Tag: bridge-jumping

City workshop looks at 2027 budget projections and STRs

by Richard Uhlhorn

Finance budget projections:
Heidi Evans, City Finance Director, held an introduction to this budget season with a report of what’s happening nationally to locally. “There are a lot of mysteries and unknowns, of course we hope we can take out some of the guesswork.

Heidi Evans

She went over 2027 predictions from the White House, Congressional Budget Office, Federal Reserve and the Washington State Finance Management Office who has predicted that the State will continue to have a shortfall, the reasons being a rise in Medicare patients, subsidized child care, Inflation, lower housing construction which reduces the state’s property tax revenue. “All of this contributes to downstream effect to the city,” said Evans.

She presented a chart listing the top 10 sales tax companies in Chelan County which included Trout-Blue Chelan at $73.5 million, Campbell’s Resort at $23,482,266, Walmart at $18,905,112, Seven Acres Foundation at $13,155,296, Whisky Ranch Estates at $10,193,099 and Chelan Lookout at $9,034,591.

Evans also reported that the Lake Chelan School District is not laying off personnel but relying on attrition (retirements) to reduce expenditures. “Overall expenditures are up for everyone.”

“Municipalities are requesting more State shared tax revenues and a tax reform of the1% tax cap on property taxes,” she said.

Evans reported that August, September and October are Chelan’s biggest state revenue generating months, but that she sees a tourism hesitation in 2027. “Looking at next year I do think we are starting to see that hesitation coming from the tourism. It’s a scary situation.”

She told the staff and council that she is looking for 2027 budget recommendations. “The staff is proposing a 6.75% increase over our 2026 budget,” said Evans. She added that staff is seeking an increase in the lodging tax from $925,000 to $1.3 million for tourism.

The Parks Department has projected an increase of 13% over the 2026 budget. This includes the RV Park, Golf Course, Marina and Putt Putt course. Most of that increase would be an 11% increase at the golf course.

The Finance Office is recommending a 6.75% increase into the City’s General Fund. “We are budgeting for no growth in 2027,” said Evans.

City Administrator Laura McAloon state that over the last five years the city expects to see a modest growth in sales tax for 2027.

Affordable Housing Policy-STRs:
Affordable housing and STRs are two issues that have been on the minds of local residents. Community Development Director has recommended that the STR numbers be extended from the 28 current STRs to 50. “A moratorium wouldn’t be the right mechanism to stop a license,” said Ajax.

John Ajax

Over the past five years the Planning Department has issued 350 permits in the neighborhood Ajax said.

Councilman Brad Chitty remarked that the hotels are not single family types. “That’s a good clarifying question,” stated Ajax. “Those are commercial.” Ajax also stated that residential homes used as a Short Term Rental can always revert back to residential use.

McAloon said the STR question is a good one because in her mind it brings up the broader economic impact. “We are talking about one specific element of the economy and housing.” She added that the city is applying for a federal grant and have been awarded an interview with the grant board. “We are looking at diversification of our economy.”

McAloon also stated that the workforce is highly dependent on the tourism industry. “I would be concerned about taking a hammer to a problem that has only been identified in a specific area as we are looking at long term diversification strategies.”

Ajax pointed out that China has a significant number of second homes in Chelan. He added that most of the STRS are actively managed resorts and that site management has a substantial number of people to provide hospitality services.

Councilman Terry Sanders stated that he sees and economic benefit in STRs but said that the council needs to also be thinking about the pretty extensive public sentiment . He also is concerned about capping the STR limit at 50 in the residential area is a bit much. “I think there is probably a middle ground. There’s quite a bit of margin between 28 and 50.”

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said, “I’m sympathetic for the public support for trying to bring some order the chaos that we see every summer. I’ve said before my concern is the unintended consequences where we simply drive that development that will never be single family residences as John has pointed out.”

Bridge jumping may be coming to an end with more pressure from law enforcement.

Bridge jumping:
McAloon stated that she has had conversations with the Sheriff’s department about law enforcement helping with the bridge jumping issue. “Sheriff Morrison has put out a call to his staff to work some overtime to actually patrol the bridge and address the community concerns and our concerns about illegal behavior.” She added that last weekend law enforcement began issuing citations to the jumpers.

Laura McAloon

She finished her comments by asking the council for their direction because ultimately the city needs to approve the 2027 budget. Reducing expenditures is a big issue.

Bridge jumping concerns an added topic at Chelan workshop

Need a physical therapist… call Lauri

by Richard Uhlhorn

Bridge Jumping:
Bridge jumping wasn’t on Tuesday’s workshop agenda but was brought up during the final comment period at the City of Chelan Workshop.

Bridge jumping has been a right of passage for many local kids, and now it has become a major concern as bridge jumpers include tourists and parents taking photos of their youngsters jumping. The City is looking for a way to shut it down before someone is seriously injured or even killed.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth who walks across the bridge frequently brought the topic up. “It’s becoming a free for all on the old bridge,” said Hollingsworth. “Somehow we need to come down hard on it.”

Jumping from the Woodin Avenue Bridge has become a ‘Right of Passage’ for many of the kids who defy the law. Signage clearly states that no bridge jumping is allowed, but even parents are encouraging the children to jump while taking photos. There is a $500.00 fine if an individual is ticketed, but the Sheriff’s deputies don’t have the time to monitor this activity.

What began as six to eight local kids jumping has morphed into a dangerous situation where people are spread almost halfway across the bridge.

A j;umper does a flip off the west side of the Woodin Avenue Bridge.

The concern, of course, is that someone is going to jump and land on a boat or other watercraft passing under the structure, seriously injuring or killing someone.

Mayor McCardle asked the Council for some helpful ideas on how to address the issue.

Parking enforcement:
Another issue facing Chelan and in particular, Lakeside Park is the lack of any parking enforcement. The city has had no luck in attracting an individual to fill that summertime position since the last parking enforcement officer left early in the year.

People are taking up parking spaces for well over the three hour limit in downtown and all day at Lakeside Park.

Recycle Center:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren reported that a lot of discussion has ensued since the Recycle Center burned down. “I don’t have much to report on what is happening,” said Youngren. He added that the department is looking to select a consulting team to help explore options to continue to recycle.

The City is looking into a variety of alternatives for the fire destroyed recycling center, but will continue to pick up recyclable materials.

The recycle truck will continue to pick up recycling material while the city looks for an alternative. Also, the 911 Glass Recycling unit was severely damaged in the fire and the Rotary is looking into that issue.

City Clerk Peri Galluccci stated that an insurance adjuster and an investigator are working with the department.

Water and Sewer Rate Fee Study:
Youngren said that the latest rate study for water and sewer has an infinite number of scenarios. He said that Waterville went from a $50 per month charge to $250 per month in one fell swoop. “We are trying to avoid that.”

Public Works Director Jake Youngren

Currently, residents (a family of four) are allowed 7,000 gallons per month which, according to Youngren is pretty generous.

Mark Ericks asked about residents who are just on Social Security. Bob Goedde replied that there is a senior level bracket.

Water and Sewer Rate Study project manager Brooke Tacia of FCS Group updated the Council on the study.

The study, conducted by Project Manager Brooke Tacia of FCS Group, centered around significant changes since the last study in 2018. These changes included increased inflation and delay of large capital projects for both water and sewer treatment plants.

Upcoming revenue requirements include operations and maintenance, debt service and capital costs.

The study is developing a rate plan to balance the city’s financial needs and to minimize customer impacts. The study period covers 2025 to 2029 using the 2024 budget as a baseline.

From 2024 to 2037 the city has $57.4 million in capital projects.

Lakeside Trail update:
City engineer Travis Denham updated the council on the Lakeside Trail between downtown and Lakeside Park. “We are in the permitting process with WSDOT right now,” explained Denham.  

City engineer Travis Denham

The planning phase will be 60 percent complete by the end of August, and the biggest development on the corridor is a proposed speed limit change from 30 mph to 25 mph from the Boat Company to the high school. The planners need to get approval from the State Traffic Engineer. “We understand that people will drive at what they feel comfortable with,” said DOT’s David Kieninger

Two proposed inline bus stops just south of the Boat Company raised some concerns about blocking traffic and the potential for rear end accidents. “It could cause additional congestion. There is a lot going on there,” said Kieninger.

The third issue discussed was the buffer zone landscaping alternatives. Denham stated that the vertical element was being discussed to give a sense of safety to trail users. Hollingsworth thought that the low density alternative was the best. Similar to what’s in place on the trail down to town from the roundabout.

Bob Goedde said, “Let’s not get to crazy building guard rails.” McCardle felt there should be a little more than the low density plantings.

The Lakeside trail project will hopefully begin construction next spring.

Clear Gov:
Finance Director Jackie Tuppling gave an overview of the city’s new website section that is being built with Artificial Intelligence. “This is user friendly way to see the city’s budget expenditures,” she said. “It shows everything and how it is spent.” The system will be available to the public.