Walla Walla City Council to consider updated asset policy, federal land protection
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla City Council will consider updating its capital asset policy and submitting a formal comment letter opposing a federal land management change during its meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m.
Council members will consider Resolution 2026-078, which would adopt an updated city capital asset policy. The policy establishes guidelines for financial reporting, capitalizable thresholds, useful life estimates, and depreciation methods to maintain stewardship over public property. Under the proposal, major assets such as buildings and infrastructure carry a $30,000 to $50,000 capitalization threshold. The updated measure supersedes a policy adopted in December 2025 and authorizes the city manager to issue administrative procedures for asset management.
The council will also review and act on submitting a comment letter regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
In the draft letter addressed to the USDA, Mayor Gustavo Reyna and council members state that the city opposes any rescission or change to the rule. The letter highlights concern over protecting the 36-square-mile Mill Creek Watershed in the Umatilla National Forest, which serves as the primary drinking water source for more than 35,000 residents.
City officials warn that rolling back roadless protections could lead to timber harvesting, road building, increased erosion, and higher water treatment costs. The letter asserts that the federal environmental review fails to adequately evaluate the social and economic impacts on downstream municipal watersheds.
File photo of the Walla Walla City Council
