[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220187,"mediaKeyId","3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96","parentId",3618261,"title","Council authorizes interfund loan after county levy certification error for PRSA; county told to consider making residents whole","audioSeconds",705,"startMs",6565000,"endMs",7270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96&start=6565&end=7270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96/thumbnail_6565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220187/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-authorizes-interfund-loan-after-county-levy-certification-error-for-PRSA-county-told-to-consider-making-residents-whole","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220187-573953ce473757a3d84f14fcb7cbcce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657152&Signature=XelSEPXHIxeCPnidj8YLsLBzqFeZqoTaW08oC7oN1E4zbwNkyu3TsxbNj~hr40VmdTuzJWwa9SYY9LThfjFezy7ISwFlf~FGSPssgIyt8JPU1Qi42TseTLKHmuMQw2PK37sN19gxgURWMys9I3VTB9Zjl9xobEynMVZmVMb6NpZUlD5jbjrSvzN69xSx5dMz0OD7yvyiJydEnkv2lHqIsL9OjdFj71YGiC8mjzN63xMZkfqMH1Ais~d6oatGuLRZScGuUIEIdIHITSrD-L8xhvQFHOCCBVDejnN0DgImDej7kN73QYteefGGsa2qIP9sIkucclak4QCXpiCR5dclqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth City, WA","date","2025-05-30T19:34:59Z","article","The council approved a resolution authorizing an interest‑free interfund loan from the general fund to the Parks & Recreation Service Area (PRSA) pool fund after county staff explained a levy‑certification discrepancy that left the PRSA with less revenue in 2025 than the district expected.

County staff explained that the PRSA had run a ballot measure that promised a levy of “15¢ or less” and also submitted a signed resolution during the certification window; because the signed resolution requested a lower levy amount the county’s levying process recorded the lower amount as the certified levy. The assessor’s office told the council that, under current state statute, the discrepancy can be treated as a levy correction and spread over three equal payments if the correction would otherwise push the district above the statutory maximum levy in one year.

The assessed shortfall identified in the meeting was approximately $211,882.13. County staff said that, because the correction would push the total levy above the statutory maximum if paid all at once, state law provides for a three‑year correction schedule; county staff estimated the three‑year correction would require roughly $70,627.38 per year. The county said it could not guarantee an up‑front cash make‑whole and suggested that the city could request the county commissioners to advance funds if desired.

Council approved a formal resolution (Resolution 14‑2025) authorizing the mayor to accept an interfund loan from the general fund to the pool fund to cover immediate costs and carry the PRSA until levy corrections are received. The motion passed unanimously: moved by Clint Strand, seconded by Shane Therm; roll call showed unanimous approval. Councilmembers asked the county to consider advancing funds and requested clearer communication protocols for future levy certifications to avoid similar errors.

County staff said the assessor’s office would tighten procedures and that the PRSA board and city should expect a three‑year correction schedule if the county treats the situation as a levy correction under the statute. The council directed staff to approach the county commissioners about a potential one‑time upfront equalization payment but approved the interfund loan resolution so pool repairs could proceed on schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05.27.2025 Study Session & City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved an interfund loan to the pool fund after the county certified a lower PRSA levy than the PRSA board expected; county staff explained a statutory remedy that spreads corrections over three years when a single‑year correction would exceed legal levy limits.","taxTitle","Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington","taxId",62259,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220192,"Fire officials urge fuel‑reduction shift; council signals support to redirect home‑hardening funds",299,4556000,4855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96&start=4556&end=4855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96/thumbnail_4556000.jpg","/articles/6220192/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Fire-officials-urge-fuelreduction-shift-council-signals-support-to-redirect-homehardening-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220192-542acc4682b5ed8222a87d8fd8917089/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657152&Signature=FD6gYgBwGQLcHWn3l-MaXy5NEI6QSLxlvbbJWlbzZdgeZ426Rk-wkYMVK5bfw5zZfDvLRSWlNIvy9BhmxzyNEDwk2NUcJ~8S2LhBmjRBUYies8rz~2yMBRLcOCYOUYzs-ICEA6eiGMo6JTeIjC2EUyT-cu5LAHhAN0oAHLrMKgzZeab71tlFu056hZM6P69DTqBiRmpuzJTbthc3cXmpIKm53e0LT~L4VXvf0kwOLo1AHg40c8dhPPUlesxeqDwULlWKVaX0YfevF70LuydfTqVUfPl2WLcTmp60bbRAqGP5hQBx3CUQQMlmSLhdq23-A2THvS8RDX8Y1Eg47EjsQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and regional fire staff proposed repurposing the city’s annual $50,000 program budget — previously used for individual home‑hardening grants — to a five‑year fuels‑reduction program that would prioritize vegetation removal and hazard tree mitigation on public land and private properties where appropriate.

Chief O’Brien and Chelan County fire officials told council that the city’s home‑hardening grants historically funded one or two homeowner projects per year (commonly roof or siding replacement) and that a fuels‑reduction approach could spread mitigation benefits more broadly across public lands and neighborhoods. The proposed five‑year structure the presenters described would: year 1 prioritize assessments and priority mapping; years 2–4 fund fuel‑reduction work (either city crews or contractors) on public parcels and coordinated private‑property efforts; and the final two years focus on hazard tree removal and program evaluation.

Fire staff said the city’s existing community chipping and defensible‑space programs remain available, and that their capacity is currently around 40 private properties per year for chipping. They noted the logistical limits of some public sites (for example, Blackbird Island is dense and larger than $50,000 could fully mitigate) but said targeted trail and perimeter thinning could reduce risk and improve firefighter access.

Council members debated whether the city should keep some funds for individual homeowners. Several councilmembers said a coordinated fuel‑reduction approach could provide more equitable mitigation across the community, while others emphasized homeowner protections and the need for clear program rules to avoid subsidizing private real‑estate upgrades that later go on the market.

No ordinance was adopted. Council directed staff to draft a program plan and an evaluation framework (including metrics for acres treated, private parcels assisted, and hazard trees removed) and to return with a recommended budget allocation and outreach approach. Staff said they would also ask county partners whether the county could supplement or front funds in the short term and would report back.","Fire officials proposed using an existing $50,000 annual city program to fund fuel reduction across public lands and private properties rather than individual home hardening grants; councilmembers generally supported piloting the approach and asked staff for an evaluation plan and an outreach strategy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220197,"Local entrepreneur pitches musical adaptation of Miracle Town; council signals interest in licensing city‑held rights",473,3287000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96&start=3287&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96/thumbnail_3287000.jpg","/articles/6220197/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Local-entrepreneur-pitches-musical-adaptation-of-Miracle-Town-council-signals-interest-in-licensing-cityheld-rights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220197-c7fb3492d74c50a746e220740532e5b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657152&Signature=Pulw9ZgfaEKv0B~elClFm8NqKV4DskVtbNoHY26MaRtZdrcEwdWipMce9qUpJDAUxYXuszLZ3ryDOh4Rq7l0HdHxx2JdGJubhvp~uusbL9owPPSFytmoUHi7GDC03MXkgXAqutolIfgGtfX2PAPL-K~pSB96fiMeviOlNSThuzaYM6Tl1dl9t6vog608VpEXz1KWKD5JbsIfR9D9xKUWPqA28v67gMl~rPJFqm77a972L1ImYwlCWz~QZngdYATVfSIqNapaFmqGHH9gob646ZalfzJrrfkDTB-bPxhUSEGmwswTd~1y3FnZmK8WHIPrTiXSWjhfYolguIzg7as7Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Leavenworth resident and producer asked the council for permission to license city‑held rights to the book Miracle Town for development as a new musical.

John Sutherland told the council he had located the rights and proposed a community‑oriented development process that would include a staged reading, public workshops, local auditions and a potential Leavenworth premiere. He introduced his creative team: director Crystal Longbacher, book writer Vanessa (full name in packet) and composer‑lyricist Christian (full name in packet). Vanessa described the creative roles — she would write the spoken book — and Christian discussed a musical style blending folk and pop rock with dense vocal harmony and a small on‑stage ensemble.

The team said the musical would treat Leavenworth’s long history as a multi‑chapter story, showing how land and natural resources repeatedly drew people to the area; they emphasized public involvement and local casting in early development. Council asked artistic questions about narrative focus and central conflict; the writers replied that they see the project as a character‑driven, place‑based piece rather than a single antagonist‑protagonist story.

On the council’s question, several members signaled interest in pursuing rights: when asked if the council would be interested in licensing the rights, multiple councilmembers responded affirmatively. No ordinance or license was adopted at the meeting. Council asked staff to pursue next steps and indicated willingness to receive a formal licensing proposal and development plan for future consideration.","A local producer sought the council’s permission to license rights Leavenworth owns to the book Miracle Town and described a collaborative, public‑facing development process with local creatives; council members expressed interest and asked narrative questions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220202,"Council reviews transportation improvement plan; underpass and regional trail items stay under long‑term funding",255,90000,345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96&start=90&end=345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6220202/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-reviews-transportation-improvement-plan-underpass-and-regional-trail-items-stay-under-longterm-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220202-3b22e16392d010c2d437f171d7fb92a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657152&Signature=FbhvEgcMGcn5uxkCAEbnZRy8QmoHBLqKL9UwC-oIw1iYRzDpc1NNYqd6DKQS0kyO1tsjDQsS28PHgT7bg6-LrPmmuRqRtPK9gZTw0p9AfjNp-ZHTW75px-LmIFRIm1ybzoxsoal9R-45ZKCbeh5poCynWvhds7FFvfy~tyvzm6KrWsjH545Do1eVbmvqI3irDPkCo3jtJ7vNCOS8y9dKC6qTHT4F1Xr~dNrUsHGxwueVXU-fBiz-OsfvKRWWiHjOVVZlXOIuTqNZ0gvJMExTXSvMGg4jtjj8FfdP4vQOGvHncIP6KwtXEqMq-fQEZDtYd22BSAfKee9H7DbNB4ZFzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth city staff reviewed the current Transportation Improvement Plan and sought council feedback on projects carried forward in the updated list, including a pedestrian underpass and several multiuse trail items.

Staff said the pedestrian underpass that appears in the plan is pushed far into the future — funding has been scheduled in some scenarios as late as 2035—2040 — so it remains on the list to preserve eligibility for non‑vehicular project grants but is not ready for immediate construction. Council members asked whether the underpass location had been fixed; staff said the plan lists a general area east of Ninth Street and that earlier studies identified alignment options (including a conceptual link to the Icicle train station) but no final design or funding package exists.

Council and staff also discussed a multiuse trail item that had previously been described as a North Road segment; staff said the line item should be clarified in the published plan because the intent is to encompass the broader pathways plan and regional trail connections. Council members referenced ongoing regional trail coordination efforts and asked staff to update the plan language so it would clearly match the regional trail work managed by neighboring jurisdictions and councils.

Staff and council discussed whether to remove long‑range items that are unlikely to be built in the six‑year window. Staff cautioned that removing an item from the plan can eliminate its eligibility for certain state or federal funding, so the item remains on the draft plan unless council directs otherwise.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will revise language for unclear line items and return drafts to council before the formal adoption of the updated improvement plan.","Council and staff discussed the city’s multi‑year Transportation Improvement Plan, including a pedestrian underpass east of Ninth Street, a multiuse trail linkage to regional networks and phasing for a local pathways project; most items remain long‑term and will stay on the plan for potential funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220207,"Leavenworth officials review utility rate study proposing large near‑term water and sewer increases",308,830000,1138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96&start=830&end=1138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618261-ac826d91e68d342853b2ad0e2a98af96/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6220207/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Leavenworth-officials-review-utility-rate-study-proposing-large-nearterm-water-and-sewer-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220207-902539f0f03f1a133a334edb95c56006/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657152&Signature=Qr9f6mxYKLEYabDsY3NNlHG1eq8TK63AI6-xcQw9e2CV3msRRze4q-IdqjnGTonDeFz22Z2SvXiTUAN-NfVtPNRfWZTK2ZoF4DTJX4p5RwmY8bXLSVqrlLosHdXlnG-Tp9W5rsAH~~h64vqROpwyhfXgi2YjwIOWcAnS0whnavb~i9VWZvOvvobBGD~qSbz1dgJp~ek3WBWdX4t0YTKNoq79i1Ek0Dh2NXbOtoKopJWZrQK6IlQzgmpDTpMN~eLNXlyoQfgzPFwqmnKadhkChDYolYc8r-meyaV~obF7vwmF-MVPY85A3HQm~4FdapwsnBIOofkoA3F60NJ9kqcjsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth city staff presented the draft 2026 utility rate study and solicited feedback from the City Council on proposals that would front‑load capital costs for water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste over the next several years.

The study as discussed shows steep increases in the early years — a cited planning example used in the meeting was an 18% aggregated rate increase in 2025 followed by 15% in 2026 and additional large increases concentrated in the early part of a six‑ to ten‑year capital plan — driven primarily by major near‑term water projects and borrowing to catch up on deferred infrastructure work.

Council members and staff repeatedly returned to two core concerns: how those aggregate percentages translate to typical customer bills and how to make the case to ratepayers. Councilmembers asked staff to provide easy‑to‑read “user scenarios” (residential low‑use, high‑irrigation, small business, restaurant, hotel and multifamily examples) and a one‑ or two‑page summary that shows year‑by‑year bill impacts for representative customers. Staff agreed and pointed council members to tables in the executive summary (for example, a table labeled ES‑15 in the packet that shows proposed typical residential monthly bills) and to a detailed capital project list in the body of the report.

Staff emphasized the capital nature of the increases: operations and maintenance were not the primary drivers, whereas immediate capital projects and catching up on decades of deferred replacements were the main fiscal pressure. The discussion noted that the city has been underfunding replacement of water and sewer mains for decades and that the utility plan assumes both borrowing for immediate projects and setting aside local capital (staff cited an illustrative goal of approximately $600,000 per year across utilities for ongoing replacement funding).

Council members pressed for transparency on which specific projects would be funded by the early increases and what would be postponed if the council chose to smooth increases over more years. Staff said the detailed project lists are in each utility’s section of the report and offered to present a guided walk‑through of the document and to return with the consultant (Kevin, not present at the meeting) for a follow‑up session focused on capital schedules and alternative phasing.

The meeting included a technical point about customer classes: the study applies different percentage increases across classes (residential, commercial, multifamily), so an “18%” across‑the‑board number is an aggregation. Staff pointed out that a typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons or less would see a smaller percent change in many scenarios than the all‑classes aggregate. Staff and council discussed the appearance that multifamily accounts pay substantially lower base sewer charges per unit in the current structure; staff explained it's related to how infrastructure and service are allocated per meter and service line rather than per occupant.

The council did not take any formal action on rates at the meeting. Staff said the consultant contract will be closed out after the council accepts the final document; accepting the study does not obligate the council to adopt the proposed rates. Staff committed to send an accessible spreadsheet of the capital projects and the sample customer scenarios requested by councilmembers and to schedule a follow‑up study session with the consultant for a detailed walk‑through.

The meeting closed the utility discussion with direction to staff to return with simplified bill scenarios and clearer links between the proposed increases and the specific capital projects they would fund.","City staff presented a consultant report that would raise utility rates sharply in the first three years to pay for overdue water and sewer capital projects; council members pressed staff for clearer, user‑level examples and for options to spread costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council authorizes interfund loan after county levy certification error for PRSA; county told to consider making residents whole

Fire officials urge fuel‑reduction shift; council signals support to redirect home‑hardening funds

Local entrepreneur pitches musical adaptation of Miracle Town; council signals interest in licensing city‑held rights

Council reviews transportation improvement plan; underpass and regional trail items stay under long‑term funding

Leavenworth officials review utility rate study proposing large near‑term water and sewer increases