Officials with the U.S. Postal Service want to hear from Tri-City residents about the proposal to start sorting Pasco's mail in Spokane.

Last week, the postal service announced Yakima's mail facility was moving to Pasco -- a move expected to save $1.2 million -- but officials still are considering moving Pasco's facility to Spokane.

Officials began a study Sept. 15 at the Pasco Mail Processing Facility to determine whether consolidating redundant operations would result in any efficiencies and cost savings, said Ernie Swanson, a postal service spokesman in Seattle.

Initial study results support consolidating the mail processing operations at Pasco by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Spokane Processing and Distribution Center, he said.

No final decision has been made, but information about the possible move will be discussed at the public meeting in Pasco.

Managers from the postal service will give an overview of why they are considering the move and what could happen if the decision is made to close Pasco's facility.

They also will listen to input and concerns from community members, Swanson said.

A decision about Pasco's facility is not expected until after the new year.

It took about six months to get a decision about moving Yakima's mail processing center.

Yakima's facility is expected to close and have its mail operations moved to Pasco by July.

If it is decided Pasco's center will move to Spokane, then Yakima's mail also will be sorted in Spokane.

If you go

A public meeting is at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., in Pasco.

More information

-- A summary of the proposal and presentation materials will be available online one week before the meeting. Go to http://about.usps.com/streamlining-operations/area-mail-processing.htm

-- Written comments also can be sent to Consumer and Industry Contact, Seattle District, P.O. Box 90306, Seattle, WA 98109-9631.

-- Public comments will be accepted through Dec. 14.

-- Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com