Enterprise looks at annexing unincorporated properties

Enterprise is considering annexing unincorporated properties adjacent to the city line into the city limits.

The City Council started the annexation process by passing a resolution at its meeting Monday night at city hall.

City Administrator Michele Young said the idea has been discussed for several years and recently became a front-burner topic. A public hearing will be scheduled this spring although, according to an Oregon Revised Statute, consent of property owners is not required.

The properties considered for annexation are along Park Street, Golf Course Road and Silver Street. Young said Wallowa County would like the city to take over road maintenance in this area. Property owners in the affected area receive city water and sewer services, but do not pay city taxes, said Young.

In other business, the council gave the final approval for Sun Storage of Enterprise to install solar panels at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project must be completed by April 14 to qualify for a program sponsored by Pacific Power and Light.

Sun Storage submitted a proposal to the council Feb. 13. A committee was appointed by Mayor Steve Lear to review the proposal.

With some amendments the committee recommended the city approve the proposal at a special meeting held Feb. 27. Sun Storage agreed to the city’s additional requirements and a final vote allowed the project to start on Tuesday.

The power generated by the solar panels will run the wastewater treatment plant and the residual electricity will be sold to Pacific Power and Light. The net benefit to the city will be an approximate savings of $3,000 a year.

Preparing for the summer season, a long list of applications was presented for grants from the city’s opportunity fund supported by its motel tax. Funding requests for everything from the farmers market, concerts, educational fairs and a lawn mower for the golf course were submitted.

The council will consider the requests and vote on each at their next meeting, April 9.

Young announced that the city’s new website has gone “live” and invited the public to visit the site and vote on their favorite photograph, which will be used as the site’s main picture.

The city’s website address is www.enterpriseoregon.org. 

Young is looking for feedback as to how easy and useful the site is.

Young also asked for volunteers to serve on the city’s budget committee. If interested, contact her at 541-426-4196.