Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The Palouse city council conducted its final 2019 budget hearing Nov. 27 on its way to final approval, due by state law Dec. 31.
After no public comments were offered in last week’s hearing, Mayor Michael Echanove closed it and later the council discussed the budget.
Some items still being considered are $3,000 proposed by councilman Chris Cook for painting the interior and exterior of the city pool, as part of a longer-term proposal of improvements to the facility.
Another item is a $5,000 transfer from the city’s cemetery endowment fund to the cemetery fund, to allow more cushion in yearly operating expenses. Other budget provisions include an added $3,500 for the police car reserve fund.
Also at the Nov. 27 meeting, the council discussed again allocating $100,000 of state Real Estate Excise Tax money for possible remodeling of the old Public Works large wooden shed on the east end of Main Street. REET is a tax on the sale of real estate statewide, part of which goes to a Public Works assistance account.
“The money would be there if Dwayne so chooses to spend it on a replacement shed,” said Echanove, referring to Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin.
Money has been allocated in Palouse in recent years in case Public Works cannot wait longer to address the shed situation.
Also, as part of the mayor’s budget proposal, all city employees would get a five percent pay hike.
“Our indicators showed we could absorb another five percent,” Echanove said, referring to last year’s eight percent overall raise.
The council is expected to decide a final budget at their next meeting Dec. 11, their last scheduled for the year.
Palouse 2018 revenues are projected to come in at an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 higher than in 2017.
The added funds are attributed to increased property tax base due to new homes on Palouse Cove Road, higher shared revenue from the state, liquor and cannabis board profits and other factors.
SEWER RATE HIKE: At the Nov. 27 meeting, councilman Tim Sievers proposed an ordinance to increase the monthly sewer rate $5, to go to the wastewater capital fund. The ordinance was approved, with a no vote from Cook. He and Echanove favored a $3 increase.
Sievers is the chairman of the council’s water and sewer committee.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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