Council to adjust budget
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla City Council will meet today (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. for its regular meeting to amend the 2021-2022 biennium maintenance and operations budget, plus the capital improvement project budget. This is the fifth budget amendment for the first year of the biennium and includes numerous modifications to capital projects due to the American Rescue Plan Act funding awarded to the city.
If amended, the total unassigned general fund balance is projected to be $6,327,852 as of Dec. 31, 2021, and $6,806,462 as of Dec. 31, 2022.
The council is also expected to authorize a contract amendment with the Walla Walla Alliance for the Homeless for services and Pacific Security for security services at the Sleep Center through Dec. 31, 2022.
The 2022 operations at the Sleep Center are estimated to be $163,500 for the alliance and Pacific Security contracts as well as electric, phone, and port-a-potty monthly expenses. Deputy City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain says the 24/7 operation has seen results in moving guests from the Sleep Center into better housing situations. It is recommended those operations continue in 2022. The alliance receives grant funding through the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health which is likely to continue through Sept. 30, 2022. The city has identified a portion of its ARPA funds to support 24/7 operations of the Sleep Center from Oct. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022.
Also on the agenda, the council will consider accepting the First Avenue Plaza conceptual design. In September, council awarded the design contract to PBS Engineering and Environmental.
Created in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city closed South First Avenue between East Main Street and East Alder Street and created a temporary public plaza. Throughout the changing restrictions to combat the pandemic, First Avenue Plaza became a location where the community could gather safely outside. The overwhelming support of making the plaza permanent led the city to move forward with this project. Construction is anticipated to begin spring 2022 with the project being completed mid-summer 2022.
The council meeting is open to the public. Attendees must wear face masks or face shields. The meeting will be streamed on the city’s website and via Zoom. The meeting ID number is 813 0562 7498.
