Take advantage of free tax prep with AARP

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites are now open and ready to help prepare and e-file personal tax returns for the first time in three years.

The free tax service is available to all taxpayers. AARP membership is not required.

The service includes federal personal tax returns as well as the new Washington Working Family Tax Credit.

Tax-Aide is operating through April 18.

Here’s a list of where to get assistance:

• Mid-Columbia Libraries, Kennewick branch, 1620 S. Union St., Kennewick: noon to 4 p.m. Thursday. Appointments required: Call 509-542-7960.

• Mid-Columbia Libraries Keewaydin Park branch, 405 S. Dayton St., Kennewick: 12:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday; 12:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Appointments required: Call 509-542-7960.

• Mid-Columbia Libraries, Pasco branch, 1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco: noon-4 p.m. Wednesday.

• Richland Community Center: 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland: 8:30 a.m.8 p.m. Monday; 8:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. Appointments required: Call 509-542-7960.

• Pasco City Hall Activity Center, 525 N. Third Ave., Pasco: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Appointments required: Call 509-542-7960.

• Burbank Library, 875 Lake Road, Burbank: 10:15 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday. Appointments not required.

In addition to in-person tax preparation, Tax-Aide also is providing a new option for taxpayers to prepare their own taxes. Alternative Tax Preparation is aimed at taxpayers who would prefer to prepare their taxes, using their own computers.

In addition to free online software, Tax-Aide-certified counselors will be available to assist in preparing and filing tax returns electronically. not a problem. Because of the low cost of living in the country, businesses can save 60% to 80% of operational costs.”

To participate in this new program, taxpayers need to be computer savvy and have an internet connection. Counselors provide assistance using online interactive software. Those interested can get more information at taxaideqa.aarp.org/ hc/en-us.

In 2021, more than 820,000 taxpayers (23,000 in Washington) using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services received more than $892 million ($28 million in Washington) in income tax refunds. The service is offered in conjunction with the IRS.

We need policies that increase affordable housing in the short- and long-term. AWB urges lawmakers to pass a bipartisan housing package – and Washingtonians need it passed this year – that includes bills that encourage “missing middle” housing and condos and for more accessory dwelling units.

Housing has long been a priority in Olympia. What’s different this year is the urgency, bipartisan collaboration and willingness to embrace statewide solutions.

We need to go big on housing – so all Washingtonians can go home.

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Organizations that are great at sales too often rely on computers to “dial-up” prospects. If someone happens to answer the phone, there is a slight delay and a lively, perky salesperson comes online to initiate the pitch. They instantly become your best friend.

Once sale is consummated, the whole ball game changes. Prospects become “customers” and go into “phone prompt” hell. Our best buddy is off cajoling another prospect.

Successful organizations place as much emphasis on customer service as they do on sales. They are constantly improving products, quickly solving problems and measuring how their products or services are working. If there is a problem, they want to know immediately and not put customers through the old washing machine ringer to find out.

The sale is the beginning, not the end, of customer service and retention. Since transactions are increasingly online, avoiding “phone prompt” hell is job one.

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer, and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at theBrunells@msn.com.

The change sent new construction costs skyrocketing.

“Instead of four gas-fired furnaces, we are looking at 27 heat pumps. It raised (the cost) quite a bit … we had to reevaluate and look at the loan. The energy portion of it was almost $1 million with the heat pumps,” Sexton said.

It wasn’t an easy case to make to their lender, so it was back to the drawing board.

Though the Sextons planned to heat the marketplace with natural gas, they also had integrated into their plans small-scale wind and a 150-by-65-foot solar rooftop array to generate some power for the facility.

“With the furnaces – which are 98% efficient – the solar alone was going to generate 38% of our energy, but new calculations have dropped it to 7% because that’s how much electricity the heat pumps would use,” he said.

Osprey Pointe isn’t sunk though.

The Sextons are participating in an energy audit program to help identify ways to cut costs through additional energy-efficient features.

They also have hired a Seattle-based energy consultant, as well as a solar and wind engineer who are working with the audit team to determine solutions.

“We think we can still create 70% of the power on site,” Sexton said. Their goal is for the facility to be net zero and Energy Star-certified.

Wanting to do it right

He said they have heard a lot of doubt about the project from the community.

“Yes, it’s taking too long, but I only have one chance to do this,” he said. “People don’t realize that we now have plans for where everything goes – every electrical outlet, sewer, water, wind power – all of it.”

At press time, Sexton was waiting on approval for his permit for off-site sewer and water.

“It feels like nothing’s happening, but behind the scenes there is massive amounts of stuff going on,” he said.

Soon, there will be more visible activity.

With the marketplace specs under revision, the Sextons have pivoted to two highefficiency mixed-use apartment buildings they believe will anchor the future marketplace.

They didn’t take the easy road there either.

Each building will be four stories high, with up to six suites of commercial space on the ground floor and three stories of residential units above for a total of 18 units per building.

The units will be 1,450 square feet, featuring three bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry and a 6-by-7-foot storage unit.

Two parking spaces will be allotted for each unit underground beneath the building and fully secured by a gated entry. There also will be a mail room and exercise room on the ground floor.

Rent will be between $2,500 to $2,800. Sexton said he and his wife see the need for affordable housing in the area, so will be buying the land from the port as they develop it.

The project is projected to cost nearly $14 million.

The commercial space in one of the buildings is already leased and will be home to two restaurants, a hair salon, yoga studio and the JMS Construction office, which is currently located in another building on site.

Sexton hopes to break ground in a few weeks.

He said the city of Pasco had to rewrite its building codes to accommodate the unprecedented mixed-use development and create a new zoning classification: Waterfront District Zone.

A new waterfront vision

The buildings challenge the status quo in the Tri-Cities.

A future hotel Sexton has planned will rise eight stories above the Pasco horizon. There also will be five seven-story buildings.

Buildings four stories and above must have an elevator, per code. Eight stories require two.

“We don’t even have an elevator company in Tri-Cities,” Sexton said.

“I can design a house or building in six months … but when I have to get a fire suppression system up in eight stories of one building and make sure the city water lines are big enough to get to the top of the first building, or the second, it takes a lot of time for the engineers to go figure that out and go back and forth with the city,” he said.

In short, it’s hard to be among the first.

“At this point, we’ve got too much into it not to follow through,” Sexton said.

To finance the project, the Sextons have had to get creative and pull money from multiple sources: personal funds, the bank, hard money lenders and also an opportunity fund.

Osprey Pointe is designated as an opportunity zone – typically low-income communities and neighboring areas determined by population census records that would benefit from economic stimulus and revitalization.

Tax incentives exist for those who invest in opportunity zones, including no taxation on the appreciation of investment funds held beyond 10 years.

“When doing projects like this, you really have to think about, ‘How am I going to come up with $250 million?’ ” Sexton said.

Once the apartment complex is completed, he said they will move on to the 70 detached condos planned for the west side of the property.

The hope is to break ground on the marketplace along the way.

“Every day we get calls from prospective vendors. Our list is 350 long of interested people,” he said. The marketplace can accommodate 120.

As he wrote in the March 2022 Osprey Pointe Marketplace newsletter, “We’re completely committed to bringing this vision to life – all of it. We are both locals and we’re tired of driving out of town for concerts and adventures. Our area is full of life and growing so why can’t we have those activities here?”

It’s a question Osprey Pointe seems poised to answer.

Go to: jmstricities.com; portofpasco. org/our-properties/osprey-point.

Need to hire for entry-level positions? Try the KSD job fair

Businesses needing to hire entry-level positions can participate in the Kennewick School District’s upcoming Student Job Fair.

The job fair runs from 6-8 p.m. April 19 at Kennewick High School.

The event focuses on connecting local businesses with students seeking parttime, full-time or summer positions.

Goals for this event include connecting graduating seniors who want to move directly into the workforce with businesses that have entry-level positions and opportunities for growth, and helping younger students gain work experience with part-time or summer employment opportunities.

Interested in hosting a table and participating? Go to: bit.ly/KSDjobfair.

Tickets on sale to celebrate Tri-Citian of the Year

Celebrate the Tri-Cities’ top civic leader during the Tri-Citian of the Year Award program.

Tickets are on sale for the annual event.

The award will be announced April 27 during a dinner program at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Tickets to attend cost $75.

The keynote speaker is Sylvester “Syl” Neal, past president of Kiwanis International who spent his career in public service as a firefighter, airport security chief and state fire marshal.

The Tri-Citian of the Year award exemplifies the highest standards of community service and leadership. The nomination deadline was March 10.

Last year’s winner was Mark Brault, the volunteer chief executive officer for Grace Clinic, who was honored for his decades of community service to several nonprofits in the region.

The award is sponsored by the six Rotary clubs and five Kiwanis clubs in the Tri-Cities.

Go to: tricitianoftheyear.com.

State’s universal masking requirements to end April 3

The universal state masking requirements in health care, long-term care and adult correctional facilities ends April 3.

Covid-19, RSV and influenza disease rates and hospitalizations have continued to decline since the end of last year, state health official said.

The state Department of Health infection prevention and control guidance continues to recommend masks for patients, health care providers and visitors in health care settings.

Local or tribal governments, facilities and providers may choose to continue to require masks in these or other settings.

Several worker protection requirements enforced by the state’s Department of Labor & Industries remain in effect, including that employees and contractors may choose to use face masks or other personal protective equipment on the job without employer retaliation.

Additionally, under the state Health Emergency Labor Standards Act rules, several key worker protections remain in place until the federal pandemic response declaration ends May 11.

Pasco seeks grants for proposed Road 76 overpass

The city of Pasco has announced it is seeking grants to build a Road 76 overpass, a project estimated to cost $22.8 million.

The project would provide a way for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians to cross Interstate 182 between Burden and Chapel Hill boulevards.

The city said the proposed project will help to relieve congestion on the Road 68 corridor and provide pedestrians and bicyclists with a safe connection across I-182.

The city is pursuing funding opportunities at the private, city, state and federal levels and plans to advance this project to design, right-of-way acquisition and construction as soon as the funding is secured.

A link to an interactive comment map (bit.ly/Rd76Overpass) shows how community members can share their thoughts about the project.

Applicants sought to serve on Pasco School Board

Applications are now available to Pasco School District residents interested in serving the unexpired term for board position No. 1 through November 2023.

Potential board members must live in the Pasco School District, be a United States citizen and a registered voter. This is a volunteer and unpaid position.

The district boundary map can be found on the district’s school board elections website.

Applications are available by filling out the electronic submission form at psd1.org/boardapplication. Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 24.

Tickets on sale for new Umatilla music festival

Tickets are on sale for the Rock the Locks Music Festival in Umatilla, Oregon.

The three-day festival is held Oct. 6-8 at the Big River Golf Course, 709 Willamette St., in Umatilla.

The event will feature ZZ Top, Collective Soul and Night Ranger, along with rockers Hinder, original Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate, Ozomatli, Everclear, Royal Bliss, Winger, and David Cook, winner of season 7 of “American Idol,” and more.

Rock the Locks Music Festival is a three-day music festival bringing together thousands of music lovers to enjoy more than 25 bands on two stages.

Festival attendees will have plenty of on-site amenities to enhance their experience including over 30 food and merchandise vendors, on-site camping, a general store and beer gardens.

General admission, camping and VIP tickets are on sale. Go to: rockthelocks. org.