The Ellensburg City Council convened on June 2, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including a rezone application and an expansion of the low-income utility discount program.

The meeting began with a public hearing, where community members expressed their support for the rezone application, which aims to change the zoning classification of a specific parcel from light industrial to regional center mixed use. Council members emphasized the importance of this rezone for economic development, highlighting its potential to attract local businesses and create jobs. Following the public comments, the council moved to approve the rezone application, adopting the hearing examiner's recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.

Next on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance 4962, which proposes to expand the eligibility for the low-income utility discount program to include households earning at or below 40% of the area median income (AMI). City Manager Heidi Baron Sternaway presented the ordinance, explaining that the change aims to ensure no customers are left behind in accessing utility assistance. This adjustment aligns with previous efforts to refine low-income programs, which had inadvertently excluded some individuals.

Baron Sternaway addressed questions from the previous meeting regarding the frequency of qualification for the program and its associated costs. She noted that participants are typically requalified every two years, although many may qualify more frequently due to other program criteria. The estimated cost of the program remains consistent at approximately $200,000, with no anticipated increase due to the proposed changes.

The council is expected to continue discussions on these matters in future meetings, with a focus on enhancing community support and economic growth in Ellensburg.