Nancy Aldrich

1) Should West Richland adopt a “City Manager” form of government, or retain the “Strong Mayor” form of government that we currently have? Please explain your rationale.

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West Richland’s population is growing and with that are the necessary infrastructure to support that growth. A City Manager form of government could provide stability and professional oversight. The Manager would serve at the whim of the council, with the council developing policy and the Manager implementing it. However, politics could interfere and the relationship could deteriorate.

Now if the residents value direct accountability, keeping the strong Mayor system may be better. The concern with this form of government in West Richland has been the lack of government experience in past mayors resulting in a huge learning curve. 

I have seen five mayors while living in West Richland. I can truthfully say, in my opinion, only two were able to step in and perform the office of Mayor. They are the current mayor Brent Gerry and past mayor Jerry Peltier.

I believe with West Richland’s growing population and its growing infrastructure needs, the city will need a professional City Administrator if it stays with a Mayor-Council form of government.

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2) The West Richland Mayor currently has sole discretion over hiring and salary decisions for City Staff.  Should that continue or should hiring and salary decisions require concurrence with the City Council? 

 

RCW 35A.12.100 states that the mayor is the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, in charge of all departments and employees, with authority to designate assistants and department heads.

Under the current “Strong Mayor” form of government, the City Council sets policy in collaboration with the Mayor, who is then responsible for carrying out those policies. His duties include the authority to hire and dismiss staff members.

Salary schedules are set within the city budget, which requires Council approval and may be adjusted during the budget process.

It's up to the current Mayor if they choose to allow Council into those decisions. I would not support it since politics can come into play in staff decisions.

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3) Should there be a succession plan for key city staff positions? 

 

Most definitely yes. A strong succession plan ensures continuity of operations, institutional knowledge so expertise isn’t lost when a staff member leaves and smooth leadership transitions that reduce disruption to city services.

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4) What are your favorite aspects of West Richland and what do you think draws people to our City?  Alternatively, what are your leading concerns? 

 

My family moved to West Richland in 1986, when Van Giesen was just two lanes with a rickety bridge over the Yakima River, Keene Road did not exist, and Bombing Range ended at Blue Heron. My kids would ride their bikes to the Pit Stop on Van Giesen for ice cream and candy. At that time, our population was about 2,300, and today it’s over 18,000. I have seen our community grow from a small rural town into a thriving suburban city that still retains some rural character.

What draws people to live here is our family lifestyle. I watched my kids play soccer at Flat Top Park and my son play Little League at BBR Sports Complex. My husband, Steve, helped survey in the boundaries of the Sports Complex. I remember when the Boy Scouts planted trees at Bombing Range Sports Park. Those kinds of community events make West Richland special. People are drawn here for our moderate home prices, beautiful parks, local wineries, and the easy access we have to the entire Tri-Cities area.

While there is a desire by a few residents to keep West Richland rural, development continues as landowners choose to build, and with the Growth Management Act any refusal to impede growth could be complicated.

My leading concerns today are our levels of police service. We need more officers on the street and stronger training, especially for emergencies that might occur at our schools or parks. I would also like to see a Community/Senior Center and pool built to serve residents of all ages.  Prosser has them.  Why can’t we plan for them?

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5) How should current and future City Park development and maintenance be funded?  Should the City establish a Parks & Recreation department or contract for private companies to provide those services? Should future neighborhood parks be maintained through HOA funding? 

 

For funding sources for current and future development and maintenance, the city could ask the voters to approve a dedicated Parks & Recreation levy. It spreads costs across all taxpayers and ensures equitable access. They could establish a program for corporate sponsorships and naming rights (Frank Tiegs Park). It can supplement revenue and boost community-business ties. We also need to pursue more state, national and federal grants for park development.

The time has come for West Richland to establish its own Parks & Recreation Department. At one point, more West Richland children were registered for Richland’s seasonal sports programs than Richland’s own residents. This clearly shows the demand and community interest. Now we need to move forward with a plan for our own department, where consultants can design our parks, and the city provides the mowing, upkeep, and long-term maintenance.

HOA funded parks can create inequities. Neighborhoods with active HOAs may have better-maintained parks than those maintained by the City, leading to unequal access to quality recreation spaces. There is also the question of public use. Can non-HOA residents access these parks, or are they restricted? Another concern is long-term sustainability. What happens in 10 - 15 years if an HOA dissolves? Without a funding and maintenance plan in place, those parks could fall into disrepair. While I’m not a fan of HOAs, I acknowledge that in the short term, until we form our own Parks and Rec Department, they may be a necessary compromise to help meet community park needs.

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6) How would you improve communication between the City Council and citizens? Should more time be given for people to speak at City Council meetings? Should there be more open workshops for citizens to attend? Other suggestions? 

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I have always believed an open, two-way communication is essential for a healthy city government. Any City Council should make it easier for citizens to stay informed. I would support extending public comment time at City Council meetings when there is strong community interest in a topic. People should not feel rushed when expressing their views. More open workshops on major issues before formal votes are taken, so residents can hear background information, ask questions, and offer suggestions in a less formal setting.

These steps would help citizens feel heard, improve transparency, and ensure that Council decisions reflect the will of the community.

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7) What is your position on allowing adult-only businesses such as adult entertainment, casinos, etc. within City limits? 

 

Because of my actions earlier this year, this question will become an issue for me. Earlier this year, before the March vote on retail marijuana stores, I wrote a pro statement in support of marijuana retail stores. My support was not about advocating for or against marijuana retail stores, but about supporting the voters and ensuring the voters had a voice.

I believed the “con” group might present misleading or inaccurate information in their statement, and I wanted voters to have the opportunity to decide for themselves based on facts. The city’s own survey had shown community support for marijuana, and I felt it was important it be tested at the ballot box.

I also researched how this issue would specifically affect West Richland and concluded that, if approved, any tax revenue generated should be directed toward our parks.

Whether the measure passed or failed, my priority was that the decision be made by the voters of West Richland—not by a small group without broader community input.

Now, I do not support the proliferation of adult-only businesses within West Richland city limits such as the question asked, i.e. casinos, card rooms, adult entertainment. While such establishments may generate tax revenue, they can also impact property values and increase the demand for law enforcement. If any were ever to be considered, they should be strictly regulated through zoning to ensure they are located away from schools, parks, residential areas, and other sensitive sites, with licensing requirements and operation restrictions.

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8) What is your position on permitting firework sales and use within West Richland city limits?  Should Municipal Code Section 8.22;  “Fireworks” and Section 9.38; “Noise Regulation” be amended to be consistent? 

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I’ve always enjoyed fireworks. In fact, we once had a black lab named Rufus who was convinced that “what goes up must come down.” He would watch the aerials launch and then dash around our backyard, eagerly trying to catch them as they returned to earth. He never managed to snag one, but he never stopped trying.

That said, I also recognize that times have changed. Today, we have more homes encroaching into the desert; we have more residents suffering from PTSD; and more homeowners have dogs or other pets that are distressed by fireworks. A citywide ban often sounds like a solution, but in practice it can be difficult to enforce and may not be effective.

A more balanced approach would be to amend Section 8.22 “Fireworks” to specifically prohibit the sale and use of aerial fireworks within West Richland city limits.  These present the greatest safety hazards, noise concerns, and risk of property damage or wildfire. Limiting permitted fireworks to ground-based, non-aerial types would still allow residents to celebrate Independence Day in a festive manner while reducing noise complaints, injuries, and fire incidents.

Additionally, the permitted use period should be restricted to July 4th, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, to reduce disruptions to residents, pets, and veterans sensitive to loud noises. This provides clarity for both residents and law enforcement, helping to ensure compliance and minimize neighborhood disputes.

To ensure consistency, Section 9.38 “Noise Regulation” should be reviewed and amended in conjunction with the fireworks code so that both ordinances clearly align on allowable times and types of noise-producing activities.

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9) What can City government do to improve transparency with the public when it comes to spending and other critical City decisions?  

 

City government can improve transparency in spending and decision making by making information clear, accessible and timely. Publish easy-to-read budget and spending reports. Hold quarterly town hall sessions with the mayor and one or two council members present with a question/answer format to reach more residents.

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10) What can be done to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of our City tax dollars?  

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The State Auditor conducts a comprehensive review of the City every three years, auditing all departments, budgets, dedicated funds, and personnel policies. In my past experience, as a former West Richland council member and Benton Clean Air Agency Board, any financial fraud is detected quickly. West Richland has received several state awards for its budget practices, which speaks to our strong fiscal management. While there is no evidence of fraud, I believe there is always room to reduce waste and improve efficiency. This can be achieved by regularly reviewing expenditures, setting clear performance metrics, and ensuring that projects and services deliver measurable value to taxpayers.