Pasco lays out legislative asks to Olympia: police academy upgrades, major road projects and water plant funding

City of Pasco officials used a special meeting workshop with area legislators to press a set of regional capital and planning requests tied to public safety, transportation and water infrastructure.

Police training academy: Deputy Chief Cook and staff described the Pasco Regional Police Training Academy as the state's first regional academy for the area and said it has graduated about 167 students regionally, with 21 graduates from Pasco. To expand classroom capacity, improve restrooms and add security fencing that will enable larger, reality‑based training, staff requested $972,000 in capital funding. "The classroom size is right at the minimum," staff said, arguing modest capital investment would let the campus host additional CJTC classes and meet mandated training needs.

Road projects and safety: The council urged funding for the Road 76 overpass, saying the city has secured approximately $3,760,000 in a block community grant for right‑of‑way and planning but still faces a roughly $30,000,000 construction funding gap. City leaders framed the project as critical to easing congestion at a high‑use interchange and emphasized regional coordination for multi‑district benefits. Separately, the city requested a $3,000,000 planning study for the US‑12/8th Street interchange to analyze safety issues, conceptual alternatives and stakeholder engagement; staff noted WSDOT manages the state facility and the study would inform effective solutions.

Butterfield Water Treatment Plant: City staff described the Butterfield plant, originally built in 1946 with updates through 1999, as unable to meet future demand and to treat emerging contaminants. The city estimated full upgrades would cost between $220 million and $260 million and asked for $80 million in low‑interest loans, grants or other sources to begin design and construction. Staff warned that without outside funding the burden would fall to residents through utility rate increases and said current projections could nearly double water rates within four years if the city must cover the full cost locally.

Legislators responded by describing the constrained state budget environment and advising coordinated, prioritized requests. Several legislators urged the city to prepare tight project packets so that if funding opportunities arise the city can move quickly. At the end of the session, staff and the delegation agreed to continue communication during the 60‑day legislative session.