The Whitman County Board of Equalization is scheduled to meet November 9, 2026 to review revaluation and new-construction notice dates and to record the status of petitions and any scheduled hearings.

Discussion Points

•Confirm last mailing date for new-construction notices
•Confirm last mailing date for revaluation notices
•Confirm whether hearings are scheduled
•Record whether petitions have been received, stipulated, or remain pending

Nov

November 04, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting for November 4, 2026. Media

Planning commissioners and consultants reviewed expanded solar and battery‑storage siting maps and draft code changes, including a proposed 500‑acre cap per utility installation and a 5,000‑acre countywide limit, setbacks, height limits and potential co‑siting rules.

Discussion Points

•1,500‑foot setback measurement rules; industry standard panel heights (~20 ft); agrivoltaics allowances and livestock impacts.
•Mapping methodology changes increased eligible acreage; desktop screening does not equal final site approval.
•Need for decibel thresholds and down‑lighting language; BESS tiers and relative footprint sizes; screening/landscaping requirements.
•Public asked for farmland protections, 7‑mile exclusion zone, fire‑district involvement and use of comparative ordinance databases.
•Whether 500 acres per facility is commercially viable or arbitrary; whether a 5,000‑acre county cap best protects agriculture; alternatives include market self‑limit, conditional use permits, or higher caps.

Decisions

•No formal ordinance vote taken; commissioners asked staff/consultant for follow‑up information.

Directions

•Commission asked consultant to provide examples and for staff to solicit fire district input.
•Consultants to provide refined maps showing buffer impacts on parcel developable area.
•Consultant to draft suggested sound and lighting language and provide graphics showing screening options.
•Consultant to produce graphics and sample code language mirroring county view‑shed/building restrictions; recommend decibel thresholds or defer to state standards.
•Consultant to research other jurisdictions and provide justification/examples for acreage limits; staff to draft ordinance whereas clauses explaining chosen limits.

Nov

11.02.2026 Whitman County Commissioners Meeting Agenda - Amended

The Whitman County Board of Commissioners was scheduled Nov. 2, 2026, for a workshop and regular board business including a public hearing on the Six‑Year Transportation Improvement Program, road‑vacation matters, staffing requests from the Health Department, and several contracts and budget items.

Discussion Points

•Entrance conference with State Auditor’s Office scheduled
•Health Department requested two positions listed in the workshop (Front Desk/Office Specialist; Nurse)
•Public hearings on TIP and multiple road‑vacation items were scheduled
•Several contracts and a juvenile facility budget were listed without dollar amounts

Nov

11.02.2026 Whitman County Commissioners Meeting Agenda

Whitman County Commissioners are scheduled to hold a workshop and regular meeting on November 2, 2026, at the Commissioners' Chambers in Colfax with remote participation via Zoom. The agenda lists hearings on the six-year transportation plan and multiple road vacations, requests for two Health Department positions, several contracts and an MOU with the City of Pullman and WSU, and a proposed 2027 juvenile facility budget item.

Oct

2026-07-21 Hearing Examiner Meeting

The Pullman hearing examiner held a public hearing on July 21, 2026, for CUP20, a conditional use permit application from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories to expand a private recreation facility at 500 Northwest Greyhound Way; the record was closed and a written decision is due within 10 working days.

Discussion Points

•Planning staff outlined the expansion proposal and agency outreach; applicant described the scope as adding roughly 14,000 square feet of usable space to an existing facility.
•Staff reported two written comments from Pullman Public Schools (Dr. Bob Maxwell and Justin Polstad) but the transcript does not specify their content.

Decisions

•No decision issued at hearing; decision pending in writing within 10 working days.

Directions

•Record closed; examiner to issue written decision within 10 working days.

Oct

2026-08-17 Hearing Examiner Meeting

A Pullman hearing examiner heard a variance request to reduce the minimum lot area for a manufactured home at Campus Vista Manufactured Home Park; the applicant did not appear, the public record was closed, and the examiner will issue a written decision within 10 working days.

Discussion Points

•No public commenters appeared; staff reported no public comments on the proposal.
•Planning staff summarized variance application and agency comments: Pullman Fire and Public Works had no comment; Protective Inspections Division required adherence to plot-plan setback.

Decisions

•Examiner to issue written decision within 10 working days; appeals must be filed in Whitman County Superior Court within 21 days.

Directions

•Examiner closed the public-record portion of the hearing and stated he may keep the record open for additional written testimony at his discretion.

Oct

2026-10-28 Planning Commission Meeting

The Pullman Planning Commission held a public hearing to review Chapters 1–3 of the citys comprehensive plan update, discussed alternative growth scenarios (A preferred), data updates (jobs, acreage), water/aquifer concerns, and routine business including CIPTIP representation and upcoming meeting dates.

Discussion Points

•A commissioner argued the plan emphasizes WSU too much and urged alternative economic corridors and industrial growth.
•Commissioner Lorena volunteered for CIP/TIP representation.
•Commissioners expressed that water/aquifer protection is underemphasized in the plan.
•Exhibit updated jobs figure (30,683 -> 111,370) prompted questioning about methodology.
•Implementation content moved from Chapter 9 into each chapter with an extra column linking policies to actions.
•Per-capita retail-sales fell between 2010 and 2025; commissioners sought reasons for the drop.
•Staff described PBAC work exploring supplemental pumping options and provided per-capita water-use figures.
•Staff outlined schedule for reviewing Chapters 1 3; formal adoption deferred to January after full review.
•Staff said consultant-produced scenarios and public workshops selected a preferred scenario and lack of staff resources prevented remaking the scenarios.
•Staff summarized parking research and offered a future presentation on miniature goats code change.

Decisions

•Commission accepted the minutes and proceeded with a legislative public hearing; no formal adoption or vote on plan chapters occurred tonight.
•Commission accepted volunteer representation informally and will schedule the miniature goats presentation at a later date.
•No changes to exhibits tonight; commission requested staff follow-up and clearer explanatory text in the plan exhibits.
•No formal change adopted tonight; commission requested further analysis and potential rewrites in future meetings.
•No map or scenario was changed at this meeting; commissioners limited changes to wording and clarifications.

Directions

•Staff to add clarifying bridge language explaining that consultants developed scenario alternatives and to identify any new implementation actions compared to prior plan.
•Staff to add clearer explanatory language describing how the preferred scenario was developed and to align plan wording with recent code updates (e.g., allowances for fourplexes).
•Staff to consult economic development manager and finance director to document how jobs and retail-sales figures were calculated and provide clearer exhibit notes about geographic base and assumptions.
•Staff to include Rosar's/Dismore's parking example in future parking materials and to invite the community member to present miniature-goat research at a future meeting.
•Staff to map where water-related policies appear across chapters and propose stronger language or a dedicated aquifer section if warranted.
•Staff to report back with any new implementation actions tied to water conservation and aquifer protection.
•Staff to return next month with remaining chapters and requested clarifications (implementation additions and clarifying wording).

Oct

2026-10-27 Pullman City Council Study Session

City council heard a feasibility report on the Pine Street Plaza pedestrian bridge and staff recommended resetting and repairing the existing bridge this year, with retrofits deferred absent grant funding. Council also received a midyear financial update showing constrained revenues and spending reductions, and heard routine committee and community updates including downtown Halloween programming.

Discussion Points

•Council asked about insurance, funding sources, permitting barriers and timeline to minimize community disruption.
•Council flagged a separate capital need (boiler replacement) at the police facility that may require future funding.
•Council members celebrated downtown marketing and flagged collaboration opportunities.
•DPA reported participation numbers and sponsor list.
•Grant and sales-tax funds are expected to cover three officers and related expenses in 2027.
•Property tax growth is constrained by state law (1% cap on existing properties), making budget decisions harder.
•Revenue drivers and timing effects (grants/reimbursements) can materially affect year-to-date numbers.
•Staff presented three retrofit options and cost estimates and recommended resetting the bridge and repairing the north abutment now.

Decisions

•No budget adoption at this meeting; council to proceed through scheduled workshops with adoption anticipated in December.
•No formal vote taken; council agreed to staff recommendation to reset and repair now and to defer larger retrofits absent grant funding.

Directions

•Council to consider grant-seeking and other revenue strategies to reduce future capital deferrals.
•Document the reset process and negotiate contractor scheduling to reduce future downtime.
•No formal council action; council thanked DPA and encouraged continued partnership on winter events.
•Proceed with abutment repair and reset the bridge by 12/31/2026 using available streets fund dollars.
•Staff to assume the grant and sales tax support in the draft 2027 budget and present details at upcoming workshops.
•Staff to present fee change options on Nov. 17 and continue department-level budget workshops.

Oct

2026-10-26 Board of Equalization Meeting #1

The Whitman County Board of Equalization is scheduled to meet Oct. 26, 2026, to acknowledge the 2027 certified assessment rolls, receive status updates on assessed values and exemptions, and address petitions and any scheduled hearings.

Discussion Points

•Acknowledgement of 2027 certified assessment rolls.
•Questions about mailing dates for revaluation and new construction notices.
•Status of petitions (received, stipulated, pending) and whether hearings are scheduled.
•Status updates on assessed real property, personal property, senior citizen exemptions and new construction values.

Oct

2026-10-20 Pullman City Council Meeting

City of Pullman council met Oct. 20, 2026 for a regular meeting that included the mayor's budget message and public hearings, public comments urging restoration of library hours/staffing, a stormwater rate and general facility charge package (including contentious council debate), approval of the West End Villas final plat/PRD, and an executive-session/legal clarification that an earlier ordinance vote did not meet the statutory vote threshold.

Discussion Points

•Finance director Albrecht outlined the remaining public hearings and workshop schedule and levy deadlines
•Mayor Benjamin outlined prior cost-saving measures including hiring freeze (Nov 2025), voluntary separation incentives, and layoffs earlier in Oct 2026
•Public commenter described staff losses and reduced hours and urged restoration

Decisions

•No immediate reinstatement or budget amendment adopted at meeting
•Public hearings scheduled and budget process timeline adopted for further deliberation

Directions

•Council requested staff include library impacts in budget workshops
•Staff to prepare departmental presentations for workshops on Oct 27 and Nov 2; prepare levy materials for potential Nov. 15 county submittal

Oct

October 21, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting for October 21, 2026. Minutes

Whitman County Planning Commission opened a workshop on Oct. 21, 2026 to kick off a Natural Resource Lands Designation Project led by consultant Facet, review status of Critical Areas and Flood Damage Prevention ordinances, and hear public comments about protecting farmland and concerns about solar and battery energy storage siting. Commissioners approved minutes and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Discussion Points

•County can provide data to consultant
•County has maps of former county quarries and a permit system
•Mapping and code drafts scheduled for Feb. workshops
•Planning Commission hearing to follow assembled comments
•Project purpose and timeline presented
•Project will prioritize agricultural lands mapping
•Public concern about farmland loss and BESS fire risk
•Quarry viability depends on rock exposure and cover thickness
•Requests for buffers and stricter siting rules for industrial-scale renewable infrastructure
•SEPA 14-day comment window will occur within the Commerce review
•SEPA and Commerce 60-day reviews will run before final hearing
•Status of Commerce 60-day review

Decisions

•Minutes approved; meeting adjourned

Directions

•Consultant to perform jurisdictional comparison and mapping; deliver GIS-ready data to county
•Planning Commission to review comments prior to a hearing
•Public Works to supply quarry map and permit data to Planning staff and Facet
•Staff to coordinate schedule and public notice
•Staff to include these public concerns in the Nov. 4 (solar) and Dec. 2 (BESS) workshops for code considerations
•Staff to post updated drafts and collect public comments

Oct

October 21, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting for October 21, 2026. Media

Whitman County Planning Commission held a kickoff presentation on a natural resource lands designation project and discussed the status of critical areas and flood damage prevention ordinance updates; the commission heard public comments urging strong protections for agricultural land and raised concerns about solar and battery storage development and mapping needs.

Discussion Points

•Availability of county quarry maps and permit records
•Clarification that designation is separate from ownership and that enforceable protections come from county code/zoning
•Commerce 60‑day comment period and concurrent SEPA (14‑day) window
•Concerns raised about farmland loss in Washington and about public‑safety and water demands for BESS
•Definition and purpose of natural resource land designations under the Growth Management Act
•Feasibility of GIS interactive layer vs static maps
•Limitations in predicting future quarry locations
•Need for visualizations and technical presentations
•Plan to avoid scheduling a planning commission hearing until Commerce comments are assembled
•Project tasks: jurisdictional review, mapping, draft criteria, SEPA review, workshops
•Public safety risk and water demand for BESS and large solar farms
•Public urged protections to limit industrial conversion of farmland such as large solar farms and BESS
•Whether BESS is colocated with solar or can be sited off‑site

Directions

•Ask presenters to provide visualizations of different facility layouts
•Commission to conduct workshops and provide input in winter/spring
•Schedule technical presentations: Rachel on solar (Nov. 4) and a BESS session (Dec. 2)
•Staff to assemble agency comments during the Commerce 60‑day comment period and return with draft maps/ordinance language
•Staff to incorporate agency comments and present updated draft to commission after Commerce review ends
•Staff to seek available county quarry and permit records and coordinate data transfer from consultant to county GIS

Oct

10.19.2026 Whitman County Commissioners Meeting Agenda - Amended

A bare agenda listing several non-procedural items including a public meeting on "Budget Amendment 2," a Port of Whitman support letter for Boyer Park dock repairs, an IT credit card request, an interim IT director appointment and a notice of public hearing on the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan.

Discussion Points

•Public meeting and companion resolution for Budget Amendment 2 to present proposed changes to the county budget.
•Workshop consideration of Port of Whitman grant support letter for Boyer Park dock repairs and rehabilitation planning project.

Oct

2026-10-13 Pullman City Council Meeting

Routine Pullman City Council meeting with a 9th Legislative District delegation discussing budgets, housing and wildfire response; council approved appointments, accepted a $8,750 public-safety grant for police drones and authorized a contract to seek tax refunds for three battery-electric transit buses.

Discussion Points

•Aging UAV hardware and battery life
•Consultant fee estimated at 20–25% and no upfront cost
•Council support for appointees' prior involvement and communication
•Disclosure by Councilman Vance of prior relationship and campaign contribution
•Estimated $40,000 per bus refund potential
•Grant requires in-kind training time already provided by staff
•Housing trust-fund distribution and code predictability bills
•Impact on Pullman High School and Kamiak Elementary School
•Medicaid cuts and mental-health service impacts
•Proposal scope and funding by local businesses
•Request for city help with departmental contacts and permissions
•Schedule of closures and detours
•State budget structural deficit and capital budget limits
•Wildfire response funding and initial-attack aircraft deployment

Decisions

•Appointments confirmed by unanimous voice vote
•Contract authorized to pursue refunds
•Grant accepted by unanimous voice vote

Directions

•Provide materials to the clerk and follow up with staff

Oct

October 13, 2026, 10.13.2026 Palouse Trail Committee Meeting Agenda. Minutes

A meeting held Oct. 13, 2026 covered routine maintenance, a bylaws revision draft, long-range trail planning and an MOA, postponement of repair work until spring 2027 with winter safety measures, a request to have J-U-B present in December, and consideration of monthly 2027 meetings. Next meeting set for Dec. 8, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Discussion Points

•Approval of April minutes and meeting agenda recorded as passed unanimously.
•Consideration of monthly meetings for 2027; meetings currently scheduled for second Tuesday at 10 a.m.
•Decision to draft bylaws incorporating approved comments.
•End-of-year herbicide application planned; routine maintenance ongoing.
•Interim safety measures to be installed this winter.
•Review of J-U-B scope-of-services plan; request for J-U-B to present in December.
•Solicitation for repair quotes did not go out; committee voted to postpone repairs until spring 2027.

Decisions

•Approval recorded in minutes; no further action recorded.
•Draft assigned; approval deferred to December.
•No final scheduling change recorded in these minutes.
•Postpone major repairs; proceed with safety measures this winter.
•Presentation request recorded; no procurement action recorded.

Directions

•Amendments to bylaws to address scheduling if change adopted.
•Have J-U-B present scope at Dec. 8 meeting.
•Install additional winter safety measures; defer procurement to spring 2027.
•Staff to complete herbicide application (date not specified).
•Yetter to produce draft for December meeting.

Oct

October 07, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting for October 7, 2026. Minutes

Planning Commission began Year 2 of a Department of Commerce Periodic Update Grant to draft solar and battery storage (BESS) ordinance language, reviewed mapping and a proposed 1,500-foot setback, discussed agrivoltaics and visuals, heard several public comments urging a workable local ordinance, and scheduled follow-up work on natural-resource land designations and a separate flood prevention ordinance.

Discussion Points

•Arguments that workable ordinances provide income stability for farmers and protect local services.
•Compatibility of agrivoltaic systems with Palouse cropping and farm operations.
•Concerns about long‑term residual herbicides, drainage tile impacts, decommissioning standards and BESS fire mitigation.
•Natural Resource Land Designations to be drafted separately by Facet; Flood Damage Prevention ordinance to be standalone to reference updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
•Proposal to perform 'code testing' by applying draft regulations to a sample parcel to test feasibility.
•Public concern that overly restrictive setbacks will push permitting to EFSEC and reduce local input.
•Set schedule to front‑load revisions and target a consolidated draft in January 2027; allow time for agency outreach and SEPA/60‑day review.
•Small cleanup items remain for Critical Areas Ordinance after flood separation.
•Whether the 1,500‑foot setback should measure to property lines or structures and whether it is appropriate to apply longstanding rural residential spacing rules to utility‑scale renewable projects.

Directions

•Facet to present at Oct. 21 meeting; staff to merge consultant schedules and return with draft language for public review.
•Post draft materials with agendas; merge consultant schedules so the public can track multiple ordinance tracks.
•Staff/consultants to draft clearer agrivoltaic definitions, vegetation management/decommissioning standards and BESS fire mitigation in next code drafts.
•Staff/consultants to refine setback language and mapping and present alternatives at future meetings.
•Staff to refine setback and mapping; consider liability and fire mitigation language in BESS rules.

Oct

Planning Commission Hearing for October 7, 2026

The Whitman County Planning Commission was asked to consider amendments separating floodplain development rules from the Critical Areas Ordinance and to adopt updated FEMA flood hazard information, and held a Year 2 kickoff workshop on solar and battery storage ordinance drafting on Oct. 7, 2026.

Discussion Points

•Consultant recapped Year 1 direction and sought confirmation of priorities for code drafting.
•DNR/WGS provided technical comments on geologic-hazard and CAO language; staff proposed addressing broader CAO edits in a later update.
•Presentation listed milestone dates for content review and recommended topics including siting, setbacks, screening, safety, operations, and decommissioning.
•Staff emphasized the county must adopt updated FIS/FIRMs and floodplain regulations by Dec. 23, 2026 to remain in the NFIP.
•Staff requested the Planning Commission receive public testimony and consider recommending the proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners.

Oct

October 07, 2026, Planning Commission Hearing for October 7, 2026. Minutes

At its Oct. 7, 2026 public hearing, the Whitman County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of County Commissioners adopt amendments to Whitman County Code Chapters 9.05 and 17.12 to separate and update floodplain development rules and to adopt FEMA's updated Flood Insurance Study and maps effective Dec. 23, 2026.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners reviewed findings and conclusions supporting the recommendation.
•Ecology advised separating floodplain development regulations from Critical Areas to a standalone Chapter 17.12; Planning staff edited drafts for local administration.
•FEMA completed updated FIS and FIRMs with a Letter of Final Determination dated June 23, 2026; effective date Dec. 23, 2026.
•No substantive public opposition recorded; one commenter thanked staff for clarifying the handling of additional agency comments.
•SEPA DNS issued Sept. 10, 2026 with no comments; state agency review via PlanView remains open through Nov. 3, 2026.

Decisions

•Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendation approved and transmitted to BOCC.
•Planning Commission approved Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and recommended adoption of the proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners.

Directions

•Include agency comments received before Nov. 3, 2026 in the record as appropriate.
•Staff may incorporate limited revisions responsive to state agency comments received before Nov. 3, 2026 if they do not substantially alter scope or purpose.
•Staff to transmit recommendation, findings, minutes, and proposed ordinances to the Board of County Commissioners.
•Transmit records and proposed ordinances to BOCC.

Sep

2026-09-29 Pullman City Council Study Session

At a Sept. 29, 2026 study session, Pullman city leaders heard a detailed stormwater rate study proposing three service levels and a $388.66-per-ERU general facilities charge; council discussed options and asked staff to return with a level-2 rate resolution and a separate GFC proposal. The session also included a housing committee update on a centralized housing resources webpage, routine consent items and a mayoral proclamation for Domestic Violence Action Month.

Discussion Points

•A centralized page with about 40 resources would provide immediate hotlines and partner links.
•A local agency representative described confidential services and outreach.
•Consent agenda items read into record including disbursements and engagement agreement.
•Council split on preferred level: several favor higher investment (level 3) while others favor level 1 or 2; staff asked to return with level-2 and separate GFC resolution.
•GFC proposed at ~$388.66 per ERU; intended for capital and growth-pay-for-growth.
•Mayor read a proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Action Month and thanking community partners.
•No formal council action required; proclamation is ceremonial.
•No items removed; motion to approve passed by voice vote.
•Renters currently lack representation on the committee; councilors requested adding lived-experience voices.
•Staff should maintain the page with link/phone checks twice a year.
•Three levels of service presented (minimum/proactive/optimal) with corresponding rate paths.

Decisions

•Consent agenda approved
•Council member Wright excused

Directions

•Housing presenter to circulate draft to council and staff; staff to work on a maintenance process and periodic checks.
•Staff to prepare a rate resolution (level-2 option) and a separate GFC resolution.
•Staff to provide additional outreach material and options for affordable housing carve-outs.

Sep

2026-09-23 Planning Commission Meeting

The Pullman Planning Commission met on Sept. 23, 2026 for a regular session that featured a recorded statewide short course on local planning, a live legal training on the Open Public Meetings Act, a long discussion about metrics and public engagement for the comprehensive‑plan update, and a wide-ranging conversation about parking policy and research needs. The commission approved the July minutes and set future meeting dates.

Discussion Points

•Approval of minutes via motion and second.
•Chair reported two applicants forwarded to mayor for commission vacancies.
•Current published data sources: American Community Survey and OFM population estimates.
•Electronic exchanges, CCed recipients, site visits and post‑meeting discussions can create meetings under OPMA.
•Interest in innovative curbspace management (smart loading zones) and whether to reduce parking minimums further.
•OPMA applies to deliberation and final action when quorum is present.
•Staff cautioned about state law exemptions and recommended an evaluative approach after recent reductions.
•Staff logs meetings and speakers but not always room attendance counts.
•Staff offered the short course as a follow-up resource and solicited topics for deeper training.
•Video summarized GMA, comprehensive plan elements, and implementation pathways.

Decisions

•Minutes approved.

Directions

•Chair and staff to coordinate with mayor and council on appointment timing.
•Staff to: 1) survey local large‑lot businesses/developers about parking needs and historic lot sizing; 2) compile research on smart loading zones and parking maximums; 3) evaluate outcomes of earlier parking reductions before new code changes.
•Staff to compile meeting dates, speaker counts, and available attendance figures for planning commission review.
•Staff to continue to provide procedural guidance on notice requirements, documentation of continuances, and recordkeeping for email accounts used for city business.
•Staff to identify targeted topics and arrange speakers or workshops based on commissioner interest.

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