Cashmere City Council Meeting October 23

Bill Donald addressed the Cashmere City Council at their Oct 23 meeting. He expressed concern about the city potentially cutting services, as the Council had discussed at their previous meeting, as a potential option to help address budget shortfalls. Donald described the city’s current inability to provide adequate and timely snow plowing, street sweeping, and similar street maintenance. He used these examples to explain that additional reductions in services would be even more of a detriment for residents. He acknowledged that raising taxes hits citizens hard and said that tax dollars need to be spent wisely, but Donald expressed that cutting services also creates hardships for citizens.

A Public Hearing was held at the meeting to receive comments regarding a potential property tax increase. Donald was the only member of the public in attendance. Following the hearing and significant discussion, in a 4:1 vote, the Council approved a 1% increase in property tax revenue, the maximum amount allowed. Council member Derrick Pratt voted against the increase, which will provide the city with an additional $7,383 dollars. City documents show an additional $11,701 in property tax revenue from new construction.

Mayor Jim Fletcher provided an overview of the city’s sources of taxes and other revenue for the General Government Budget and the Public Works Budgets. Graphs provided by Fletcher show that approximately 70% ($737,501) of the General Government Fund is used to pay for emergency services, including law enforcement contracts with the Sheriff’s office and jail. According to Fletcher and others, city expenses have continued to rise because of inflation. In the 2024 budget, most of the increase in the General Government Fund is from the county, with a $70,000+ increase just for operating the jail—a 180% change from $40,000 in 2023 to $112,400 for 2024.

Fletcher explained that the Public Works Fund pays for the maintenance of streets, parks, buildings, and the pool. He agreed with Donald that due to the size of the city’s work crew, the city is unable to get to many of the city streets for leaf and snow removal and other maintenance in a timely manner.

Fletcher told the Council that in the past, the city had a large enough difference between revenue and expenses so that the city was able to transfer funds into the Capital Improvement Budget to fund large projects. He said that expenses have increased to the point that the city cannot build the Capital Improvement Budget as had in the past. This results in the City postponing or not implementing large infrastructure projects that are needed.

Derrick Pratt expressed his concern that when the city contracts out services, like garbage collection and water/wastewater facilities, the city reduces its labor force, which could be used to help in crisis situations. Fletcher responded that water/wastewater revenue funds cannot be used for plowing city streets. He added that City Councils have to weigh the pros and cons to try to make the best decisions. Pratt agreed but said that, ultimately, the city now has a smaller workforce to plow city streets. Council member Chris Carlson reflected on the decision to contract out management of the water/wastewater facility and said it was partly a result of the city being unable to find and hire qualified and certified staff. Council Member John Perry added that he would like to see another person in public works, but that would require additional revenue.

Carlson said he is looking for more input from the public to know if they are willing to be taxed more for more services. Using the pool as an example, it costs about $150,000 annually to operate and needs a million dollars in repairs. Are people willing to be taxed more for that facility or give up other services? He reiterated his desire to get more feedback from the public to know their priorities in terms of services and taxes. In response to a question from Council Member Shela Pistoresi, Fletcher explained that only approximately 16% of a homeowner’s property tax bill goes to the City; the remainder goes to the school district, the county, and other entities.

A Task Authorization to RH2 Engineering for $57,398 was approved to survey two necessary street and utility repair projects, S. Douglas and W. Prospect Streets. Approval was given with a 4:1 vote, with Council member Jayne Stephenson opposed. She expressed her concern that RH2 was overcharging for the project.

The survey work is to be completed by subcontractor Complete Design in preparation for the replacement of the underground sewer and water lines to address significantly low water pressure in those areas.

Council member John Perry asked if rate schedules or other documents would be provided so that the Council could better judge the project. City Clerk-Treasurer Kay Jones replied that they do not receive those for subcontractors, and normally, the city does not know the costs of an individual contractor. Stephenson agreed with Perry wanting to see additional project details. Carlson also felt that it seemed expensive. But, he added that if the survey work were not performed soon, the city would not be able to get the repair project out to bid in Feb., a timeframe that he said is necessary to save the city 25% in project costs. Pratt also mentioned that the residents on the streets have very poor water pressure.

The Council was hesitant to approve the work. Fletcher asked if there was a motion for how to proceed with the work authorization, but one was not made. Following additional discussions, Pratt made a motion, which Pistoresi seconded.

A renewed contract, with an 8% increase, for prosecution services passed unanimously. The county increased its charge per case by $25, from $275 to $300.