United States: Medical Lake council approves first reading of EMS, property tax hikes.

Byline: prashant03

Two state mandated public hearings were held during Tuesday s Medical Lake City Council meeting, one concerning a tax increase and the other to set water conservation and efficiency goals.

Barring a dissenting vote from Councilman John Paikuli, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance to increase both the EMS tax rate and property tax rate by 1 percent, the highest increases allowed without a public vote. The additional EMS tax would bring an estimated $1,023 to the city whereas the property tax increase would net an additional $4,690.

Medical Lake s finance director, Pam McBroom, encouraged the increase, saying that the overall value of the city went down this last year and therefore, even with the increase we re asking for, property taxes I believe will be less than they were last year.

As part of a requirement under the 2003 Municipal Water Law, the council asked for public input on water conservation goals the city should set in order to comply with state regulations and to use potable water more efficiently over the next six years. City maintenance supervisor Dan Dorshorst said actions the city has already taken to conserve water, such as passing an ordinance limiting water usage during peak daylight hours, won t count toward the amount of required goals the city must adopt, which is based on the number of water hookups in the city.

The main push for all of these rules and regulations is to ensure a safe and adequate water supply now and for the future, Dorshorst said. Both he and City Administrator Doug Ross outlined a few tentative goals, such as instigating a rebate program for more efficient appliances, better utilizing reclaimed water and reconfiguring how water rates are charged.

Other council business included the acceptance of a consultant agreement with E&H Engineering to provide design and construction oversight on the Prentis Street Project. The project would use a $48,000 grant from the Washington Transportation Improvement Board to improve the street in front of Medical Lake Elementary School.

Councilman Howard Jorgenson raised the issue of whether or not the project would make sense if the school board opts to raise a bond that could possibly lead to a new elementary school being built somewhere else. Ross assured the council that work would not actually proceed until answers could be had and said a contract amendment could take place if the project becomes impractical.

The council also approved severance agreements for those former Medical Lake police officers not drafted by the Spokane County Sheriff s Office. Jacob Keith will collect $20,000 and Abram Bingham will receive $15,000 in exchange for releasing the City from any further obligations related to their employment.

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