Council approves 2022 budget

RITZVILLE – The city council approved the 2022 final budget by a vote of 5 to 1 Tuesday, December 7, with Michelle Plumb voting no, and Scott Yaeger absent. In voting not to adopt the budget Plumb cited concerns over pay increases for city employees as the reason for her no vote. In an email response she said “my vote is my attempt to be a good steward with the public's hard-earned money.”

City Clerk/Treasurer, Julie Flyckt reported on the status of the state Public Works Board broadband grant, which was denied because of an objection by Desert Wind Wireless Internet of Kennewick. Under the provisions of the grant application, a service provider can object if they provide broadband service in the application area meeting the grant requirements. According to Revised Washington Code 43.330.530 “broadband service" means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide twenty-five megabits per second download and three megabits per second upload. Desert Winds Wireless offers four residential broadband packages. The top tier offering called “PRO MAX” meets the minimum standard, providing 25 megabits per second download and 5 megabits per second upload at a price of $99.99 per month. The most affordable option is known as “Value” and provides 4 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload at a monthly rate of $49.99. Grant applications from the City of Ritzville and the Adams County Board of Commissioners, for unincorporated portions of the county, were denied based on the Desert Winds Wireless objections. Flyckt said the city would pursue another grant application with higher transmission speed requirements.

In other business, pay estimate #6 from POW Contracting was approved for the Pete’s Lift Station project in the amount of $171,528.51.

Mayor Linda Kadlec updated 2022 council committee assignments, designating Debbie Chapman to replace outgoing councilman Mark Weigand on the Finance and Employee benefits committee. Incoming councilwoman Marsha Reimers Smith is assigned to the Public Safety (Fire and Police) committee and the Parks and Recreation (Cemetery, Park & Golf) committee.

Julie Flyckt announced Ritzville City Hall will observe holiday closures December 23 and 24.