Crowded Pasco schools and new fees for developers dominated Monday's candidate debate in Pasco.

Candidates for the contested city council, school board and port races in Pasco spoke to about 70 people at the Pasco Chamber of Commerce and Mid-Columbia Libraries forum at the Pasco Red Lion.

Ryan Brault, who is running for Pasco School Board, said he wants to ensure that every student in Pasco receives a relevant education that builds on their strengths.

Impact fees on new homes are one way to help the district provide classroom space for the burgeoning enrollment, said Brault, an Edward Jones financial adviser.

But he said the district needs to engage the community and consider innovative solutions to increase classroom capacity. For example, the district has considered moving sixth grade back to elementary schools and starting multi-track, year-round elementary schools, which Brault said he thinks is one of the best solutions.

But only the city council can pass an impact fee ordinance for developers of new subdivisions.

Incumbent Rebecca Francik, who is running for Pasco City Council District 5, said it would be better to have a set impact fee that developers would know rather than a mitigation fee negotiated by the school district and the developer. The council approved a mitigation agreement last week for the Columbia Villas, a 50-duplex subdivision.

But Al Yenney, incumbent for city council District 1, his opponent Andrew Johnson and John Talbott, who is running against Francik, said they oppose impact fees.

"I think it is ill-advised and a quick fix," Johnson said.

Talbott said the city was remiss in its responsibility for addressing the affect of previous developments on schools.

With annexation, Talbott said he could mediate issues, which he believes should be discussed.

The city, Franklin County and Franklin Fire District 3 are entering talks to decide if they can come to an agreement on a planned annexation of some county land surrounded by city boundaries.

About 4,000 people live in the area, most of them between Sylvester and Argent roads and roads 52 and 100.

Francik, a Pasco school librarian, said she expects the people who signed agreements to not oppose annexation when they signed up for city water to honor their agreements.

Bringing the doughnut hole area into the city is a way to make government more efficient for the city, Franklin County and Franklin Fire District 3, she said.

Yenney said he has a problem with 40 percent of those who didn't sign agreements being pulled in with the 60 percent who did.

Johnson said while he is reluctant to force annexation, he thinks that for the sake of the community, continuity and stable growth, the doughnut hole should become part of the city.

Johnson said as a retired real estate broker, he has time and energy to devote to the city. He is concerned about safety and livability in Pasco.

"I am hoping to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the council," he said.

His opponent, Yenney, owner of Al's Repair in Pasco, said he has made decisions based on what he feels is best for citizens, not necessarily his own preference. And to do that, he has pursued training and researched issues.

Francik's opponent, Talbott, a retired Air Force colonel, said the city needs a vision for Pasco that has room for all citizens in the community to participate.

In the Port of Pasco commissioner District 1 race, Greg Crook, who started Tri-Cities Aviation, said he would bring a younger perspective to the commissioners and focus on developing the port's waterfront property.

The Tri-Cities Airport has more flying days than most airports in the state, Crook said. He said he would focuse on bringing more business to the airport.

Ron Reimann, who was absent because of a previous family commitment, said in a statement that he would help improve food processing in the area and suggest pursuing a corn receiving and drying facility at the port terminals.

Reimann, a farmer, has served on school boards, community and agricultural commodity committees and advisory boards and is the current president of the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association.

Patrick McBurney Sr., a retired field engineer and planner for Energy Northwest who is running for the school board, also was not present at the forum. He sent a statement that said he would encourage more volunteers and consider adapting good practices from other high performing schools.

Ballots are scheduled to be sent Oct. 21 and the general election is Nov. 8.

-- Kristi Pihl: 582-1512; kpihl@tricityherald.com