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Lewiston weighs options for RAPS tax funding: restrooms, parking and pickleball upgrades
Summary
Council reviewed RAPS (restaurant tax) awards: $35,000 used for a completed pickleball resurfacing project and $56,000 previously awarded for restrooms that have not been started; members discussed whether to reapply for funds, pursue parking and ADA improvements, and seek additional bids and matching money before the application deadline.
The Lewiston City Council discussed use of RAPS tax funds Feb. 17 and options for projects that would qualify for recreation-focused grants.
Council staff reported $35,000 had been used to resurface the pickleball court and that a separately awarded $56,000 for new public restrooms has not yet been spent; the restroom project was bid at about $168,000. Council members debated whether to reapply for RAPS funds for the restrooms, to instead use the funds for parking-lot repairs and ADA access improvements adjacent to the pickleball area, or to seek additional grants for benches and other park amenities.
"If I were on the RAPS tax board and I gave someone $56,000 to do a project, and they haven't started it, I would question it," one council member said, urging the city to demonstrate commitment to finishing awarded projects before asking for more. The council set a short timeline for follow-up: staff will collect additional bids and scope estimates so the mayor or designee can submit an application before the RAPS deadline two weeks from Friday.
Council members emphasized matching funds or a concrete plan to complete already-awarded projects would strengthen any new application. The council asked for more exact bids on restroom construction and parking repairs, and suggested prioritizing projects with broader public benefit and ADA access improvements.
