Ephrata swears in new police chief

By CHARLES H. FEATHERSTONE

Staff Writer

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata swore in the city’s new police chief, approved an increase in garbage fees, and announced that the city’s water would start being chlorinated next Monday.

During an online meeting Wednesday evening, Mayor Bruce Reim swore in Police Chief Kurt Adkinson, with Adkinson at his home near Moses Lake while Reim presided over the meeting in the city council chambers.

The city council also voted unanimously to confirm Adkinson’s appointment.

Adkinson, a retired lieutenant with the Washington State Patrol, formally began work as Ephrata’s new chief on Monday, succeeding former Police Chief Mike Warren, who was named city administrator following the departure of longtime City Administrator Wes Crago to Spokane nearly a year ago.

The city council also approved a nearly 1.6 percent hike in the city’s garbage fees following an increase of $5,500 by the city’s garbage contractor, Consolidated Disposal Services, Inc. The city’s contract allows for twice-yearly increases based on an average of the previous two-years’ inflation rate as reflected in the National All Urban Consumer Price Index.

However, this increase is not the same as the significant price rise Grant County is likely to approve before the end of the year, Warren said.

“The county commission will be increasing the tipping fee at the county dump to $47 per ton from $27 per ton, which means an extra $2.30 per 90-gallon container per month,” Warren told council members. “But that’s not reflected in this increase.”

The current rate for garbage service in Ephrata under the newly raised rates are $3.36 per month for 65- and 95-gallon containers emptied once a week.

Finally, Public Works Director Bill Sangster told council members that the city’s water chlorination system will begin working as of Monday, Nov. 9. Earlier this year, the state Department of Health ordered the city to begin chlorinating its water after repeated positive tests for fecal coliform bacteria in the city’s water system.

“I’m sure well No. 3 might be up and running too, but chlorination will begin,” Sangster said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected]