Jones discusses proposed tax with Royal City Council

Royal City — The Royal City Council heard a presentation from Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones concerning the proposed 0.3 percent sales tax increase during a regular council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Jones and his staff showed the council a slide show and answered questions about the proposed tax increase. The tax increase of three-tenths of a percent sales tax would go to law and justice agencies in the county. It will be split between the sheriff’s office and local police department. Jones has said he would like to use their share to build a new jail.

The council responded by adopting a resolution in favor of the tax being put on the ballot.

Jones will be visiting Royal City again to discuss the tax on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Royal City Golf Course Community Center. The community is invited to attend.

In other business, the council authorized Royal City Mayor Kent Andersen to sign a yearly agreement with the Grant County Health District.

“They will provide services when services are needed,” Shilo Christensen, Royal City finance director, said. “Two years ago when the fires were around, they distributed paper masks.”

Royal City Police Chief Darrin Smith told the council that the city’s new police vehicle is being outfitted. He also said that the new live scan for fingerprinting has been delivered. In the past ink cards have been moved. The move to digital will make it easier for the police department to fingerprint when needed.

The council authorized Andersen to sign a contract with Anderson Perry and Associates for general engineering services. In the past, the city has advertised for engineering services on a project by project basis. The new contract will allow the city to use one firm for engineering projects for the next three years.

Andersen told the council that Adam Fulton, an environmental engineer with the Washington State Parks, met with Christensen and himself concerning the conversion of the Beverly Bridge from railroad to hiking trail. The project has nothing to do with the City of Royal City, other than being a neighboring project.

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