Fire department, pool, animal shelter among projects in 2025 Othello budget

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $28.6 million in 2025. Of that, about $9.6 million will be from the city’s general fund. 

Othello City Council members approved the 2025 budget earlier this month. Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said budget preparation had been underway since midsummer. 

“This is the very end of the line as far as our 2025 budget goes,” said Spencer Williams, the city’s finance director. 

Before the vote, Logan listed some of what he saw as some of the most important allocations.  

“You’ve approved building a new animal shelter. You’ve approved hiring a swimming pool consultant,” Logan said. “Three new public works vehicles, one police vehicle, $600,000 worth of street work – chip seal – (and) $150,000 in crack sealing to take care of our streets.” 

Another project is planned for 2025, Logan said. 

“We’re going to pave the alley behind the post office next year,” he said. “Which will make a lot of people happy.” 

The city’s water fund was budgeted at $7.3 million and includes about $600,000 for water line improvements. The budget also includes money for the city’s ongoing project to build a new facility to treat surface water to help replenish the city’s existing aquifer.  

The sewer fund was projected at $3.96 million.  

The city canceled its contract with Adams County Pet Rescue and signed one with Hands ‘n Paws to take care of cats and dogs picked up in the city limits.  

Council member John Lallas said during a July council meeting that it’s important for Othello residents to understand the city’s role.

“We’re not involved with holding these dogs, saving these dogs, spending money on these dogs – and cats – in any way, shape or form,” Lallas said. “There’s another entity involved.” 

Animals housed in the city’s facility eventually will be turned over to Hands ‘n Paws.  

The animal shelter is one of the programs included in the city’s general fund. Operation of the city’s parks and recreation department also is included in the city’s general fund. 

The swimming pool consultant will help determine the fate of the Othello Community Pool. City officials announced in late April that the pool had sustained so much damage it was unusable. A citizen’s committee has been appointed to research the options. 

Othello contracts with Adams County Fire District 5, but council members decided in August to start the city’s own fire department before the ACFD 5 contract expires in May 2026. The 2025 budget includes about $90,000 to start planning and purchasing equipment. 

Major construction is planned for Kiwanis Park, including a splash pad in the park with walking trails and improved lighting. About $1.26 million has been allocated for that project. Logan said a new bathroom also is planned for Kiwanis Park.  

“We’re going to be getting a new scoreboard at the baseball fields. We’re going to have pickleball courts at Lions Park. Three picnic shelters at Lions Park (and) one picnic shelter at Taggares Park,” Logan said.  

One section of Othello’s main street has decorative street lighting, and Logan said that the project will be completed in 2025. 

The budget also includes money for a new municipal phone system, a project that’s been on the project list for a while.  

“I think you guys have budgeted for a new phone system for the last three or four years,” Logan said. “But waiting has helped us, because four years ago we were going to spend over $100,000. And this next year, I think it’s less than $18,000,” he said.