The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Present at last week’s meeting of the Waitsburg City Council were members Terry Jacoy, Kevin House, Jim Romine, and Kate Hockersmith, along with Mayor Marty Dunn.

Basin Disposal, Inc., which contracts with the city to provide garbage pickup services, will be increasing its rates starting Jan. 19. Once the city’s administrative costs – which cover the state’s refuse tax, among other things – are factored in, the typical monthly garbage bill will rise to $21.75.

Sheriff John Turner provided the council with an update on the city’s 2018 crime figures. “I’ll admit that this is bittersweet for me,” said the sheriff, who did not seek re-election this year, “because after eight years this is the last update I’ll be doing for Waitsburg.”

Overall, crime is down compared to last year’s figures, and premise checks have increased markedly. (“A premise check,” Turner explained, is when a deputy is on patrol suspects that something’s not quite right, and “takes the initiative to check out a home, a car, or a business…that’s actually a good thing.”)

Those folks grumbling about the recent 2% property tax increase in the county might feel a little better knowing that the City Council opted not to increase property taxes on their end. “Land value went up quite a bit this year,” City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe explained, and although tax rates based on home valuation have decreased, he said that he expects a net bump in revenue. “We don’t need to increase” property taxes, he concluded, and the council voted unanimously to follow his suggestion.

The public comment period on the city’s budget has begun. “Honestly,” said Hinchliffe, “it feels like we’ve been on a public works tear over the last decade.” This year’s budget is no exception, with substantial allocations for inspection and repairs of the sewer system. A copy of the proposed budget can be found on the city’s website.

Also due for an update is the city’s comprehensive plan for community development. The new plan will be different from the soon-to-be-expiring one, in that major housing developments, several of which once seemed imminent, have not materialized and therefore no longer need to be taken into account.

The city’s planning commission recommends approval of the plan as it exists so far, but the document is far from finalized: “People are going to have every opportunity to comment or hear stuff or get involved,” said Karen Gregutt, who sits on the commission. She is looking for people to help collect data on demographics and housing.

The council’s December meeting has been moved to the 27th. The location - the Lions Building at the city fairgrounds – remains unchanged.