OKANOGAN — Two new board members were seated March 9 on the Alta Vista Irrigation District’s governing body.
Zack Claussen and Crystal Hasey joined Rob Paine on the board. Claussen and Hasey were appointed by the Okanogan County commissioners to fill positions vacated by Matt Wyatt and Aaron Schoonover, who resigned.
About 10-12 district residents attended the March 9 meeting in the Grainger Administration Building.
Alta Vista commissioners set the goal of getting water flowing this irrigation system and seeing what needs to be done to keep the system running, said interim maintenance manager Brian Kirchner.
In addition, the district hired Shannon Lantrip as the new maintenance manager.
One more director is needed. Laurie Teas was poised to take Paine’s place, but had to bow out because of work commitments, said Kirchner.
Dennis O’Connor agreed to take the post. His name will be submitted to county commissioners for appointment soon.
Still to be named is a new district secretary to succeed Lori Caswell, who said she’d like to resign.
During a Feb. 9 meeting, district residents also learned:
• The district has maintenance issues.
• A franchise agreement with the City of Okanogan to operate the system within the city expired in 2018.
• Improvements will be needed eventually because the city plans to strengthen the Okanogan River dike along North Second Avenue. The district’s pumping system crosses the dike and eventually will have to be moved, said city planner Chris Johnson.
• The district needs proper insurance.
• District assessments probably will need to be raised to pay for the improvements. Many of those at the Feb. 9 meeting said they’d pay more to keep the district operating.
District members will pay 0.016 cent per square foot in 2023, or $160 for a 100- by 100-foot lot. The 2023 assessment total for the district is $31,405.16, according to the county treasurer’s office.
Alta Vista Irrigation District serves the area from the Okanogan County Courthouse complex north to June Street on North Fourth Avenue, Irene Street on North Third Avenue and the former U&I Motel property on North Second Avenue. The district was formed in 1920, but had its beginnings around 1906.
It has a state-issued senior water right to pull water from the river. That right allows the district to keep pumping water when others with junior rights have to shut down because of low water flow.
The next board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. April 11 in the Okanogan County Public Utility District hearing room, 1331 N. Second Ave., Okanogan.
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