Pasco Council approves consent agenda, zoning change, interlocal agreement and irrigation rate plan; selects recruitment firm

The Pasco City Council on Monday approved a slate of routine items and several formal actions, adopting a rezone of a West A Street parcel, authorizing an amended interlocal agreement with Benton County Emergency Services and approving new irrigation utility rates and fees. The council also voted to retain GMP Consultants to run the city manager recruitment.

The consent agenda passed on a single roll-call vote and included the approval of claims totaling $3,743,876.74 and multiple memoranda of understanding and service agreements, among them resolution Nos. 4,575–4,580 and 4,577–4,580 (listed in the meeting packet). The council then adopted ordinance No. 4,764 to rezone 2326 W. A Street from I-1 (light industrial) to R-4 (high-density residential) and approved resolution No. 4,581, the fourth amended and restated interlocal agreement with Benton County Emergency Services (BCES).

The council debated two alternatives for new irrigation utility connection fees and multi-year rate increases before adopting ordinance No. 4,765 on a 6–1 vote. Under the adopted alternative (labeled option B in staff materials) the council approved a $1,000 per-connection fee and a multi-year rate schedule beginning with an increase of roughly 17.75% for the first three years followed by 3% annual adjustments for the next three years. Councilmember Harpster had supported the lower connection-fee approach as a way to lessen the immediate cost burden on new housing while funding system upgrades.

Councilmembers also voted unanimously to contract with GMP Consultants to manage the city manager recruitment process. Staff said the selected firm will begin work promptly under a 12–13 week timeline described in proposals submitted to the city.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (claims and routine items): Approved, roll-call vote; claims totaled $3,743,876.74. - Ordinance No. 4,764 (Z2024-009 Columbia Riverwalk Apartments West rezone: 2326 W. A St. from I-1 to R-4): Adopted unanimously. - Resolution No. 4,581 (Fourth amended and restated interlocal agreement with Benton County Emergency Services): Adopted unanimously. - Ordinance No. 4,765 (irrigation utility rates and connection fee, option B): Adopted 6–1; establishes $1,000 connection fee and staged rate increases (first 3 years ~17.75%, then 3% annually). - Selection of recruitment firm for city manager search (GMP Consultants): Approved unanimously.

Council members who voted aye during roll calls included Councilmember Grama, Councilmember Harpster, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blaisdell, Mayor Pro Tem Milne and Mayor Serrano on items called as unanimous; the irrigation rates ordinance passed 6–1 (one dissent recorded). No recorded votes failed.

Why it matters: the rezone allows higher-density residential development at 2326 W. A Street, the interlocal agreement clarifies records and retention responsibilities in regional emergency services, and the irrigation ordinance establishes new fees and a multi-year rate plan intended to fund needed upgrades and future growth of the irrigation system. The recruitment contract starts the formal search for a permanent city manager.