City, fire district at odds over cost of services

MATTAWA — The City of Mattawa and Grant County Fire District No. 8 have had two discussions of fee increases the Fire District wants for service to the city, and there is no agreement.

The Fire District position is that the cost of service to the city is rising. The city’s position is that it can’t go up as much or as rapidly as the Fire District wants.

According to City Clerk Robin Newcomb, the city would have to get the money from the general fund. That could mean a reduction in the police department budget.

The city is not part of the Fire District. It pays a yearly fee to the Fire District. The Council, including the meeting of Dec. 15, has discussed seeking annexation into the district.

Fire Chief Dave Patterson has told the city the Fire District gains nothing with annexation. It would receive property taxes, but they would not match the fee the city pays now.

The City paid $41,283 in 2016. The Fire District is asking for $43,506 in 2017, $51,184 in 2018, $56,303 in 2019, $61,421 in 2020 and $63,980 in 2021. That would be an increase of more than $22,000 over five years.

In another financial issue, the Washington Growers League is trying to reduce it services hook-up to the City by having the description of its planned farmworker (H2) housing on Road 24 SW, west of Highway 243.

According to the League, this housing will consist of six housing units and a manager’s unit. The League is asking the city to consider reviewing the hook-up fees in place because officials don’t believe they will use much water. The city could then re-evaluate after one year.

Before the city adopted a new fee structure recently, the League would have paid around $20,000. With the new fee structure, the cost increased to about $240,000 for what the city calls dormitory style housing.

The League argues that the project is not dormitory style. It says it’s more of an apartment complex. Nancy Morter, of Gray & Osborne Engineering in Yakima says the structure the League would like to build does fit the definition of dormitory style housing as written in the International Building Code.

Newcomb expects this issue to be discussed further, as will be the Fire District’s proposed increase in charges.

In other matters on the 15th, the Council was informed that sidewalk work on Williams Ave is complete. There is still a light pole to put up after the weather improves.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder informed the Council that Gray & Osborne will make its Government Way Make-over presentation on Jan. 5.

The Council authorized an event permit to the Wahluke Enhancement Organization for the Mattawa Community Christmas celebration this Friday, Dec. 22.

The Council approved a consent agenda that includes the Council meeting minutes of Dec. 1, a payroll of $9,400 and claims totaling $170,401.91.