Pateros Council passes tax hikes, racing to complete street projects before winter

PATEROS – The city council voted to approve property and emergency medical service (EMS) tax revenue increases allowed by ordinance at its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 18. It also adopted the 2025 fee schedule and budget.

By ordinance, the city takes an annual increase in all taxable real and personal property within city limits. The dollar amount of the increase over the actual levy amount from the previous year is $1,602.87 which represents one percent of the 2024 levy amount of $162,286.86.

The increase excludes additional revenue resulting from new construction, improvements to property, newly constructed wind turbines, any increase in the value of state assessed property, annexations, or refunds made.

The EMS tax was passed by voters in 2008 and allows a one percent annual increase over the previous year’s amount. That increase is $343.55 which represents one percent of the 2024 total of $34,698.21.

The city also adopted its 2025 budget of $6,229,542. The largest component of the 2025 budget is the street fund which at $4,157,727 dwarfs the next largest portion of $727,499 representing the general fund.

The city’s 2025 fee schedule features a 3.1 percent increase in water rates to reflect the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and 3.1 percent plus five dollars ($5.00) for sewer rates.

Projects race winter

Hurst Construction is racing the weather to complete pouring concrete for the last sidewalk and curbs along Commercial Avenue before winter conditions shut down the project for the season. Landscaping, irrigation, electrical, and lighting will be added next spring. Beckstead Electric of Wenatchee is going to install temporary outlets for Christmas lights and the dark months.

“(Commercial) street is going to be very dark through winter without streetlights,” said City Administrator Jord Wilson.

Asphalt and striping have been installed on the Warren/Riverside resin bonding pilot project. Crew members are now concentrating on signs, delineators, and rock landscaping.

The city council meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of every month.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media