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Walla Walla County approves economic development funds to help Prescott school district purchase town-hall property
Summary
The county commissioners approved using county economic development sales-tax funds to help the City of Prescott buy and update the Teacher's Cottage, a move commissioners said aims to stabilize the financially distressed Prescott School District.
The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 1 to approve use of the county's portion of economic development sales-tax revenues to help the City of Prescott purchase and modernize the Teacher's Cottage as part of a town-hall expansion.
Commissioner Clayton moved to approve the proposal and the chair seconded; the motion passed with two votes in favor and one commissioner absent. Clayton said the Prescott School District is in "financial distress" and that the city's purchase of the cottage would provide needed infrastructure and help the district's balance sheet by selling surplus real estate.
"The school district really is the economic, cultural, social hub of the community," Commissioner Clayton said, arguing the county contribution would "help the kids out" and avoid longer student commutes if the district closed. He said the port had already committed $200,000 from its portion of county economic development sales tax and that the county portion is discretionary under the local funding rules.
The county did not provide the exact dollar amount approved for the county portion in the meeting discussion; commissioners described the decision as a discretionary award from the county economic development fund and said it complements other contributions and local efforts to keep the district solvent.
The vote capped a short discussion in which board members and staff noted Mayor Jay Potts of Prescott could not attend but had previewed the request. Commissioners emphasized the funding is intended to support school operations and community infrastructure rather than to assume district liabilities.
Votes at a glance: The board also approved routine consent items (minutes, vouchers) and other agenda motions during the Dec. 1 session; see the "Votes at a glance" section in the meeting report for a complete list of passed items and resolutions.
Next steps: County staff will coordinate with the City of Prescott and port officials on the disbursement and any required reporting steps for the economic-development sales-tax fund allocation.
