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Yakima County commissioners agree to draft letter supporting regional trolley while noting budget limits
Summary
The Board of Yakima County Commissioners agreed to prepare a brief letter to the City supporting the trolley modernization effort and historic preservation while acknowledging municipal budget constraints and suggesting partnership with local organizations.
Commissioner McKinney said the Yakima County Board of Commissioners would draft a brief letter to the city expressing support for the regional trolley project while acknowledging the city’s budget constraints and encouraging partnership with local organizations.
The board agreed on the basic approach after a short discussion about whether failing to move the trolley project forward would divert state and federal matching funds from other regional projects. The letter will emphasize historic preservation and potential tourism benefits but note fiscal realities and suggest collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA).
Commissioner McKinney opened the discussion by asking whether the board wanted to present “any type of letter to the city council in advance of their vote,” which he believed was scheduled for June 17. Matt, a county staff member, said, “I don't I'm not aware of us losing any kind of any money. It might be distributed to other places instead.” That answer framed the board’s direction: members wanted to express support without asserting that other regional projects would lose funding if the trolley project did not proceed.
Commissioner Curtis said he was “in full support of a letter” and recommended coordinating with the Chamber of Commerce and YCDA. Commissioner Lindy expressed reservations about intervening given limited ridership and the project’s cost. McKinney offered a compromise: “write a letter voicing our support for the trolley and the historical preservation and the riders share as it can contribute to tourism in the area while acknowledging the difficulties that they're facing and offer to be a resource for them.”
The board asked Commissioner McKinney to draft a brief letter. He agreed to prepare the draft while traveling and to send it to Julie Lawrence, clerk of the board, for distribution to commissioners for review the following week.
The draft will be circulated to the board for review before any letter is sent to the City Council.
