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Pasco council approves aquatic center fund and budget amendment, adopts water‑rights fee changes and several land and infrastructure measures
Summary
At its March 2 meeting the City of Pasco council approved two ordinances establishing an aquatic center fund and amending the biennial budget (additional $2,557,900), adopted water‑rights code changes and multiple land‑use and infrastructure resolutions including a parcel purchase for process water reuse and acceptance of a roundabout project. Council action was taken by motion and voice votes or roll call where noted.
The City of Pasco council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its March 2 meeting that together establish new funding for the forthcoming aquatic center, adjust water‑rights fees and advance several land‑use and infrastructure projects.
Aquatic center fund and budget: Staff recommended and council adopted ordinance 4821 to create a special revenue fund to record Pasco Public Facilities District (PPFD) revenues and ordinance 4822 to amend the 2025–2026 biennial budget. Finance staff said the budget amendment provides additional spending authority of $2,557,900 to support initial staffing and operating costs; staff stated all aquatic‑center staffing costs are planned to be reimbursed by the PPFD under an interlocal agreement and that the city will maintain general‑fund neutrality. “We’re seeking an additional spending authority for... $2,557,900,” finance staff said. Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved both ordinances; each motion was seconded and the council adopted both measures by voice vote.
Water‑rights code changes: Council adopted ordinance 4824 to adjust the city’s water‑rights acquisition fee structure and related code sections. Staff said the city raised its in‑lieu fee in 2023 to $4,150 per acre‑foot, removed previous commercial and industrial exemptions, and added a 50% surcharge on rights moved from property after the effective date of the 2023 ordinance. Staff explained council direction to grandfather the prior fee level ($1,725 per acre‑foot) for certain preliminary plats approved before the change but not to grandfather the 50% surcharge. Deputy city manager Sigdell led the presentation and council approved the ordinance on motion.
Rezones and zoning actions: The council adopted ordinance 4823 to rezone a parcel near North 5th Avenue from C‑1 commercial to R‑1 low‑density residential after staff and the hearing examiner recommended approval. Council also instructed staff to delay two interrelated comprehensive‑plan amendment items that needed further legal review and possible public hearing after members requested that two additional properties be considered for inclusion.
Conservation district annexation and ILA: Council approved resolution 3711 to petition inclusion of city territory into the Franklin County Conservation District and then approved an interlocal agreement to streamline mitigation and technical assistance. Staff said average additional property tax for the district would be about $5.03 annually per parcel; council members discussed tradeoffs between a small tax increase and the conservation district’s technical and educational services.
Parcel purchase for Process Water Reuse Facility: Council authorized resolution 3714 to purchase Franklin County parcel number 124710063 for expansion of the PWRF land‑treatment system. Staff said the city negotiated the price down from an initial $2.4 million to $2.25 million and argued the parcel’s adjacency lowers future development costs compared with more distant sites.
Roundabout acceptance: Council accepted work and closed out the Court Street and Road 68 roundabout project (resolution 3716), noting the construction contract reconciled to about $2.4 million and that the project was funded with a mix of federal and state safety grants and local funds.
Procedural notes: Council set a public hearing for a proposed fiber‑optic franchise (NFC Northwest LLC) for April 6, 2026 (resolution 3715). The council also held the statutorily required public hearing on a temporary moratorium on less‑restrictive‑alternative housing and closed that hearing after no public testimony specific to the moratorium was offered.
Why it matters: The aquatic‑center funding authorizes early operational spending and a dedicated accounting structure; the water‑rights changes materially adjust the city’s development‑related water fee framework and remove prior exemptions. Land purchases and transportation improvements advance capacity for industrial reuse and public‑safety improvements.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with fund setup, ILA implementation with the PPFD for aquatic center operations, public posting of PWRF documents and follow‑up on the comprehensive‑plan items the council tabled for legal and outreach review.
