By SHANNEN TALBOT
Staff Reporter 

Airway Heights council debates property taxes

 

Last updated 10/18/2018 at 4:57pm



The Airway Heights City Council held a public hearing at their Oct. 15 meeting on revenue sources for the current expense fund for the 2019 budget, sparking conversation about possible property tax increases.

In the budget, a 1 percent property tax increase of $11,802.10 is proposed, as well as a 1 percent increase of $1,352 for EMS. An EMS tax levy was approved by the voters on Nov. 3, 2015 in the initial amount of $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. An excess bond obligation levy was also approved on Aug. 2, 2016 in the amount of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Councilman Sonny “James” Weathers expressed some concern over the increase, noting that Airway Heights has the highest tax rates in the county and suggesting that some creative thinking on the part of city officials might make the increase unnecessary.

Council has about a month to think about it and brainstorm solutions before moving forward. The property tax ordinance will be on the City Council agenda at the Nov. 5 meeting for a first reading.

Council unanimously authorized an amendment to the city’s environmental agreement with the United States Air Force that would renew their current agreement for at least another year. The Air Force currently provides resources to the city for purchasing water from Spokane following the contamination of the Airway Heights water supply last year.

Also unanimously approved was a resolution to borrow money from the water/sewer fund for the city’s new fire engine, the purchase of which was approved August 2017. The interfund transfer is not to exceed $500,000. The fire department will pay the money back over the course of five years.

A policy establishing a procedure for the purchase of right-of-ways was approved at the recommendation of city staff and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The city will be embarking on securing a right-of-way for the Craig Road and Highway 2 project, plus one along 21st Avenue, in the near future.

A document detailing staff recommendations for the 2019 legislative session was also brought to council to consider. Staff recommended presenting multiple funding items to the state Legislature, such as additional lights at the city’s new recreation complex currently under construction, as well as a Highway 2 bypass near Garfield Road.

Shannen Talbot can be reached at shannen@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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