[{"_1":2,"_106":-5,"_107":-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",[32,75,86,96],{"_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",6186838,"mediaKeyId","5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484","parentId",5074154,"title","Franklin County approves $500,000 settlement in Moore v. Franklin County following executive session","audioSeconds",684,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",7884000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484&start=7200&end=7884","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186838/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-approves-500000-settlement-in-Moore-v-Franklin-County-following-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186838-d76d70f64e347be5dcc6736ab10f3a99/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356759&Signature=lV207aL1eNNHJMXahTU7OuGcx2xg~G43YrzvfIL2kxOMu5MIv4H4LpOgNCHujBeCy9-MQiWd2Udg0PACiA-wcKTX-YZycd~jU2SJzbT0LN4xBRT4fixVCvpvIGCuc6bo76ImgBphV9cFxF9-2NanZcXGGcl8f-HdR-Uid6KDefb2o5eN047bfPIrQ40SaGn3oNnBy-ZI0RTlfeiCfG60kqMIZqzmqw52eLp2VUHzRBZZVwuF8ZAdAzqyzC5g5qJstmqny~IAXOFc7Geh~tSlG91ab~ZcmnYUDCUthT67ipQWyanCNHcFfrMxVQ-jHBtz1v3f4BVbwR6UFbcSPh-i4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-06-25T15:53:30Z","article","After recessing into executive session to discuss litigation, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners reconvened and approved a settlement offer in Moore v. Franklin County, Walla Walla Superior Court case 23‑2‑00161‑36.

Commissioner Baumann moved to approve the settlement in the amount of $500,000 and to authorize the county administrator to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the settlement. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board announced the action after the executive session and recorded the motion and vote on the public record. No further details about the claims or settlement terms beyond the payment amount and authorization to execute documents were provided at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/25/2025 Franklin County, WA Board of County Commissioners Regular meeting and Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","After an executive session for litigation, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $500,000 settlement in Moore v. Franklin County and authorized the county administrator to sign settlement documents.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5109,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186842,"USDA state director visits Franklin County as communities press for water, infrastructure and economic aid after plant closure",0,3092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484&start=3092&end=3092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484/thumbnail_3092000.jpg","/articles/6186842/Franklin-County/Washington/USDA-state-director-visits-Franklin-County-as-communities-press-for-water-infrastructure-and-economic-aid-after-plant-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186842-a6ec43c3ce6a5afd1ecb2f1105d13ea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356759&Signature=aLq1bnanRTo9wSkxcxTnHTUF4sA-c8c36Vkg2UJq-JzOjW3oQP64r16EFrVLT1DncZJy9ZOcEmahCGNcfrYwXqWI-ZiFww1Sy3Lc-ZDTCvfgi-R2TvVGcUoDo-CZM3mMH2GLw8OzZId9bOGD34X2YmpPtxhWC6CUR~HexfHwXn0g2BaUhYq4YPgiKiytxYiPVP42pK9oS3KE8LtdySU87~Aad2Xs0kP4XN9uGK03WqtN-xTbPFq3L2Xu2aWRpOjfG1JYMLNGNIrb58Yk0OjP3sEVjeYtxlphxwdQdmq24FKtCsbjxk-Z0sA5DBdriV92Nj1XxxH9G5Wk9rbEo0YjLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","USDA Rural Development State Director Kirk Pearson and agency staff visited Franklin County on 2025-06-30 to hear local infrastructure and economic needs, including failing small water systems, sewer challenges and the economic fallout after a potato processing plant closed in Connell.

Pearson described USDA Rural Development’s three program pillars—housing, community facilities and business programs—and said the agency’s goal on this tour is a community assessment to identify projects that could be supported with loans, grants or technical assistance. “We’re nonregulatory,” Pearson told the board and the audience, “but we … want to prop up, especially our local government.” Phil Aigman, USDA regional staff, distributed program information and contact cards to county staff.

Local officials and residents outlined immediate needs. Basin City water‑district board member Matt Neff said the district is “running out of water,” described repeated line breaks and a recent deep‑well drilling attempt that cost roughly $250,000 and “was a bust,” and said the district had shifted to a high‑nitrate well to keep service. Neff said the district struggles to match project bids to available grants and that customer rates currently fall short of levels lenders expect for some financing.

Connell City Administrator Kathleen Koch said her city lost a large employer, reporting that about 400 plant employees were affected and roughly 150 of those live in Connell. She said the city’s general fund and utility revenues dropped—Koch said the Connell water fund “saw a 50% reduction in revenue”—and asked for infrastructure investment to restore economic momentum. Koch said Connell already had a $2 million state grant for a new well planning project and that the city was pursuing industrial site readiness work with the Port of Pasco and consultants.

Other speakers described small, aging water systems—steel mains that leak, systems with frequent pump failures and communities that have applied for state money with unsuccessful results. Local emergency‑service leaders also said volunteer EMS and fire resources are stretched by large service areas, tourist traffic near Palouse Falls and responses to a nearby corrections center.

USDA staff said their programs can cover small water and wastewater systems, community facilities such as rural hospitals and fire/emergency equipment, housing repair grants for seniors, and business development grants and loan guarantees. USDA staff asked counties and local utilities to share project lists and contact information so the agency can prioritize funding and bring federal partners to a future coalition meeting.

What happens next: USDA staff will collect local project information, provide program contact materials, and plan follow‑up visits and technical assistance as appropriate. Local officials said they will share water‑system studies, project bids and grant applications with USDA staff for coordination.","USDA Rural Development State Director Kirk Pearson toured Franklin County June 30, met local officials and residents from Connell, Basin City and other towns, and heard requests for funding for water systems, wastewater, housing and economic recovery after a major employer closed a plant.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186847,"Franklin County adopts 6‑year transportation plan updates, vacates portion of Terrace Drive and amends speed‑limit code",1170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484&start=1170&end=1170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484/thumbnail_1170000.jpg","/articles/6186847/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-adopts-6year-transportation-plan-updates-vacates-portion-of-Terrace-Drive-and-amends-speedlimit-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186847-0ce1014441f2485e0978a3773b0be99b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356759&Signature=Fn7ZxOvacsp2EBuXu-A5XsyJkJzXXREfJpa3zCYgK7EEAm8VGC~uEPv8tKQKQxWJ-ysWelBgjt3TjYCjBJqH~T-fgOXAVcETlLdNivxmr~qyQfILl~QXVb1PemO2tkFa4s1mDuj0yReKK~ZUUahgamB0tzW7GBw0ybu1k6FUzBno~Y1I7iojMqUdEbNhKKPXSCwrmdjirz0J3kfLPTr4mCBO19NNIfv3-x74~EXmiyfsk~5pXK0FYVAx5rs3mbGCy2YmhcIb83lEm-LU6qWVeqzD8dNpXdYjq-7bW7QLQHgqFi7EGmoUxKAWjfFXsY7aDsfBg03bDylUsv9lG7F2fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners on 2025-06-30 adopted updates to the county’s transportation plans, approved a petitioned vacation of a portion of Terrace Drive and approved an ordinance that updates the county’s speed‑limit listing to reflect recent plats and annexations.

Craig Erdman, county engineer, told the board that an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program is needed after Franklin County secured Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for the R‑170 pavement rehabilitation project. The amendment divides the R‑170 work into three projects so the newly acquired STBG funds can be obligated. The board adopted the TIP amendment as resolution 2025‑200.

Erdman also presented the county’s 6‑year Transportation Improvement Program and described the document as a planning tool required by RCW 36.81.121; the board adopted the TIP for the upcoming period as resolution 2025‑201. He noted that some projects have moved up the list, that through annexation the county now controls only one leg of a particular intersection and that coordination with the City of Pasco will be necessary where jurisdiction overlaps.

In an open public hearing the board unanimously approved resolution 2025‑199 to vacate a portion of Terrace Drive after the county engineer reported the right‑of‑way was no longer needed for the road system and utility providers had been contacted. The engineer recommended retaining a 10‑foot electrical easement for Franklin PUD under the statutory authority cited in the report. Erdman reminded the board that county code requires unanimous approval for a vacation.

Finally, the board opened and adopted ordinance O6‑2025, a housekeeping amendment to Chapter 10.08.020 of the Franklin County Code that updates the list of roads and removes streets lost to annexation; Erdman said no existing speed limits were changed.

All three land‑use or transportation actions were adopted after public hearings and passed by voice vote.","The county commissioners adopted a 6‑year Transportation Improvement Program and a related amendment to obligate STBG funds, unanimously vacated a portion of Terrace Drive right‑of‑way, and adopted a housekeeping amendment to the county speed‑limit ordinance.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":78,"_43":99,"_45":99,"_47":100,"_49":101,"_51":102,"_53":103,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":104,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":105,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186852,"Franklin County approves staffing request and small coroner transfers; larger coroner contingency tabled",4286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484&start=4286&end=4286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074154-19fc7a9986d6982cee6a808342e05484/thumbnail_4286000.jpg","/articles/6186852/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-approves-staffing-request-and-small-coroner-transfers-larger-coroner-contingency-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186852-ae07399a842e03569e8f90fa3550c6ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356759&Signature=PH6NZ~sHs5HfHDL3-eHdu~TSKJrLjcPppfhFxTN9KdD4n2gQESA3b4bw1vSBA1mLiqStHpzUs2KhFl16j6BtvzUSy9NWpqhuy3-mQy-~PqTSlVlN3skkifTXKMDuQ3mNm7HHyXqo6VsqqWNACCkpXZ8k1optA4En3O-BzJrSk7ak63ZDbEmPrFkcomtO7DGeEm1Txjon5BY1Ebfi6mnufDJDb0T0SSnBeq~GC-n9Oav30ILTa3USUjLnujLL-JcZmzm5ceQ9IR2G1CQpPKUKmgN1K6Im5ucv4BxpYxyiIo6VdyIx7QbbzFp0i3Y-glmi8bA1rlp9DBQpj3v4pjYEow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on 2025-06-30 approved a request to add an information‑systems analyst and approved a $5,919 inter‑budget transfer for the coroner's office, while tabling a separate $43,050 contingency transfer tied to completion of the new coroner facility.

County Administrator Brian Danzel told the board that after moving responsibilities from another department the county’s information‑services workload—particularly public‑records requests and access control—has increased and “I fully believe that we need this position to be able to carry out the function” that the county consolidated. The board approved resolution 2025‑195 as presented.

Coroner James McGarry presented an inter‑budget transfer moving funds from the travel line to small tools and equipment so the office can buy cabinets and other morgue fixtures. McGarry said the transfer is “Dollars 5,919.” He also told commissioners that grant money for a lift and shelving, “right around 12,000,” is expected but will likely not be available until September. The board approved resolution 2025‑197 to move the $5,919.

On a separate item the coroner’s request to draw $43,050 from the county’s non‑departmental contingency fund to finish construction of the morgue was discussed at length. McGarry explained the project had been funded with a combination that included American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies and that the contingency amount represents a remaining shortfall. Commissioners asked for more detail on line‑item sources and the courthouse expansion fund before releasing the contingency. A motion to table the $43,050 transfer until next week was made and seconded; the board agreed to delay action so accounting staff can present the courthouse expansion funding and remaining balances. McGarry said the project’s targeted completion date is Aug. 1 and that lease talks with a potential tenant could generate roughly $2,000 a month.

Also on the consent calendar the board approved resolution 2025‑194, which staff described as related to a public‑works grant allowing supervised crews to collect illegal dump site litter with no current budget impact.

Discussion only and formal actions were kept separate: the information‑services hire and the $5,919 transfer were approved by motion and voice vote; the $43,050 contingency transfer was tabled for further review.

What happens next: staff will return with detailed accounting that ties ARPA, courthouse expansion and contingency fund balances to the coroner project before the board considers the contingency transfer again next week.","The Board of Franklin County Commissioners approved an information‑services staff request and a small coroner budget transfer June 30, but deferred a $43,050 contingency transfer for final review next week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Franklin County approves $500,000 settlement in Moore v. Franklin County following executive session

USDA state director visits Franklin County as communities press for water, infrastructure and economic aid after plant closure

Franklin County adopts 6‑year transportation plan updates, vacates portion of Terrace Drive and amends speed‑limit code

Franklin County approves staffing request and small coroner transfers; larger coroner contingency tabled