Soap Lake approves water, sewer rate study

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake City Council unanimously approved a water and sewer rate study during their April 6 regular meeting.

The city’s last study was completed in 2017. The new contract would cost $19,780 through Gray and Osborne, Inc. and would take several months to complete. This new study would most likely influence the combined water/sewer/garbage rates in Soap Lake for the year 2023 and after.

The next item was the biannual rate adjustment contract amendment with Consolidated Disposal Services, Inc. The amendment increases Consolidated’s rates by 4.45% starting May 1.

Another new business item the council looked at was approving the applications for events in the city via the town’s tourism budget. The events were Suds N Sun, Paddle Day, Winterfest and visitor center operations.

After some conversation, Mayor Alex Kovach said the items had already been budgeted for as part of the City’s 2022 budget.

Soap Lake Police Department Chief Ryan Cox advised council that his department was able to obtain 50 helmets using grant funding SLPD had received a few weeks prior. Of those 50, Cox said only 14-15 have been handed out so far. Cox encouraged the council to let community members know the helmets are available at request at the SLPD building.