Rash of petty thefts hits Ritzville

RITZVILLE – During the Dec. 7 City Council meeting, Police Chief Dave McCormick reported a rash of thefts and burglaries on East First Avenue.

Sites included the Ritzville Warehouse office and shop, he said, noting a couple laptop computers and other items were taken, but there were no signs of forced entry.

“Mike Miller’s shop at the end of town was also hit the same night,” he said. Most of the items taken were tools.

According to McCormick, police gathered a lot of evidence at that site, including fingerprints. He expected crime lab results within a week.

In addition, McCormick reported thefts targeting unlocked cars.

“There’s speculation about who’s involved,” he said. “But that doesn’t always mean we know for sure.”

He noted police have adjusted work priorities in an attempt to curb these crimes.

In other city business last week:

Budget hearing

The city’s last public hearing on the proposed 2024 city budget took place Dec. 5.

The final budget included relatively minor revisions to draft budgets presented at council meetings earlier this fall.

The largest percentage increase was in the current expense fund and involved a 23% increase in the city’s liability insurance. That budget item included insurance for general and auto liability, property, equipment breakdown, crime, and auto physical damage.

“Insurance continues to increase each year and is one of the largest variables in planning the budget each year,” according to the budget.

The line item jumped from $120,521 in 2023 to $148,841 in 2024.

Other increases included a 3% cost-of-living-adjustment for employees, except those in the Police Department.

The police chief and officers will receive increases of $500 per wage step.

The final 2024 budget also included $2.2 million to install a Well No. 8 pump station and approximately $1 million for various street improvement projects.

Water project

The council approved a fourth payment totaling $334,159 to POW Contracting to cover ongoing upgrades to the city’s water distribution system.

Ben Varela of Varela Engineering & Management said he expected the firm to request one final contract payment of approximately $100,000.

The city will disburse that payment next year after POW’s cleanup work and the city’s final inspection.