Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County, Port release economic development grants for Prescott town-hall expansion
Summary
The Board approved separate but related releases of Economic Development Sales Tax Fund monies: Port of Walla Walla requested a $200,000 grant to the City of Prescott (the port's loan option will not be used), and Walla Walla County released $181,039.35 to cover the remainder of the purchase price. Commissioners approved both motions 3-0 after confirming the city will not need to repay the funds.
The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved the release of economic development sales-tax funds for the City of Prescott's Town Hall expansion and modernization, voting to release funds through both a Port request and the county's own sales tax fund.
Commissioner Clayton noted the purchase-and-sale agreement backup referenced a loan; Port Director Pat Ray (online) clarified the port's request was for a $200,000 grant and that the port had also authorized a loan option that Prescott would not access. "On our request, it's a grant," Ray said, and both the port and county motions reflected that understanding.
The county portion — $181,039.35 — was described by the board as the remainder of the purchase price; commissioners voted to release those funds and to correct the proposal year to 2026 where needed. Both Port and county motions were approved 3-0.
Why it matters: The combined funding supports a municipal facility project for the City of Prescott; commissioners confirmed there is no requirement that Prescott repay the grant funds to the port or the county in the presented agreements.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the paperwork to release the Port grant and county funds and verify consistency among the purchase-and-sale documents.
