Council to consider tax credit incentive program
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla City Council meets tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. and will consider approving the participation in the Main Street tax credit incentive program. The program allows participating organizations to provide grants to Main Street nonprofits and then take state business and occupation tax credits at 75 percent of the grant in the next fiscal year.
This year, the city would like to apply to participate by issuing a grant to the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation in the amount of $102,833.33. As a result of the grant, the city would be able to reduce its tax payments to the state in 2023 by 75 percent of that amount or $77,125.00. Because the grant to the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation is greater than $50,000, it requires council approval.
Also on the agenda, a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance granting Ziply Fiber Pacific LLC, to install fiber in the city’s right-of-way. Ziply Fiber has been in negotiations with the city attorney’s office and staff since the company applied this past March. The company wants to offer fiber optic broadband services to residential, commercial, and wholesale customers within the city
Council members will also consider a resolution which authorizes hiring a search firm to recruit for the city manager position. Current city manager Nabiel Shawa is retiring the end of March 2023. A rough estimate on hiring a search firm ranges from $20,000 to $40,000, according to city staff. The meeting will be in the council chambers of Walla Walla City Hall. It is also accessible via Zoom. The meeting ID number is 874 7446 9035.
