County approves reimbursable agreement with City of Walla Walla for Reeser Road improvements and utility extension

Walla Walla — The Board of County Commissioners voted Monday to approve a reimbursable intergovernmental agreement with the City of Walla Walla to coordinate utility extensions and construction on a Reeser Road project near the high school.

Joel Dickerson, county engineer, told the board the agreement allows the city to extend water and sewer while the county constructs road improvements (about a half‑mile corridor that will include two roundabouts). Dickerson said the city’s work will create a circular water network and allow the city to remove a pump station by providing a gravity sewer connection; the city will design and fund its utility work while the county leads the road project.

Commissioners asked whether annexation or mandatory hookup requirements would follow utility availability. Dickerson said the city does not automatically require county residents to connect but noted that utility connections are often followed by property owners’ petitions for annexation; city staff said they do not initiate annexations but will accept petitions. Commissioner Clayton asked whether properties outside the city could be required to connect; staff replied that hookup requirements typically apply after annexation, except in emergency public‑health circumstances.

The board approved the reimbursable agreement by vote and asked staff to ensure transparency for affected property owners about future annexation and connection rules. Commissioner Clayton said it is sensible to coordinate utility installation while the road is being reconstructed to avoid redoing work.

The motion passed unanimously. Public Works said it will provide property owners with information about timing, potential petitions for annexation, and how service connections might be handled if septic systems fail.