News Flash

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the Pasco community, however, there are a number of resources available so you have the latest news and information.  The City recommends the following sources for local, state, and federal information on the virus and response efforts:

• Benton-Franklin Health District
• Franklin County Emergency Management
• Pasco School District
• Washington State Department of Health
  •   Sitio de BienestarWA en Español del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington
• Resource List for residents and businesses from the State of Washington
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Here are some steps that you and your family can do to help (from the Washington State Department of Health):

• Stay six feet away from others not in your immediate household.
• Wear a mask in public and when you can’t stay six feet away.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Stay home as much as possible. 
• If you feel symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. 

The City is also doing its part to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19: 

• The City of Pasco declared an emergency due to the COVID-19 situation on March 16, 2020; per the Pasco Municipal Code, Mayor Saul Martinez can declare an emergency with ratification of the full City Council. What an emergency declaration mainly does is allow the City to ask for outside assistance, if needed, for financial reimbursement or other needs from state and federal agencies, and allow the City to fast-track procurement for services and supplies related to the current situation. Actions taken by the Mayor under the declaration must be ratified by the full Council. 
• Mayor Martinez signed three emergency declarations to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the Pasco community. The orders are:
  • Order 2020-001 provides for a variance in the City’s sign code to allow restaurants more use of signs, including sandwich boards and banners, to advertise take-out or delivery services. Interested businesses can call Community Development for more information at (509) 545-3441.
  • Order 2020-002 enacts a temporary moratorium on utility service shut-offs and late fees for City of Pasco customers during this emergency. However, customers are urged to call Customer Service at (509) 545-3448 to set-up a payment plan if they are having financial difficulties or for more information.
  • An emergency order that will give Pasco restaurants flexibility in outdoor seating.
• Out of an abundance of caution and following guidelines from federal authorities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the City of Pasco has closed several City facilities to the public, including City Hall, starting March 23, 2020. 

  • However, despite these facility closures to the public, the City is committed to delivering services with the least impact as possible. Business will be conducted primarily over the telephone and online. In-person appointments may be scheduled if necessary, and will adhere to best social distancing and sanitary practices. Some of the most affected departments include:

    • Customer Service/Utility Billing: The City strongly encourages customers to place City utility payments in the drop box located in front of City Hall, 525 N. 3^rd Avenue, or at the HAPO Center (TRAC). Information for business and pet licenses and utilities is online at or over the phone at (509) 545-3488.

  • Planning/Engineering: Most submittals regarding planning, building, and engineering can be made electronically. Building and Right-of-Way inspections can be requested over the phone at (509) 543-5726 or online. For questions regarding general land use, engineering, and building please call (509) 543-5726 or go online. A drop box will be made available at the front of the City Hall for submittals. To make special arrangements, please contact (509) 543-5726.
• Phone numbers for various City services include:
• Customer Service/Utility Billing: (509) 545-3488
• Permits, Building/Engineering Inspection Services, Development Services, and Licensing information: (509) 543-5726
• Parks and Recreation: (509) 545-3456
• Municipal Court: (509) 545-3491
• City View Cemetery: (509) 545-3460
• Public Records Request/Claims for Damages: (509) 544-3096
• Police non-emergency assistance: (509) 545-3421 (Business Hours); After hours (509) 628-0333
• Non-emergency fire assistance: (509) 628-0333
• Other questions? Call City Hall: (509) 545-3488

In an event of an emergency, please call 911.

The full list of City facilities closed or open to the public:

• Pasco City Council Meetings occur as scheduled. Residents are asked to use online/TV viewing, via Facebook or YouTube, or PSC-TV Channel 191 on Spectrum Cable, to watch City Council meetings. Public comment during the meetings is limited to agenda items only; sign up to speak here. Comments and questions to the Council can be submitted online via the City’s website.
  
  
• The Pasco Municipal Court has announced a number of changes due to COVID-19; please see the Court’s COVID-19 page for more information.

The City has implemented a Continuation of Operations (COOP) plans to assure that vital City functions continue without interruption.