ECHO, Ore.-Mike Gonzalez, Echo’s new City Manager, has been on the job about four months and is excited for the potential for economic development in the community of about 700 residents.
Gonzalez previously served as City Manager of both Pasco and Sunnyside in Washington and brings government experience and an economic background to the Echo City Manager’s Office.
“It’s really the people,” Gonzalez said, of what brought him to Echo. “The community is very welcoming. I feel comfortable and supported here.”
Gonzalez has a small staff, which means the new City Manager may be found checking out books to customers in the Echo Library, which is also housed in City Hall, or processing utility payments for residents when the need arises.
“This is a very hands-on job, I sometimes feel like I wear 10 hats here,” said Gonzalez, who has had to adjust from a large staff to an office where he sometimes takes the garbage out himself. “I’m enjoying it, though, and the City Council and community have been positive.”
Some of the areas Gonzalez is focusing on as he settles into his new role include economic development, community engagement, and promoting the City of Echo.
Economic Development and infrastructure
With 250 acres of recently rezoned land near Interstate 84, Gonzalez hopes to prioritize the potential for economic development in Echo.
The area, known as the Madison Project, could be developed to support industrial, commercial, and residential uses, as well as hotels and a gas station.
While Echo recently upgraded its water system, including an 800,000-gallon reservoir, other areas of infrastructure need to be addressed, especially the City’s wastewater system, which is currently at about 95 percent capacity, according to Gonzalez.
“Development pays for development, but you can’t build homes without sewer capacity,” said Gonzalez.
The I-84 overpass near Echo may also need to be improved for large-scale growth in the area to occur, something the Oregon Department of Transportation wants the City of Echo to pay for.
According to Gonzalez, work on the overpass could cost between $15 and $30 million, so the City of Echo is working with state and national legislators, including Rep. Bobby Levy, Sen. Jeff Merkley and others to secure economic development grants and capital improvement funding.
Growing pains
About half the residents of Echo support growth, while the other half hope to keep things as they are, according to Gonzalez
“When the rubber meets the road, if we can’t develop economically, where are we going to cut?” said Gonzalez. “Our police contract went up, health insurance went up, everything keeps getting more expensive, but our revenues are flat.”
Economic development will create a stream of increased property tax revenue into the city, according to Gonzalez, with the Madison Project potentially generating $200,000 to $250,000 yearly that would help fund city operations and services, such as roads and sewers.
“If we do nothing, we’re going to have tough decisions to make in the next 5-10 years as our expenditures outpace what we’re bringing in,” said Gonzalez.
For Gonzalez, Echo’s economic future should be charted by a path of “smart growth,” a series of steps or phases to manage growth, while confronting economic realities and addressing the concerns of residents worried about rapid growth.
Community engagement and communication
With his city administration experience and journalism background, Gonzalez feels that one of his strengths is getting the messaging out about the importance of economic development, and he’s looking forward to working with the residents of Echo.
“It’s about engaging with the community and letting them know what’s happening, ensuring that everyone who wants to be involved in the conversation is part of it,” said Gonzalez.
With an open-door policy, Gonzalez plans to be an accessible City Manager, as well as increase communication and coordination with Echo residents through an online newsletter that he is also considering printing, and by posting more on the Echo blog.
“You learn priorities with experience,” said Gonzalez, who also plans to evaluate and create processes to increase efficiency in his new role. “No matter how large or small the city, the issues are usually the same.”
“A gem of a town”
One of the things Gonzalez is most excited about is marketing the City of Echo, what he considers the fun part of his job, letting people know about the history, attractions, and amenities available.
According to Gonzalez, a full day can be spent in Echo, beginning with the “best omelet” at the H&P Café, followed by a round of golf at the City’s nine-hole municipal course, and then lunch at Nic’s Corner Bistro, before taking in some Oregon Trail history at Fort Henrietta Park and Echo Meadows, where original covered wagon ruts are still visible.
A day in Echo can be capped off with some wine tasting at Sno Road Winery or Echo Ridge Cellars, and stays can even be extended by booking an Airbnb in the area.
“Echo’s a gem of a town,” said Gonzalez. “Hopefully we keep that small town feel and style and become a quaint destination.”
