Warden raises levy collection by 1%
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
Warden City Administrator Kriss Schuler explained that although the city will have a 1% increase on its levy collection, that does not mean that residents’ property taxes will increase by 1%.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
WARDEN — The Warden City Council unanimously approved an increase in the City of Warden’s property tax levy at the Oct. 14 regular council meeting. This will bring around $6,860 to the city.
“All property owners, not just residents within the City of Warden, will contribute to this,” Warden City Administrator Kriss Schuler said.
The city held a public hearing on the increase at the council meeting, with no residents commenting on the matter. The increase is 1% of the highest actual levy amount since 1985, which happened in 2025 at nearly $686,000. The increase will go into effect for the 2026 budget, and the ordinance is in effect five days after its passage.
“This does not mean that people's taxes are being increased by 1%; the total tax collections will be increased by 1%,” Schuler said.
According to the Washington Department of Revenue, the state limits individual taxing districts to an increase of 1% annually. The district must hold a vote and public meeting to pass an increase. The increased rate restriction does not include new construction, improvements to property, state-assessed utility value increase, wind turbines, solar, biomass or geothermal facilities that may be added to a district.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.
Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”
Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.