Davenport City Council news

DAVENPORT – At an Oct. 23 meeting, the Davenport City Council voted to accept a one percent increase of the property tax collected by the county on city properties, a move that will bring the city roughly $2,600 a year.

According to Lincoln County officials, properties in the city of Davenport in 2020 were worth an assessed value of $107 million. The county taxes those properties at the rate of 3.375%, a tax that brings in $278, 752 to the county coffers. State law allows the city of Davenport to take one percent of that revenue, which will bring $2,600 into the city in 2021.

The city council began taking the one percent increase in 2013. If the city does not accept the funds, they are still collected by the county but held in a type of savings account for the city by the county.

The projected city budget for 2021 is $9.3 million with $8.4 million in expense. These figures are “abnormally inflated”, according to city clerk Dave Leath who noted the high figures reflect the federal airport improvement money that will pass through the city’s accounts next year.

“We received a $4,686,500 grant to improve the airport runway and anticipate spending $4,679,000 of that,” Leath noted.

The city’s revenue in 2020 was $4.1 million with expenses logging in at $2.6 million. The $1.5 million difference between the figures shows the amount the city reserves in savings.

WSG rates will not increase

While the city did approve an increase to the property tax levy for the city, the water, sewer and garbage rates will not increase in 2021.

The current residential water rate is $42.37, the sewer rate is $39.19 and the basic garbage service (a 32 gallon tote) is $20.06 per month.

Council approves ADA transition plan contractor

At the Oct. 23 of the Davenport City Council, the council also approved contracting with Century West Engineering to help the city made changes to be compliant with their Americans with Disabilities Act plan. The firm will determine what modifications may need to be made to the city, including improved street signs or illuminated crosswalks to make the city more accessible to those with disabilities. The project is being funded by a grant from the Washington Department of Transportation.

On a similar topic, the city approved vacating a 50 foot portion of Park Street in order to allow the property owner to install a wheelchair ramp for a tenant.

Building inspection contractor approved

The city council also approved contracting with Northwest Contract Pros. To conduct building inspections on behalf of the city. The contract allows the city to provide the inspection services to residents without having to have an independent building department. In 2020, the city provided 74 building inspections.