Green River council approves canvass, appoints disposal agent, OKs surplus-auction process and sends RAP tax renewal to ballot

The Green River City Council unanimously approved four actions at a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19, including the official canvass of primary-election results, the appointment of the city manager as the disposal agent for surplus property, authorization to sell surplus equipment by public auction, and placement of a 0.1% recreation, arts and parks (RAP) tax renewal on the November ballot.

The actions put the primary-election canvass on the record and send a voter decision on the RAP tax to the Nov. 4 ballot, where residents will decide whether to renew a 0.1% sales tax dedicated to recreation, arts and parks. Mayor Pat said the city must submit materials to the lieutenant governor’s office within two days to meet the ballot deadline.

Council approved the official canvass of the primary-election totals as presented by the county election board. Council members voted unanimously to accept the adjusted totals; the mayor noted the canvass showed one or two small corrections in vote counts compared with election-night figures but that those differences did not change outcomes.

Separately, the council appointed City Manager Edward Castro Bennett as the disposal agent under the city’s surplus-property code (Section 19(b)(4)), authorizing him to oversee the sale or disposal process. Councilmembers discussed the administrative burden of the current code and said they may seek a code change to simplify disposal procedures for low-value items.

The council also authorized sale of surplus equipment and property by public auction under the city—s 19(b)(5) procedure. Items described during the meeting included municipal water meters (sizes 3/4 inch, 1-1/2 inch and 2 inch), a 2001 Dodge Dakota (six-cylinder), and miscellaneous metal storage tanks including a water tank and a propane tank. Councilmembers said the auction requires a 10-day public notice and other statutory postings before items are offered for sale.

Finally, the council approved Resolution R05-2025 to place a 0.1% recreation, arts and parks (RAP) tax renewal on the November ballot. Council discussion described past RAP-tax uses such as replacing park sprinklers, resurfacing a basketball court, payments for splash-pad work at Anderson Park, and hiring lifeguards for the KOA pool. Council members said the city collected about $51,000 from the RAP tax in a year when the city had about $51,000,000 in taxable sales; they described the tax as one penny for every $10 of taxable purchases.

Council members asked staff to prepare the voter information pamphlet required by state law, including a plan of finance and priority project list for the ballot pamphlet. The mayor said city staff and the city manager will prepare that material for a council vote in September so the materials can be submitted with the ballot packet.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the official canvass of the primary-election results: passed (unanimous). Motion made and seconded on the floor; roll call recorded unanimous approval among those present. - Motion to appoint City Manager Edward Castro Bennett as disposal agent for sale/disposal of city surplus equipment and property (per code 19(b)(4)): passed (unanimous). - Motion to authorize sale of surplus equipment and property by public auction (per code 19(b)(5)): passed (unanimous). Items to be offered include water meters (3/4", 1-1/2", 2"), a 2001 Dodge Dakota (6-cylinder), and miscellaneous metal storage tanks. - Motion to adopt Resolution R05-2025 calling for placement of a 0.1% recreation, arts and parks (RAP) tax renewal on the Nov. 4 ballot: passed (unanimous). The council agreed staff will prepare the voter pamphlet information and a project priority list for a future meeting.

The meeting adjourned after the votes. Mayor Pat emphasized the deadline to transmit ballot materials to the lieutenant governor—s office and staff said they will return to the council in September with the required project list and plan of finance for the RAP-tax pamphlet.