So far, the city of Yakima has not been interested in supporting or participating in the future regional crime center to be located in Zilla. But that could change after an exploratory meeting scheduled by Yakima City Council on Tuesday. Classes begin at 5:00 pm at Yakima City Hall.
Officials from the Yakima Valley Government Conference will approach the council in the hope that the city will support funding for the center. The center was launched with $2.8 million in funding for equipment, staff, and training under the U.S. Rescue Program Act. Yakima County Sheriff Bob Udall is now chairman of a newly formed local crime center work committee. The rest of the working capital will come from the city. How much each will pay will be determined by the population, and apparently Yakima will be the biggest contributor at $91,000 in the first year.
So far, some city officials, including Yakima’s police chief, have said they are not interested in participating in the lab, saying that many programs and experts are already in use and working in Yakima City. Yakima City Councilman Matt Brown said he no longer worries about funding or running the lab.
Also during Tuesday’s study session, the council will discuss creating a waterfront or community development agency to help the city with what it calls “improvement” of the North First Street area. Yakima City Council will discuss the waterfront at the end of the study session after some council members asked city staff to gather information. Any discussion of the port area must ultimately be approved by the voters.
Post time: Oct-27-2022