Council declines to join Rainier Communications Comcast audit, citing uncertain return

Council considered whether Orting should pay a $10,000 flat fee to participate in a Rainier Communications Commission (RCC) audit of Comcast receipts. City Administrator Mark Bethune said RCC selected an auditor and that Orting's fee—$10,000—represents the flat rate for cities under 10,000 population; larger cities pay more. He cautioned the council that the audit might not recover any funds and that the city could lose its $10,000 investment. "There's a chance that you won't recoup your $10,000 or any extra money, so there's risk there," Bethune said.