The City Moves on Infrastructure
A contentious city council meeting greenlights a major new sewerage system for North Yakima.
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At the adjourned meeting, the council took up the question of sewerage again, following a motion by Councilman Reed. The city would sell to B. Schmidt bonds of the city in the sum of $47,000, running 20 years and drawing 6 per cent interest, at 91 cents on the dollar, in consideration that Schmidt should furnish all material and complete the 'R. A. Jones' system of sewerage. After some discussion, the amount Mr. Schmidt was required to refund to the city was raised to $6,000, and the motion passed by a vote of 4 for and 3 against. Mr. Schmidt made a statement agreeing to accept the terms and begin work the next morning.
“The sewerage question then came up, but the hour was late and an adjournment taken until the following night.”
Infrastructure bonds and the struggle to fund city growth were just as central to Yakima's civic identity in 1891 as they are today. While the specific technologies have changed, the debate over how to finance public works without overburdening taxpayers remains a constant theme in city council proceedings.
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