Members of the Regional Facilities Oversight Committee received confirmation at their Wednesday meeting that Kennewick will continue to participate in discussions with Pasco and Richland on forming a regional public facilities district.
Councilmen Don Britain and John Hubbard from Kennewick told the committee last month that they would need direction from the council before deciding to continue.
By agreeing to stay on the committee, Kennewick is agreeing to use a sales tax method to pay for a regional public facilities district to build regional facilities such as an aquatic center or performing arts center.
Kennewick's representatives previously had been interested in pursuing the formation of a metropolitan parks district, which would use property taxes instead of sales taxes as a financing method.
No further agreements were reached as to what kind of facility would be built.
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Wenatchee arena default could create hurdle for regional facilities in Tri-Cities
Wenatchee arena default could create hurdle for regional facilities in Tri-Cities
The recent default on Wenatchee's $42 million Town Toyota Center could pose a new hurdle for building any multimillion-dollar regional public facilities in the Tri-Cities.
The Wenatchee implosion of its financing for the 3-year-old, 4,300-seat center has some state officials thinking all future municipal projects requiring bonds for financing should go through an independent review coordinated by the state Department of Commerce.
Marie Mosley, Kennewick city manager, said the purpose is to ensure a municipal project is viable and has sufficient financial backing to avoid a repeat of the Wenatchee scenario.
Performing arts center considered by Tri-Cities board
Performing arts center considered by Tri-Cities board
A 2,500-seat, $35 million performing arts center in the Tri-Cities would attract nearly 120,000 people to nearly 200 performances every year, according to a study made public Wednesday.
The Tri-Cities Regional Public Facilities District board accepted the pro forma proposal without comment at its monthly meeting, noting that it was the last of four projects being considered.
The board hopes to complete reviews of all proposals by the end of the year, and select one or a combination of several to present to voters in 2012 for tax-based financing.
Consultant to help decide which project facilities district should pursue
Consultant to help decide which project facilities district should pursue
Unwilling to make a quick decision about what regional project to put before voters next year, members of the Tri-Cities Regional Public Facilities District decided to hire a consultant to help them pick one.
The board voted Wednesday to have E.D. Hovee of Vancouver present a proposal within 20 days on how quickly it can vet the plans for a convention center expansion, a $14 million investment ti develop the Hanford Reach Interpretative Center, a $35 million performing arts center and a $37.5 million aquatic center.
Having an outside review of the proposals could delay for months a final decision and make it all but impossible for the facilities district to get a sales tax measure on the November 2012 ballot, said board member Don Britain, a Kennewick city councilman.
Sales tax increase for facility proposals won't be on November ballot
Sales tax increase for facility proposals won't be on November ballot
Tri-Citians won't be asked this year to approve a sales tax increase to pay for a regional aquatic center, performing arts center, new exhibit hall or interpretative center.
The Tri-Cities Regional Public Facilities District board has decided not to rush the issue to the November ballot but instead hire a consultant to first evaluate the four proposals.
That means there will be at least a one-year delay before the board pops the tax question to voters.
Franklin County likely to feel hit from Wenatchee arena default
Franklin County likely to feel hit from Wenatchee arena default
Default on $42 million in debt for the Greater Wenatchee Regional Town Toyota Arena likely will cost Franklin County its $300,000 investment.
The county put up the money in 2009 as a short-term investment on bond anticipation notes that were scheduled to be paid Thursday.
The Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center Public Facilities District was unable to meet the deadline. It defaulted, leaving Franklin County and about 400 other investors, including Central Washington University, with no return on their money.
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