Reluctantly, Electric City hears consolidation survey results

The chamber of commerce’s Economic Development Council finally got a hearing about its community consolidation survey in front of Electric City’s council, but it wasn’t easy.

The EDC group attended the Aug. 9 council meeting and requested to present to the council the results of the survey that asked whether people would be in favor of consolidating two or more local towns. The group was initially turned down until Councilmember Richard McGuire asked that it be put to a vote.

It passed 3-2, with councilmembers McGuire, Birdie Hensley and Lonna Bussert in favor, and Aaron Derr and Brad Parrish opposing.

The EDC’s Marlene Oddie went through the survey results, which show overwhelming support for consolidation of two or more cities.

The survey went out to 2,235 households in the area through the mail and had 24.4 percent returned. Some 76 percent of those responding were in favor of some kind of consolidation of local municipalities.

Oddie’s presentation drew little comment from the council. If there’s interest, then the two mayors would get together to discuss it, City Clerk Jackie Perman suggested.

Private businesses paid for the EDC survey to gauge public interest. The EDC plans to also present the results to councils in Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam.