Mattawa to work on sewer, water projects in 2026
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 1 week AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 22, 2025 3:00 AM
MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa has budgeted to spend about $200,000 more in its current expense (general) fund in 2026 than it is projected to receive in revenue. Expenses for all departments are projected to be slightly higher than revenues, and as a result, Mattawa is projected to have slightly less money at the end of 2026 than it does at the beginning of the year.
Mattawa also faced higher expenses than revenue in 2025. Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya said city officials are aware of that trend and are working to alleviate it.
“City council, staff and I work diligently to ensure responsible and transparent use of public funds,” Celaya wrote in response to a question from the Columbia Basin Herald. “At the end of the 2025 budget year, the general fund is expected to show positive growth in reserves. While the 2026 general fund budget presents revenue challenges, projected reserves for 2026 show a significant increase in the ending balance — and outcome not seen in prior budget years.”
The general fund pays for most city operations, including the Mattawa Police Department, and at least part of the wages and benefits for most city workers. Other city services, such as water and sewer, have designated funds and their own revenues.
The continuing expense fund is budgeted to spend about $1.9 million, with revenues of about $1.7 million. Water operations are projected to bring in about $990,865 in revenue and cost about $990,669 in expenses. Sewer operation revenues are also projected to be slightly ahead of expenses, with $997,865 in revenue and $997,669 in expenses.
Mattawa is also continuing work on four capital projects. Improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility have been underway for a couple of years; it should be completed in 2026. A separate project will upgrade some wastewater facility operations. Another separate sewer project will upgrade a section of the system on Portage Avenue on the southeast corner of town. The fourth project will expand and upgrade the city’s water system, including the installation of a new well and enhancements to the monitoring system.
Figures in the chart above are rounded as appropriate.ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.