Othello gets new provisional officer

OTHELLO — A new provisional officer was sworn-in at a regular Othello city council meeting on Monday.

Isaiah Suarez was sworn-in by Mayor Shawn Logan. The 2009 Othello High School graduate worked at the Coyote Ridge Correctional Center for seven years before working for the Kennewick Police Department. During the July 22 meeting, council approved the hiring of a provisional officer through the end of the year. Othello Police Chief Phil Schenck is hoping to apply for and receive a grant to continue the position.

In other business, the council approved two agreements with the Othello School District. The first one allows the district to reimburse the police department for teaching the criminal justice class at the high school. Schenck asked that the money go toward crime prevention classes. He would also like to see the department create a scholarship for criminal justice students.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about that class,” said councilmember Genna Dorow.

The second agreement was for a school resource officer. Both agreements were approved.

In other business, Finance Director Spencer Williams told the council that it was budget time again. Over the next few months, city staff and council will be working together to create a budget for next year. Williams hopes to have the budget approved before Christmas.

There was discussion about the high rate of speed of cars on Olympia Street. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien asked the council, via letter, for approval to apply for a grant to do a study in Othello to see what traffic calming devices are needed throughout the city. The cost for the study is $20,000. O’Brien recommended that the city ask for $18,000 and pay the other $2,000 as the city’s 10 percent match.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com