Lydia Caudill

This document outlines Water Use Efficiency Goals for 2022-2027, focusing on strategic improvements for water supply and demand management. Key supply-side initiatives include a meter testing program, capital improvements for mainline replacement, and comprehensive leak detection and repair to reduce water loss. Demand-side goals concentrate on enhancing customer engagement through timely leak notifications and exploring a customer portal for consumption tracking.

This Climate Vulnerability Assessment for the City of Walla Walla's 2026 Comprehensive Plan update aims to identify current and projected climate risks and guide adaptation planning. It focuses on three key sectors: Community Health and Well-Being, Natural Environment and Water Resources, and Built Infrastructure. The assessment details vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities within these sectors to inform policy development and integrate climate considerations into future planning, thereby enhancing climate resilience across the city.

The meeting included a review of the Dispatch Financial Report regarding overtime budget considerations and an analysis of the 2023 Statistics Report highlighting discrepancies in service call reporting. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a proposal for a 2/10th of 1% sales and use tax, which would provide funding for infrastructure and staffing needs to avoid exponential increases in user agency fees. The committee approved a motion for the WESCOM Manager to present this sales tax proposal to the County Commissioners. Additionally, an update was provided regarding upcoming meetings with TCA IXP concerning the process for a new building.

The committee reviewed the current dispatch budget, the status of radio site upgrades, and the need for a system analysis to incorporate encryption for law enforcement communications. Discussions also covered planning for the new sales and use tax revenue, the migration of Tyler software to the cloud, proposed updates to the interlocal agreement between the city and county, and potential new facility locations for WESCOM and the Emergency Management Department in relation to FEMA grant requirements.

The committee reviewed the current budget status, noting expenses related to ballot measures and future planning for employee benefits. A priority list for sales and use tax funds was discussed, which includes radio console upgrades, staff expansion, and potential facility relocation. There was extensive discussion regarding the potential elimination of user fees through the application of sales and use tax funds. Additional topics included the status of the radio system encryption project, potential year-end transfers to the equipment reserve, updates on bargaining, and proposed changes to the Interlocal Agreement. Finally, the committee reviewed the feasibility study for the potential relocation of the WESCOM/EM facility.