West Richland Complex Information & Comments Form
In 2021, Benton REA purchased 17 acres of land for future development. The land is located in West Richland on Cooperative Way, just off Keene Road.
Aging facilities require improvements in both West Richland and Prosser.
- Increase costs to address maintenance and repair issues
- Current HVAC failing - increased frequency of service calls and cost
- Electrical issues causing internal loss of power, overloading circuits
- Run down facilities due to age and increased traffic
All members benefit from future property improvements.
- West Richland complex results in several properties in Prosser and West Richland that are surplus and can be sold
- District office and crew will remain in the Prosser area to serve members closer to it
- Will consolidate district office facilities and eliminate crews stopping at 2-4 locations to get material before they leave for the outage or job site
- Operational efficiencies result in more work time, faster response time = better service
- Improves service to everyone, not just those closer to West Richland
All comments will be posted on this site for members to view. Please refrain from using profane language. All comments will be reviewed for such language prior to posting.
- Why now when Labor & materials are very expensive? It should be delayed until inflation and building materials have stabilized.
- If rates are increased, how much will our base rates and utilities increase? Remember not only this but groceries, house payments, schools,
etc. have to be paid, and last the members that are on fixed incomes. The members start out well able to cover these things, but on fixed
incomes with property taxes eating away at savings it is a heavy burden to bare.
- I am asking as a member in good standing who has supported our REA Cooperative for many years to delay until a better time to start the
higher expenses.