Othello to support Columbia Basin Water initiative

Council approves funding of $1 per resident

OTHELLO — The City of Othello has donated $1 per person to go toward the work of the Columbia Basin Development League, after approval by the Othello City Council Monday night.

The council unanimously approved giving $6,000 to the league at their meeting Monday, to help with league pursuits of the Columbia Basin Water Initiative that aims to solve depletion problems in the Odessa Sub-Area Aquifer.

The Columbia Basin Water Initiative is designed to supply long-term support for activities needed to assure that more surface water will be available to the Columbia Basin Project.

Othello City Administrator Ehman Sheldon recommended the city participate in the study and efforts of the league, as the city draws its water from the Odessa Sub-Area Aquifer. The money will be funded through the city's water fund budget.

Also at Monday's meeting, the council approved signing a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation for municipal and industrial water service in the city's Kiwanis Park. The city had been using agricultural water at the park but Sheldon told the council that the use of agricultural water in the park will not be available in the near future, and use of agricultural water in the park is considered by the Bureau to be an illegal use of the water.

Under the switch, the price of water used in the park will rise from $20.25 per acre foot with agricultural water to $39 per acre foot with municipal and industrial water.

In other council business:

? Mayor Pro-Tem Shannon McKay proclaimed Oct. 24-28 as Hurricane Katrina Relief Week in the City of Othello.

? The council unanimously approved a contract with Lemargie and Whitaker for attorney services for 2006. The contract increases the rate in attorney fees from $125 per hour to $140 per hour. The increase puts Othello's rates in line with other cities using the firm for legal services.