City of Ritzville's 2020 budget forecasts a busy year ahead

As the new year began this week, the 2020 budget for the city of Ritzville has also taken effect as well. It calls for a busy year ahead for the city, tackling a wide variety of projects and issues.

As The Journal has reported in previous issues, the highlight of this year’s recently approved budget--and the topic of much debate--is the setting aside of funds for the city to hire an additional officer at the Ritzville Police Department.

If all goes as planned, according to RPD Chief Dave McCormick, the process of hiring a fifth officer would not begin until July. In the first year, the city is...