Cashmere Planning Commission Meeting

On Nov 7^, the Cashmere Planning Commission will present its completed draft of the Parks Recreation and Open Spaces Plan (PROS) during a public hearing at 5:00 PM at the City Hall. The announcement was made at their Oct 3 meeting. Commissioners are seeking input from community members about the plan and specifically said that they hope those individuals who previously contributed their views at the community forum and online survey will attend and provide comments at the Nov 7 hearing.Looking to the future and plan implementation, Mayor Jim Fletcher addressed the meeting describing city budget challenges and potential funding options, that will be necessary to accomplish many of the goals in the PROS plan. He explained that the city currently does not have enough revenue to upgrade the pool, or add and maintain the additional parks, trails or other facilities outlined in the plan, so the city will need additional revenue to make the recommended improvements. He said in a year or two it will be necessary to go to the public and ask for additional funding. He suggested that it is necessary that the public be involved in deciding what to fund and how to fund it and that the decisions are not just coming from the mayor and the city. Fletcher explained that state law limits city property tax increase to 1% annually, which does not keep up with inflation. According to Fletcher, a 1% increase in the city tax rate would only provide the city with an additional $7000 in revenue, not enough to accomplish any of the goals. However, the city does have the option of allowing the public to vote on additional taxes to fund city projects. Give the people what they want and they will support it, Fletcher told the Commissioners.

Although the Fall of 2023 would be the earliest a proposal would be on the ballot, he said it is important to get the public involved and to start discussing the issues and solutions now.  Fletcher described three methods to increase the city property tax rate that could be voted on by city residents; 1) the city could ask for a one-time large lump sum increase in the tax rate; 2) annual increases in the tax rate but after a designated number of years the rate would drop back to where it had started; 3) an annual increase in the tax rate but after a designated number of years a new rate would be established. Another option for funding the pool and other parks could be to create a parks’ district. This could include just the city, or a larger area, but would still need voter approval. He explained that the district would then raise its own taxes that would be used to fund parks and other recreational facilities. Fletcher reiterated that it is important to know what the public wants and to communicate with the public- explaining the problems (cost of operations and options for funding) and providing voters possible solutions to choose from. A group of citizens could work to promote and establish a park district, or the City Council could vote for a city-wide district. If there is interest and support Fletcher said this could be on the ballot as early as the 2023 general election.

In other topics, 2 members of the public presented to the Commissioners a sample code that would allow chickens to be raised in Cashmere on small city lots. Eva Lorenz told the Planning Commission that they wanted to provide an example and this one was based on Ellensburg’s poultry and livestock ordinance. She had previously addressed the city council, but asked how to get a a public forum scheduled. Director of Operations, Steve Croci said that the Commission was waiting on direction from the Council.

Croci also announced that the city will be working with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance with a plan to upgrade and pave the pump track.