Othello council tables port funding request

OTHELLO - The Othello City Council tabled a request to fund a portion of the cost to install infrastructure in a business park annexed into the city last year.

The Port of Othello asked the council to provide up to $250,000 of the total cost of designing and installing water and sewer extensions to the future business park.

Port Director Mike Beardsley said the total cost to install the infrastructure is expected to cost approximately $477,000. If the cost increases, the port will not ask the city for more funds, he added.

The 67-acre business park is located in the southwest corner of state Route 26 and Reynolds Road, City Manager Ehman Sheldon said. The land is vacant and will eventually welcome businesses to build there.

According to city documents submitted by Sheldon, the port requested the city pay for a portion of the cost because the future business park will help stimulate Othello's economy.

"This argument seems to have some merit on the surface," city documents stated. "The city has had the philosophy that growth pays for growth."

Council discussed using funds from the water fund and the sewer fund to help pay for the project. According to city documents, the city would have to use both funding sources, but the sewer fund could be depleted and the city might need to use a debt financing service instead.

Sheldon said the council chose to table the request due to the cost of the project and because it was the first time the request was brought to the council's attention.

Council plans to discuss the request at a workshop scheduled for May 5 at 7 p.m.