Council begins work to establish revolving fund

By Terry Murry on Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Umatilla County has approved $2 million to help fund infrastructure work on undeveloped land in Pendleton’s urban growth boundary. The city is excited, but Public Works Director Bob Patterson said it’s not a case of just taking the money and getting to work.

“We actually have to create an ordinance,” he said. “We have to go through the process of a supplemental budget. This is not in our current budget so we have to amend it.”

Patterson said there is a plethora of projects waiting as soon as the funds are available.

“We’re very thankful for the partnership for the county on this piece and being able to move forward,” City Council President McKennon McDonald said.

Patterson said that talk of the infrastructure funding is piquing the interest of developers.

“We now have developers who are interested, hearing that this is moving forward,” he said. “Those requests are coming into the city manager’s office.”