THE PUBLIC’S BUSINESS

The Ellensburg City Council has conducted its public meetings via Zoom during the pandemic.

THE PUBLIC’S BUSINESS

Pandemic has wide impact on how public business conducted

By RODNEY HARWOOD

staff writer

As America works to dig out from under the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Ellensburg is no different. The local economy took several hits over the course of 2020 and it has affected how the city does business.

The Ellensburg Rodeo was canceled for the first time in 78 years, creating a substantial economical loss. The annual three-day Jazz in the Valley was also canceled.

The governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe,” impacted everything from restaurants to hotels to businesses across the state, but city officials buckled up for the long haul, Ellensburg City Manager John Akers said.

“We’ve had a lot of uncollected utility accounts because of the governor’s orders,” said Akers, who is scheduled to retire in May. “We have a fairly (large) accounts receivable that we may or may not ever be able to collect.

“We’re thinking about a 30% loss. The biggest hit to the city tax base so far is in the hotel and restaurant sectors.”

The three big pieces to the sales tax puzzle are retail commerce, construction and food services. City Finance Director Jerica Pascoe said back in May, city sales are the major portion to the business structure. In focusing on the sales tax, the city will manage. “There’s going to be other taxes and areas of funding where we’re going to take a huge hit, but we’ve been focusing on sales tax. There’s three largest pieces of sales tax,” she said. “Retail trade is our biggest. Construction goes up and down every month. That one’s going to be volatile, then there’s food services. “We’re trying to take a peek at what they’re going to do to see what’s to come. Construction will be helpful, but it just depends on how much and how long. Construction is all about the timing about when the projects are done and paid.”

CITY SHUT DOWN

The city offices shut down for three months in the beginning, but have been re-opened since July. But it’s a far cry from business as usual with mask requirements, social-distancing and the various safety protocols in place.

“I don’t even have in-person meetings with staff anymore. Everything is a Zoom meeting,” Akers said. “The biggest thing I notice when I walk in the building is the masks and people standing apart.

“No one eats or has lunch together. It’s better now with the vaccines

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Like other city of Ellensburg departments, the Ellensburg Library had to alter the way it does business during the pandemic, including offering curbside pickup for library materials. available, but it’s still very visible.”

Like other city staff meetings, the Ellensburg City Council has been conducting business via the Zoom connection.

“I think there have been more positives than negatives with the council meetings,” Mayor Bruce Tabb said. “We’re not able to have any in-person public input, but through the Zoom we have more community statements in the conversations now since I have been on the council.

“With the virtual meetings, people can call in and comment on a topic and get off. So, we have more voices being heard in public input.”

City operations like the public library, the adult center and the public swimming pool have been closed off and on throughout the year. The Ellensburg Public Library was one of 11 libraries across the state that re-opened to the public, even though it did run as a curb-side operation for several weeks.

Parks have been closed at various points as part of the governor’s office safety regulations. But as America moves forward, people are starting to see more opportunity to be active and get out more.

Despite the cancelations of major events like the rodeo and Jazz in the Valley, there have been some adjustments by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and the Ellensburg Downtown Association to help with business owners.

“There has been a lot of creativity during the pandemic like the Streeteries that are opening up around town to serve customers in outside venues,” Tabb said. “People are supporting local businesses as best they can. So, it looks like we’ll get through this as best we can.” v

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