Soap Lake City Council appoints tourism committee, opens applications for open seat

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council voted at its Aug. 19 meeting to appoint five members to serve on the tourism committee, advancing the city’s efforts to prepare for the upcoming budget season. 

The committee will include Lorilee Anderson, Debra Still, Genevieve Gray and Samantha Van Lone, along with Council member John Carlson, who will serve as the council’s representative. City officials said the group will evaluate tourism-related needs and recommend how the city should allocate tourism funds in the next budget cycle. 

“I am glad this committee has been filled,” Carlson said in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald. “We are advising the council on where we believe tourism allocations should be made, but we have a dedicated group of people to do that now.” 

The council entered an executive session to review four applications before voting unanimously to appoint the slate of members. The committee is expected to meet ahead of budget workshops to assess tourism priorities and potential uses of lodging tax revenue. 

In other business, the council formally opened the application period for a vacant council seat following the resignation of Council member Judith Gorman, who stepped down Aug. 5 citing “unanticipated personal needs.” 

Council member Kayleen Bryson said the council hopes to move quickly to fill the position and aims to appoint a replacement at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Applicants must be registered voters who have lived within Soap Lake city limits for at least one year. The appointed member will serve the remainder of Gorman’s term. 

Gorman, in her resignation remarks, encouraged residents who are “good problem solvers” to apply. The council plans to review applications in an executive session before making an appointment at the upcoming council meeting on Sept. 2. 

Public Works Director Eli Olson also addressed public concerns about recent E. coli test notifications, clarifying that the city followed Department of Health guidance and was not required to report the findings until later this year.  

“She commended the city on being transparent,” Olson said, adding that future notifications will be released simultaneously to avoid confusion. 

Representatives from the Grant County Economic Development Council delivered a presentation on the city’s 2026 municipal services agreement, outlining the EDC’s role in business recruitment, workforce development and regional collaboration. The council later voted unanimously to approve the agreement. 

Council members also advanced a property exchange resolution involving parcels owned by the Samish Group, including the downtown gazebo lot frequently used for community events. Officials said the exchange would allow the city to secure the property and explore future improvements, such as public restrooms and enhanced gathering space.