Financial losses piling up from flood and COVID-19 intrusion

DAYTON–City Administrator Trina Cole reported initial loss of revenue at the City Council meeting recently, estimating $1 million due to the flood. FEMA will cover seventy-five percent of the cost of authorized recovery plans. Cole will have a more accurate financial picture after all figures have been reported. Additional loss of revenue is expected from COVID-19 shutdowns, but unclear what the full impact will be at this point. Cole stated that tax revenue is down roughly about $210,000.

The city is functioning within the reserve fund of the current expense fund. These are the funds that are the result of the tax income for the city. Use of utilities are up but this doesn’t impact the general use fund. The city will be able to maintain a reserve. The finance committee will decide on a recommendation on how to move forward to the city council. Ashley Strickland of Emergency Management reported the emergency declaration of the flood is prioritized behind COVID.

Resolution 1415 was passed allowing for the funding for the completion of the Sidewalk Replacement Project for the portion of South Third Street beginning at the alley directly north of the Dayton Memorial Library and extending to School Bus Lane. The money comes from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) fund in the amount of $211,000, in addition to city funds, and the passing of the resolution allows Mayor Zac Weatherford to proceed and execute the plan for the project which is expected to commence mid-summer. The resolution stated, “The expenditure of the TAP funds requires that the project be designed and administered in accordance with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Local Agency Guidelines, including certification by a certified acceptance agency…the accomplishment of the project will benefit the regional transportation system…The City Council hereby authorizes the inter-local agreement for Certified Acceptance Services between the City and Columbia County.”

According to City Public Works Director, Jim Costello, over the previous month city employees have graded all of the alleys citywide and have done some roadway repair around the fishpond, park and in the cemetery. Plans are in place for additional road repairs and painting citywide. Mayor Weatherford commended the city workers for their work in the cemetery.

Cole also provided an update on the wastewater treatment plant. Each month a meeting is held between the City of Dayton, Washington Water Trust, Confederate Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, Anderson Perry and the Department of Ecology. According to Cole, after the last meeting a memorandum went to the Department of Ecology “to see if constructed wetlands for the discharge of our wastewater would be an acceptable process for wastewater treatment. We received positive feedback...that constructed wetlands would be an option for the City of Dayton. The next step is it would go to Water Resources at the Department of Ecology.” This is the department who would provide the permit.

Dain Nysoe of the Affordable Housing Commission had a meeting with the state Department of Commerce. They are considering the use of publicly owned land for the housing. The Commission is seeking someone to fill the fifth position. More information can be given by contacting Trina Cole at 509-382-2361 or [email protected]. Individuals may submit a letter of interest to Mayor Zac Weatherford, by email at [email protected], or by mail or to the drop box at 111 S. First Street, Dayton, WA 99328.