Colville City Council Discusses Stipend Budget, Historic Preservation Efforts and EMS Confusion

The council approved a three-year extension with Walsh Coomer and Associates Inc., worth $491,190, to continue engineering and construction work on the city’s Reservoir No. 2 project. The updated agreement runs through 2028 and covers final design and bidding. Council members also gave the green light to an easement agreement with Day Management Corporation, which clarifies property rights along existing access roads and allows for limited improvements.

As part of the city’s mid-biennium budget review, council members weighed whether to boost their $50-per-meeting stipend. Some argued for keeping it as a symbol of public service, while others pushed for a monthly allowance to better reflect their efforts. Ultimately, the council left the pay unchanged, agreeing to revisit the topic at a later date.

A spirited debate over an $8,666 funding request from the Historic Preservation Committee ended with the council paring it down to $1,048. Rather than printing hundreds of history booklets, the council unanimously supported historic plaques and membership fees, while exploring a digital, QR-code approach to showcase Colville’s storied homes and landmarks.

The council spent a significant portion of the meeting addressing confusion about Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and ambulance services. Members voiced concern about potential double-billing when different agencies such as Stevens County, District 7 (Arden) and Pend Oreille respond to calls within city limits. The group also noted that recent state insurance reimbursement changes have added more complexity to local billing. Reports indicated that the sheriff’s ambulance service received about $400,000 in additional county funding to stay operational. To obtain clearer answers, the council stated plans to invite the current EMS providers to explain the differences between Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support systems, and to meet with the county commissioners to discuss possible next steps.

Parks and Recreation Director Jillian Marshall said that city parks are almost set for winter after a successful fall cleanup. The department’s Zombie Walk drew a lively crowd, and babysitting classes for junior high students proved popular, according to Marshall. With winter basketball leagues on the horizon, Marshall also announced plans to hire more swim instructors next summer to alleviate the workload for lifeguards and enhance safety.

Meanwhile, the council reviewed the Colville Chamber of Commerce’s revived “Business Show and Tell” series that highlighted Jabe’s Beef and the new business Tow Major Towing.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m., and is scheduled to include a closed-record hearing on a new behavioral health ordinance, as well as further budget discussions.