Othello gives funds to new development group

OTHELLO - The Othello City Council approved to disburse approximately $25,000 to the Adams County Development Council (ACDC) Monday night.

The funds were collected from the Adams County Economic Development Council (ACEDC), which disbanded last year.

The funds were an accumulation of dues paid by the city and various contracts.

Each development council was created to promote economic growth throughout Adams County. The ACDC replaced the ACEDC last year after council saw little progress from the previous group and requested their money back.

On April 22, Councilmember Eleanor Brodahl and former councilmember Dale Wyman met with former ACEDC members to sign documentation to terminate the group and release funds to Othello and other cities and organizations.

Councilmember Ken Johnson said the ACDC is hiring a firm to help publicize Adams County which includes an update to involved Web sites. He said the new development council needs the funds to use the firm.

Board member enrollment for the group is growing, Johnson added.

Councilmember Marc Spohr questioned when he would see a budget, mission statement and goals from the ACDC as he requested at several previous council meetings. He said he is disappointed he hasn't seen any information yet.

He suggested giving the ACDC half of the funds and the rest later once they provide the requested information. Spohr made the suggestion because he said he did not want to set a precedent that groups can be formed who use city funds without accountability.

He was the lone vote against the motion to give the ACDC all of the collected funds because he preferred giving them a portion of the funds instead.

City Administrator Ehman Sheldon said ACDC members are working on goals and a mission statement. He said a formal budget is not ready. Sheldon is the vice-chair of the ACDC.

"It's just really disappointing to me that we haven't gotten an update on that," Spohr said.

Sheldon said Ritzville, Lind, Washtucna, the Port of Othello and Adams County agreed to disburse the total amount of funds refunded to them to the ACDC. The total is approximately $45,000.

Councilmember Ken Caylor said the quicker the city supports the ACDC the faster they will see economic development results.

Caylor moved to give all the funds to the ACDC and Brodahl seconded the motion.

The motion passed with a 6-1 vote.