Hearing set for potential tax

MATTAWA - The Mattawa City Council is about to give itself the authority to raise local taxes for the benefit of streets, but the public can have a say at a hearing set for Thursday, Aug. 20, before the regular Council meeting.

The Council has been discussing the creation of a Transporation Benefit District for months. The TBD would have the power to raise the local sales tax, with limitations. The revenue would be dedicated to streets.

A TBD has its own board of directors. However, in the case of Mattawa, the Council would serve as that board, according to City Clerk Robyn Newcomb.

"They would have to conduct separate meetings," Newcomb said. "They would not be able to discuss TBD business at the Council meeting for Council business at the TBD meeting."

Still, some folks might find a conflict of interest in this. Newcomb said City Attorney Katherine Kennison the dual roles for Council members.

The consensus on the Council favors creation of the TBD. That will likely happen after the hearing on the 20th. The question then will be how quickly to raise the sales tax.

Options for promoting a sales tax increase this year were discussed at the Council meeting of Aug. 6. Councilman Brian Berghout and citizen Lars Leland volunteered to conduct a door-to-door campaign.

Other ideas included dissemination of information through churches and the media.

In other business on the 6th, the Council approved an event permit for a shows by American Crown Circus on Aug. 20-23 at Hund Memorial Park.

The Council heard that work has begun on the Mattawa City Hall remodeling project.

Police Chief John Turley told the council there have been several arrests lately, including a drive-by shooting, where one of those involved was arrested for the act and another was arrested because of an outstanding arrest warrant.

Public Works has installed the lighting at the new public works shop.

The Council approved for payment 2015 payroll EFT and payroll checks Nos. 31277-31284 in the amount of $68,846.06 and 2015 claims EFT and claims checks Nos. 14546 - 14577 in the amount of $28,326.21.