Capital projects beef up city’s budget

By on Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council has approved a budget that sees the all-funds section of the plan showing a 19.5 percent increase over last year. Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said that’s due to a number of capital projects, like replacing the fire-damaged city hall.

“We are constructing almost $9 million worth of improvements associated with city hall, downtown parking lots, and utility upgrades,” he said.

Other capital projects include the infrastructure work for the South Hermiston Industrial Park and the reconstruction of the apron at the airport.

“All of those projects together total about $14 million,” Morgan said. “Most of them come with funding.”

Also, the budget provides a 2.5 percent raise for all city employees. Non-union members will receive one percent of that raise next month, with 1.5 percent due in January.