains in new construction with a 51 percent increase over the previous year. During this same period, assessed valuation of the properties in the city increased by 12 percent to $4.8 billion in 2018. Due to the impact of new construction, increased assessed valuation and private investment, property owners will see a significant reduction in their general tax levy rate from $1.88 per $1,000 assessed value in 2017, to $1.76 per $1,000 in 2018.
• Sales tax: Sales tax represents the city’s largest single-source of general fund revenue. With an improving regional economy and high construction sales tax, the anticipated revenue for 2018 is $11.5 million. This is an increase of 2.7 percent over fiscal year 2017.

For a complete summary of the changes proposed, visit pasco-wa.gov/budget or call the city manager’s office at 509-545-3404.