College Place City Council to consider dissolving utility and parks advisory boards
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE – The College Place City Council is expected to dissolve two long-standing advisory bodies during its regular meeting Tuesday night (tonight), signaling a shift in how the city manages its infrastructure and leisure services.
City officials have proposed ordinances to repeal the Utilities Transportation Advisory Commission (UTAC) and the Parks, Arbor and Recreation Board (PAR). According to the meeting agenda, the city determined that both groups have fulfilled their original objectives and that their continued operation is no longer in the best interest of the municipal organization.
The UTAC was initially established to provide specialized recommendations on water, wastewater, and stormwater policies, as well as short-range transportation planning. It was designed to bolster citizen participation by dedicating resources to complex utility issues that required “careful consideration.”
Similarly, the PAR board was tasked with advising the city on the acquisition, improvement, and planning of public parks and recreation facilities.
While the boards were created to ensure expert and community-driven oversight, city leadership now indicates that the mechanisms provided by these groups are no longer necessary for local governance. The move suggests a streamlining of administrative processes, though the city has not yet specified if new committees will replace them.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at College Place City Hall. Residents can also attend remotely via Zoom or watch a livestream on the city’s YouTube channel.
