Warden approves 2024 property tax levy, appoints sergeant

WARDEN — Warden City Council unanimously approved the ordinance for the city’s 2024 property tax levy after holding a public hearing during Tuesday’s regular meeting. The council also approved the promotion of Warden Police Officer Greg Talbot to the rank of sergeant.

“It's always good to have a sergeant,” said Police Chief Rick Martin. “I know we're a small department but when I'm not there, it's not only that Greg can say what we'll do, but Greg can say it with authority and that's the important piece, so he has lawful authority to do the job … and he has my full confidence that he can. So it's a good day, a good day for me, and I’m really proud of Greg. I’m proud of the job that he’s done and the job that he will do.”

After Talbot was sworn in, the council meeting progressed to a public hearing on the city’s 2024 property tax levy. City Administrator Kriss Shuler explained the levy.

    City Administrator Kriss Shuler administers the oath of office to Officer Greg Talbot as he is sworn into the rank of sergeant.
  

“The city's request is for $6,460.19, which is our 1% levy limit,” said Shuler, “and that's assessed across the whole property of the city, which is over $449 million.”

Shuler elaborated on the tax increase of $6,460, which is spread across the entire city.

“The taxes help the collections that are received by the city for the basic functions of our city,” she said. “They pay for the police, the parks, the cemetery, library, administration, building, planning, community development.”

Warden resident Tom Young said where the money will be used is a concern of his.

“I know we have a list here, but the issues that we really want taken care of don't seem to be addressed … there doesn't seem to be a standard operating procedure to do things,” Young said. “There's no follow-through from anybody. I'm not opposed to paying more taxes, I just want services that we should already have taken care of before we add more to what we're spending for some other deal.”

Shuler responded before turning over the motion to the council.

“I understand Mr. Young's comments and any other comments, but we also do have to take into consideration the city also has increased costs, whether it be the power, the fuel, the labor,” Shuler said. “So I have to still say that I believe it is the prudent responsibility for us to adopt that ordinance.”

    Newly-appointed Warden Police Sgt. Greg Talbot stands in the Warden Police Station with his wife Veronica after the badge-pinning.
  

After approving the levy, the council also unanimously approved a motion to accept a bid to replace the front doors of Warden City Hall with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant electric doors. The bid was awarded to Moses Lake business Skaug Brothers Glass for a total cost of $18,000. 

Lastly, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the 2023 budget to purchase a new police vehicle for $10,000 more than what was originally budgeted. Martin said the intent was to purchase a police SUV, but no SUVs have been available on the state contract, requiring the department to look into buying a law enforcement pickup truck instead for a total of about $69,000. 

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com. Download the Columbia Basin Herald app on iOS and Android.