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Ellensburg City is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and reliability of its drinking water, with a robust system of monitoring and maintenance in place.

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryCompliance #SustainableResources
Ellensburg officials outline water testing, 11-well system and monitoring plans
City staff summarized how Ellensburg's 11 groundwater wells, monthly and periodic testing, and recent system updates aim to maintain compliance and reliability; staff highlighted UCMR monitoring, consumer confidence reports, and plans for continued leak detection.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 8:25 AM
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Ellensburg is gearing up for a transformative $117 million parks plan with over 130 recommendations that aim to enhance community recreation and sustainability!

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Ellensburg study session reviews $117 million parks plan and funding options
City staff and consultants presented a draft Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan recommending about $117 million in capital projects, a six-year prioritized Tier 1 package (~$3.6M) using existing revenues and a Tier 2 list (~$6.9M) tied to new funding such as a park/public facilities district or tax measures.
citizenportal.ai
March 10, 2026 at 6:01 AM
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The Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board has invested nearly $47 million in 181 projects over 25 years, making a significant impact on local ecosystems and communities like Ellensburg.

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Yakima Basin recovery board outlines 25 years of local projects and funding to Ellensburg council
Alex Conley, executive director of the Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board, told the council the board has funded about 181 projects totaling roughly $47 million since its formation, discussed governance, monitoring challenges and local creek projects affecting Ellensburg, and invited member-city collaboration.
citizenportal.ai
February 19, 2026 at 7:55 PM
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Ellensburg's new Clean Energy Implementation Plan aims for 91% clean energy by 2029 while targeting vulnerable communities with essential programs!

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #EquityInitiatives #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency #EllensburgCleanEnergy
Ellensburg adopts Clean Energy Implementation Plan for 2026'29, sets efficiency targets
Council adopted the city's Clean Energy Implementation Plan (2026'29) as required by the Clean Energy Transformation Act, setting a 4-year energy-efficiency target (~3,200 MWh) and aiming for about 91% clean energy supply over the period largely through Bonneville Power Administration resources; the equity analysis identified vulnerable low-income households and proposed targeted programs.
citizenportal.ai
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 AM
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Ellensburg City Council has just approved a groundbreaking Transit Development Plan for 2026–2031, paving the way for fare-free services and major ADA improvements!

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Ellensburg adopts 2026–2031 transit development plan and accepts 2025 annual report
The council adopted the six-year transit development plan for 2026–2031 and accepted the 2025 annual report, highlighting ADA improvements, service hours, recent RFPs, fare-free service within city limits, and a 90.5% on-time performance metric.
citizenportal.ai
August 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM
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Ellensburg is facing a critical housing crisis with 900 more low-income households than affordable units, prompting urgent policy changes to address this disparity.

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Housing chapter finds shortage of units affordable to lowest-income households; staff proposes regulatory changes
Staff presented the housing chapter and a racially disparate impacts memo that identified about 900 more households under 30% AMI than affordable rental units and recommended policy edits and permitting changes to better enable supportive and middle housing.
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August 5, 2026 at 1:21 PM
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Ellensburg is gearing up to accommodate a surge of 25,631 residents by 2046, proposing strategic zoning changes that could add over 1,500 multifamily units to the community!

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Council reviews land-use chapter; staff proposes targeted rezones to add multifamily capacity
Planning staff presented the final-draft land-use chapter and land-capacity analysis, which finds Ellensburg must plan for 25,631 residents by 2046 (3,012 new housing units target) and proposes targeted rezones that staff estimates would add substantial multifamily capacity while leaving current entitlements intact.
citizenportal.ai
August 5, 2026 at 1:22 PM
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A recent survey reveals Ellensburg residents prioritize safety and long for a greater voice in local decision-making.

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Ellensburg survey: residents rate safety highest and report low influence in local decisions
A city-commissioned community survey presented June 1 found safety and reliable police response ranked highest among priorities, while residents report low ability to influence local decision-making; staff will return with a strategic vision informed by the results.
citizenportal.ai
June 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
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Ellensburg City Council is exploring significant water and sewer rate hikes to fund a $90M+ capital plan, aiming to keep the utilities running smoothly for years to come.

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Ellensburg considers phased water and sewer rate increases and higher connection fees to fund $90M+ capital plan
The council heard a presentation from FCS Group recommending a three‑year phase‑in of water and sewer rate increases (roughly 3% annually for water, about 11–12% for sewer) and staged raises to plant investment (connection) fees to fund major upcoming capital projects and avoid exhausting reserves.
citizenportal.ai
May 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM
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Ellensburg's ambitious 20-year sewer plan is set to tackle aging infrastructure and capacity limits, with a staggering $125 million price tag!

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Ellensburg staff present draft 20-year sewer plan, flagging capacity limits and $125 million price tag
City staff and consultant presented a 20-year general sewer plan for Ellensburg that prioritizes repairs and new treatment capacity, estimates about $125 million in planning-level costs and says the plan is under final review by the Washington Department of Ecology.
citizenportal.ai
May 6, 2026 at 11:35 PM
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Ellensburg City Council made crucial decisions on March 2, including a new public defense agreement, a major Fieldhouse development, and a software purchase for managing public records.

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Votes at a glance: council adopts public defense interlocal, authorizes LOI and software purchase, accepts financial report
On March 2, the council adopted a resolution amending the interlocal agreement with Kittitas County for public defense services, authorized a conditional LOI for the Fieldhouse developer, approved purchase of public records management software, and accepted preliminary Q4 financial reports.
citizenportal.ai
March 10, 2026 at 6:12 AM
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The Ellensburg City Council is set to revolutionize building permit fees by consolidating them into a new code section, aiming for a 90% cost-recovery target—what does this mean for future developments?

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Ellensburg council advances first reading to consolidate, update development review fees
The council conducted first reading of Ordinance 4,981 to move building permit and land‑use review fees into a single code section and adopt fees by resolution, using a 90% cost‑recovery target and ICC valuation model; council discussed permit scope, window/roof examples and enforcement.
citizenportal.ai
March 10, 2026 at 6:08 AM
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Ellensburg is set to transform Rotary Park with a new $16 million Fieldhouse, as the city partners with Central Paving LLC to bring this community vision to life!

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Ellensburg conditionally selects Central Paving LLC for Fieldhouse; council discusses financing and operations
Council authorized the mayor to sign a conditional letter of intent selecting Central Paving LLC as the Ellensburg Fieldhouse developer under an RCW 35.42 lease/leaseback approach, with a not‑to‑exceed project cost of $16 million and financing/operations questions left for negotiation.
citizenportal.ai
March 10, 2026 at 6:07 AM
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City Manager Heidi Baron reveals exciting plans for a new field house and a phased approach to reinventing the city pool, promising a brighter future for community recreation!

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City manager outlines field-house lease–leaseback and multi-step pool replacement planning
City Manager Heidi Baron updated council on recreation planning: the field-house RFQ produced one respondent and staff are developing funding/lease scenarios; the pool replacement will proceed in phases, starting with a reuse/feasibility study and expanded community outreach to identify needs and funding options.
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February 21, 2026 at 10:12 PM
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Ellensburg is taking a bold step forward by allocating $100,000 from opioid settlement funds to combat addiction and support community programs!

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #HarmReduction #EllensburgOpioidSettlement #CommunitySupport
Ellensburg pledges $100,000 to pooled opioid settlement grant fund
The council approved putting $100,000 of restricted opioid-settlement proceeds into a pooled grant fund run with Kittitas County; the allocation includes a 10% administrative fee and is intended for harm-reduction programs and community grant awards.
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February 21, 2026 at 9:54 PM
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Ellensburg City Council has just greenlit a $100,000 commitment to tackle the opioid crisis by collaborating with Kittitas County on harm-reduction grants!

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Ellensburg allocates $100,000 to pooled opioid settlement grants with Kittitas County
Council approved contributing $100,000 in restricted opioid settlement funds to a pooled county grant process; the amount includes a 10% administrative fee to Kittitas County and the city will participate in grant selection and reporting.
citizenportal.ai
February 19, 2026 at 6:32 PM
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Ellensburg is investing $60,000 annually to supercharge downtown events and business growth, with exciting initiatives like a mural restoration and a major conference set to bring in over $200,000!

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #VolunteerEngagement
City extends professional services agreement with Ellensburg Downtown Association
Council authorized the city manager to sign a $60,000-per-year professional services agreement with the Ellensburg Downtown Association to continue downtown events, marketing and projects including roofline lighting and a mural program; the EDA said volunteers and events significantly increased outreach and economic activity in 2025.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 6:24 PM
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Ellensburg City Council is paving the way for affordable housing with two groundbreaking projects, including a unique community land trust initiative that could transform local living!

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #HousingInitiatives #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment
Council backs letters of intent for two local affordable housing projects, including Habitat Willow Street and Odd Fellows Lodge plan
The council authorized letters of intent and directed staff to develop agreements for Habitat for Humanity’s three-unit Willow Street project ($1.1M request) and Odd Fellows Lodge No. 20’s 24-unit rental proposal ($1.2M request), citing permanent affordability mechanisms and a mix of funding including a $1M CHIP award for the Odd Fellows site.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
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Ellensburg City Council has taken a bold step towards modernizing public safety with the approval of the Peregrine software, promising enhanced data integration and compliance.

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EllensburgPublicSafety
Ellensburg approves Peregrine public-safety software; officials emphasize CJIS compliance and local QA
The council authorized the city manager to sign an order form for the Peregrine public-safety data platform after a presentation describing data integration, CJIS-compliant AI modules and local oversight; councilmembers asked questions about records requests, retention and AI validation.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
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Ellensburg City Council has officially teamed up with Kittitas County to tackle the opioid crisis by pooling settlement funds for innovative treatment and prevention strategies!

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #SubstanceAbusePrevention #EllensburgOpioidSettlement
Ellensburg, Kittitas County Agree to Pool Opioid Settlement Funds; County to Administer
Council approved an interlocal agreement to pool restricted opioid settlement funds with Kittitas County, establishing a joint RFP process, shared evaluation and county administration of payments with an up-to-10% administration fee and annual harm-reduction funding split.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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Ellensburg's City Council just took a major step to enhance flood safety by partnering with Kittitas County to update crucial FEMA flood maps—could this change how we build and protect our community?

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Ellensburg OKs Interlocal With Kittitas County to Update Flood Insurance Maps for Whiskey, Mercer Creeks
City Council authorized an interlocal agreement with Kittitas County to submit updated FEMA flood-insurance maps (LOMR) for Whiskey and Mercer Creeks, adopting improved 2D hydraulic modeling, recent lidar and survey data and advancing a Whiskey Creek reroute feasibility study while reserving local discretion on advisory zone regulation.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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In a heated meeting, the Ellensburg City Council voted to adopt a controversial DEI Commission's Draft B for Chapter 9, igniting passionate debates about community safety and federal compliance.

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Ellensburg council substitutes DEI commission's Draft B for Chapter 9 after contentious public hearing
Following hours of public testimony both for and against retaining DEI language, the Ellensburg City Council voted to substitute the DEI Commission's Draft B for the existing Chapter 9 in the comprehensive plan and conducted first reading of Ordinance 4977 to implement 2025 docketed amendments.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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Ellensburg is ramping up its efforts to upgrade its aging water system, with a $400,000 Walnut Street project on the horizon and the Illinois well pumping high volumes to ensure reliability.

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Ellensburg highlights Illinois well capacity, valve work and pipe-replacement plans
City staff described the Illinois well's high output and how recent valve replacements and a targeted Walnut Street main-replacement project fit into a longer plan to replace aging cast-iron mains; staff budgeted $300,000 in 2025-26 and proposed a $400,000 Walnut Street project.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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As Ellensburg grapples with its third consecutive year of drought, city officials are pushing for innovative water conservation measures and a groundbreaking Aquifer Storage and Recovery pilot project to secure the future of its water supply.

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Ellensburg pursues ASR pilot and conservation outreach amid Yakima Basin drought
Staff described drought impacts in the Yakima Basin in 2025, city conservation measures, participation in basin planning, and an Ecology grant ($180,000) to advance Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) feasibility and pilot work in 2026-27.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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Ellensburg City Council has made significant budget adjustments and set the 2026 property tax levy, but what does this mean for local services and residents?

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#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #EllensburgBudget #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #TaxPolicy #CommunityPlanning
Ellensburg council approves mid-biennial budget changes and sets 2026 property tax levy
Council conducted first reading of a 2025'26 supplemental budget (Ordinance 4976) and adopted the 2026 property tax levy (Ordinance 4974) limited to the 1% statutory cap; staff noted the levy adds $37,248.12 from the 1% increase and $52,684.83 from new construction.
citizenportal.ai
November 19, 2025 at 3:25 AM