Numerous local governments and organizations have sent a letter to House Local Government Committee members urging passage of Senate Bill 5001 sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins.
Senate Bill 5001, which passed the Senate unanimously on March 1st after successfully advancing through three Senate committees is now scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday before the House Local Government Committee. The Ranking Republican on the committee is 12th District House member Keith Goehner.
Signatories to the group letter include, Chelan County, Douglas County, East Wenatchee, Wenatchee, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, Link Transit, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Confluence Health, and Our Valley, Our Future. The letter said, “SB 5001 will provide our region with the organizational and financing mechanism to seek voter approval to form a second Public Facilities District for the specific purpose of constructing and operating a regional aquatic center-sports complex.”
Urging passage of the bill, stakeholders share, “As our region continues to thoughtfully consider the possibilities of joining forces to construct and operate a regional aquatic center-sports complex and to potentially seek voter-approval, we need certainty that a sufficient organizational and financial mechanism is available.”
Sen. Hawkins said, “It is fantastic to see all these organizations come together in an effort to gain this statutory authority. Doing so will provide our region a great option to pursue a future facility together, if that is what local voters ultimately decide to do.”