The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON — Mayor Zac Weatherford called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., October 10, 2023. Weatherford and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, Dain Nysoe, and Shannon McMillen were present; Laura Aukerman was absent.

Tammy Ketterman, from the Columbia County Assessor’s Office, briefed the Council on property tax options for the City, explaining terms such as “banked capacity.” Ketterman’s presentation was strictly informational as a prelude to preparing next year’s budget, so no action was necessary at this meeting.

This discussion lasted about half an hour, and the Mayor said the discussion would likely be discussed in an upcoming workshop.

Sheriff Joe Helm reported his office responded to 716 calls in September, including 187 traffic stops, 13 traffic accidents, and three DUI investigations. Tina Bobbitt, County Emergency Management Director, added six fire calls for the City of Dayton and four in the County. She also reported 33 EMS calls for Dayton and 17 for Columbia County.

The Council approved the consent agenda and voted to approve Resolution 1523, which authorizes a Municipal Services Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for Fiscal Year 2024.

The next item on the agenda was to consider authorizing Resolution 1524 concerning a utility rate increase. It was tabled at the request of the Finance Committee while they were still working on the numbers.

Mayor Weatherford gave an update on the wastewater treatment project and mentioned no significant obstacles to the project so far.

The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on November 14, 2023. During November and December, the Mayor announced he plans to have two council meetings each month to get through the budget process and other work that the city needs to be completed by the end of the year.