OTHELLO — Incumbent Genna Dorow is being challenged by Kelli Camp for Position 1 on the Othello City Council. The Columbia Basin Herald provided identical questions to each candidate that included a word limit.  

Q: The city has received multiple requests for annexation in the last few years. Without getting specifics of any individual request, what are some of the things city council members should be considering when they review and decide on annexation requests? 

Dorow: When reviewing annexation requests, it is essential for city council members to approach the process with both legal caution and strategic foresight. In Washington State, annexations must follow a formal, state-mandated process — particularly for areas under the Growth Management Act. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval; several requirements must be met before it reaches council consideration. 

Once it does, the proposal should be evaluated as a cost-benefit analysis: does annexation ultimately add value to the city? Key considerations include legal compliance to avoid liability, zoning and land use compatibility, infrastructure capacity and potential impacts on surrounding areas. Council should also assess whether the request aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan and long-term goals. 

Annexation decisions must be made through a transparent, well-documented process that weighs both the immediate and long-term impacts, while ensuring the city grows in a way that is legally sound, sustainable and the public’s best interest. 

Camp: When the city gets an annexation request, it’s really about more than just adding land to city limits. The biggest question: Can our current services (police, fire, water, sewer and roads/traffic) handle the growth that would come with it? And just as important: How will it affect the people who already live here? Does the proposed annexation fit with the organic growth of our community? I believe annexation should only move forward if it truly benefits the whole community. That means being upfront with residents, listening to their concerns and making sure we don’t take on more than we can responsibly manage. Growth can be a good thing, but it needs to happen in a way that keeps Othello strong and makes sense for sustainable expansion. 

Q: The proposal to restart a separate city fire department has been a subject of discussion. What are your opinions on the proposal? 

Camp: For many years, Othello has relied on county fire services, which has worked well. Continuing that partnership would require financial investment, but it would still be far less than the cost of creating an entirely new city fire department from scratch. When the city explored renewing the agreement, the county was interested in discussing annexation than simply extending another contract. The council did not seem to want to consider this for Othello. In other Washington communities (Arlington, Kittitas and Enumclaw), annexation has delivered stable fire protection, unlocked additional funding opportunities and ensured stable fire services. 

Pouring money into a new fire department means less money available for things we desperately need (like fixing roads, upgrading water and sewer systems and other emergency services). I believe the fiscally responsible path is to keep our partnership with the county strong and put our tax dollars where they make the biggest impact. 

Dorow: The proposal to re-establish a separate city fire department is both fiscally responsible and in the best interest of Othello’s citizens. Since 2022, the city’s contract with Adams County Fire District 5 has sharply increased — from $433,717 to $793,215 in 2025 — without any improvement in service levels. The city attempted to renegotiate the contract, but the county refused. Mediation also failed, prompting the city to issue the required two-year termination notice and begin working with a specialized consultant to develop a sustainable, locally controlled fire department. The county then withdrew its contract offer and proposed annexation, demanding we surrender $2-5 million in assets — including all fire trucks, equipment, buildings/properties — and accept a property tax of $0.636 per $1,000 assessed value, potentially increasing to $0.90 in November. Annexation would be a fiscally irresponsible choice for our citizens, making a city-run department the most prudent and protective path forward for Othello. 

Q: Growth will place demands on Othello's infrastructure. What are your proposals for addressing those demands? 

Dorow: Growth will place increasing demands on Othello’s infrastructure, and we are preparing to meet those challenges. Since 2012, the city has been pursuing an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) water project, primarily funded through state grants and legislative allocations. The project result will be a water treatment facility that treats irrigation canal water to drinking standards. Treated water will be added directly to the city’s system, with excess stored in the aquifer — securing Othello’s water supply for the future. 

We’ve completed major sewer relining to reduce inflow and infiltration, improving lagoon efficiency. An engineering firm is updating our sewer comprehensive plan, and we are building reserves for a wastewater treatment facility. 

Unlike many communities that are nearing capacity, Othello has room to grow within its electrical infrastructure. With water, sewer and energy systems aligned for expansion, Othello is well-positioned for sustainable residential, commercial and industrial growth in the years ahead. 

Camp: Growth is exciting, but it also puts pressure on our roads, water and sewer systems, and public safety/emergency services. As Othello grows, our infrastructure must keep pace. If we don’t plan ahead, we’ll always be playing catch-up. I think the city needs to take a proactive approach, using solid planning and partnerships to get out in front of these challenges. In the past, the city was fortunate to access some grant funding to help with these projects. But with Washington State facing a budget crisis, many of those opportunities have dried up. That means we must think creatively about where else funding can come from. 

Public-private partnerships, regional collaborations and federal opportunities should all be on the table. That also means making sure new developments help pay for the infrastructure they rely on. We also need to make sure we’re maintaining what we already have instead of stretching ourselves too thin. Growth is coming whether we’re ready or not, and the key is to plan responsibly so our residents aren’t left holding the bag for costly mistakes. 

Q: How does Othello pay for the upgrades it needs and the projects it's working on, and how would you prioritize the different projects? 

Camp: The big question for any project is always: How do we pay for it? Othello has options through pursuing federal or state grants (although these are becoming very limited), partnering with state and federal programs, and considering bonds for the biggest needs. But we also need to prioritize and ensure we are being fiscally responsible with the dollars we already have to use. For priorities, public safety, infrastructure and economic development come first. Other projects can follow once the essentials are in place. My goal is to be transparent with the community, so people know exactly where their tax dollars are going and why. We should also be creative and look for outside funding whenever possible. At the end of the day, every dollar should strengthen Othello, be spent responsibly and make life better for the people who live here. 

Dorow: Othello funds infrastructure improvements through a combination of city budget allocations, enterprise funds (such as water, wastewater and garbage), state and federal grants, direct state budget appropriations and voter-approved taxes like the sales tax dedicated to street projects. We also invest in long-term planning and engineering studies, often supported by outside funding. 

To expand our capacity to secure external resources, I led efforts to add a full-time grant writer and hire a professional lobbyist. These strategic moves have returned millions in taxpayer dollars to Othello through successful state and federal funding awards. 

Our top priority is completing the ASR water project, now nearing its final phase, which will secure Othello’s water supply for the foreseeable future. We are also advancing plans for a new wastewater treatment system, essential for supporting future residential, commercial and industrial growth. By combining strong planning with proactive advocacy, we’re building Othello’s future responsibly. 

Q: How can people find out more about your campaign? 

Camp: The best way to learn about my campaign is to visit kelliforcouncil.com. You can also find me on Facebook at Kelli Camp for Othello City Council. There, I share my priorities for Othello: Bringing fresh ideas to the table, reducing unnecessary red tape for local businesses, and ensuring transparency in how our city operates. My lifelong love of learning and years of experience in advocacy have taught me how to listen, build relationships, and work collaboratively to find solutions. I will bring these skills and relationships to City Council if elected. My goals for our future and my campaign are to honor Othello’s strong traditions and foundations while we work together to build a brighter, more sustainable future. On my website, you’ll find regular updates on community events and opportunities to connect. 

Dorow: Please visit my Facebook page https://bit.ly/DOROWFB  

I am always happy to talk with anyone on issues and I am currently looking to secure a meeting place for coffee and questions.