Endicott gets report on utility tax option

Endicott town council is considering implementing a utility tax on electricity/gas through Avista. Paul Kimmell, Avista's regional business manager, attended a meeting April 18 to explain what the tax would mean for residents.

“We haven't got a time frame or any decision about what we would use it for,” stated Endicott Mayor Steve Salzman. “We wanted this meeting to find out more about it as it is new to all of us at city hall as well as the community.”

Kimmell pointed out many towns use utility taxes for revenue. For small towns with a stagnant tax base, it is one of few options. Sometimes th...