Pasco City Council Workshop Meeting of September 28, 2026

The Pasco City Council workshop on September 28, 2026, focused chiefly on proposed wastewater utility rate changes for 2027–2030. Staff presented a plan to use the utility’s risk reserve to subsidize rates while costs rise; projections included annual operating and capital costs of about $35 million in 2027 and $37.5 million in 2030. Twin City Foods and Oregon Potato Company objected, citing substantial increases to processor costs, concerns about the facility’s performance and contract transparency, and potential effects on local jobs. Council members favored delaying the planned October 5 rate vote and sought further discussion with processors and Burnham, review of operating costs and revenue options, and results of performance testing expected in October. A possible nitrogen-removal project was estimated at about $20 million, but no solution had been selected. The workshop involved no formal action or contract award.

The council also discussed development-agreement approval procedures, a critical-areas ordinance update, and the comprehensive-plan update. On proposed urban-growth-area applications, members indicated support for advancing both sites for county consideration; Port representatives cited roughly $20 million in public infrastructure already delivered and a $5 million water-line project underway. Council feedback also favored a locally tailored critical-areas review process and identifying commercial areas to preserve under state housing requirements. These were workshop discussions and policy direction, not formal approvals.