Separate Vote for Downtown Plan Could Cost Thousands

If the Yakima City Council decides to hold an advisory vote on the Downtown Master Plan it will cost taxpayers between $20,000 and $30,000.

Auditor Corky Halloway tells KIT News, “It depends on how many other issues are on the ballot. But if it’s the only issue on the ballot then it’s more expensive.”

City councilman Bill Lover contends the advisory vote would help give the council direction. He says he will ask the council to vote on the issue in the first meeting of 2014.

The city does have the option of including the advisory vote on a ballot that may contain other issues. That way it would share the cost of the election with Yakima County.