The Issues That Matter
Housing & Affordability
Ending Street Homelessness
Reform of the Tri-City Animal Shelter
It’s Your City.
Expect More.
Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales
Leo Perales is your District 3 Councilman for the great city of Pasco.
Its Your City. Expect More.
Statement on Recent Discussions Regarding Cesar Chavez
I’ve shared the attached statement regarding recent allegations and renewed conversations surrounding Cesar Chavez.
As your Pasco City Councilmember, I believe transparency matters—l, especially when new information comes forward that deserves thoughtful consideration.
I want to be clear: the comments and opinions expressed in this statement are my own and do not represent the official position of the City of Pasco.
At the same time, I continue to recognize the lasting impact of the farmworker movement and the important work of the United Farm Workers, whose efforts helped improve the lives of many families, including here in our community.
These conversations aren’t always easy but they are necessary. We owe it to our community to approach them with honesty, fairness, and a commitment to understanding the full picture.
I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and representing you with integrity.
— Leo Perales
Pasco City Councilmember, District 3
It’s your city. Expect more.
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Here’s the Spanish version to pair with your post:
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Declaración sobre las recientes discusiones sobre César Chávez
He compartido la declaración adjunta sobre las recientes acusaciones y conversaciones en torno a Cesar Chavez.
Como su Concejal de la Ciudad de Pasco, creo que la transparencia es fundamental—especialmente cuando surge nueva información que merece una consideración cuidadosa.
Quiero ser claro: los comentarios y opiniones expresados en esta declaración son míos y no representan la postura oficial de la Ciudad de Pasco.
Al mismo tiempo, continúo reconociendo el impacto duradero del movimiento de trabajadores agrícolas y la importante labor de la United Farm Workers, cuyos esfuerzos ayudaron a mejorar la vida de muchas familias, incluyendo aquí en nuestra comunidad.
Estas conversaciones no siempre son fáciles—pero son necesarias. Le debemos a nuestra comunidad abordarlas con honestidad, equidad y un compromiso de entender el panorama completo.
Sigo comprometido con la transparencia, la rendición de cuentas y con representarlos con integridad.
— Leo Perales
Concejal de la Ciudad de Pasco, Distrito 3
Es tu ciudad. Exige más.
Leo, why even bring it up? Seriously why clicks?
I’m not trying to cause an issue, but if these comments don’t represent your position on the council, then I don’t think letterhead or signature should include a nod to your position, either. If you’re speaking as a citizen, then you need to use your personal account.
Transparency matters.
There’s a perception out there that City Councilmembers are paid large salaries. I want to share what that actually looks like.
For this pay period, my net pay for serving on the Pasco City Council was $382.30.
I’m grateful for the compensation but I want to be clear: I don’t do this for the money.
I do this for my community.
I do it for the families trying to get ahead, for our kids, for our neighborhoods, and for the future of Pasco. The hours, the meetings, the calls, the events, it all comes with the responsibility of representing you, and that’s something I take seriously.
This is about transparency and making sure you know what public service at the local level really looks like.
I’m proud to serve.
It’s your city. Expect more.
— Leo Perales
Pasco City Councilmember, District 3
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La transparencia importa.
Existe la percepción de que los miembros del Concejo Municipal reciben salarios altos. Quiero compartir cómo se ve esto en realidad.
Para este período de pago, mi ingreso neto por servir en el Concejo Municipal de Pasco fue de $382.30.
Estoy agradecido por la compensación, pero quiero ser claro: no hago esto por el dinero.
Lo hago por mi comunidad.
Lo hago por las familias que están saliendo adelante, por nuestros hijos, por nuestros vecindarios y por el futuro de Pasco. Las horas, las reuniones, las llamadas y los eventos conllevan la responsabilidad de representarlos, y eso es algo que tomo muy en serio.
Esto es sobre transparencia y asegurarme de que sepan cómo es realmente el servicio público a nivel local.
Estoy orgulloso de servir.
Es tu ciudad. Exige más.
— Leo Perales
Concejal de la Ciudad de Pasco, Distrito 3
But I will say this a lot of the comments are correct. We average about three hours at city council meetings at four times a month so if I base the paycheck off of that, then the hourly rate is around 42 bucks an hour, which is pretty good compared to the hourly minimum wage rate.
It’s not the easily tracked money that we are referring to councilman
What about your benefits?
> $50/hr is niiiiice!!
You worked 10 hours and got paid 500$ before taxes. Don't try and create a narrative like you work your ass off. You did nothing and still got paid.
$51 an hours to do fuck all
Thank you for serving our community.
so that 51.40 an hour. nice flex
$55.79 per hour to the taxpayer
very small stipend I would call it for what you do. I promise you there are not people lined up to do your job. I know I wont do it for $57 an hour.
You work is much appreciated, and know damn well that it's a lot more work than the Monday meetings. Super greatful for your service and dedication! 👏👏
Appreciate you my dude! Keep up The good work..
For 10 hours of work, that’s not bad
You make 51.40 an hour.. some of us out here are making 17$ an hour and working 30 hours and coming out to the same amount. It’s not the same lol.
tough job, appreciate all you do!
I appreciate your willingness to serve. Thanks, Leo!
Cover your address and the bank info at the bottom.
Not a very large stipend for the effort and resources it appears you contribute to helping out Pasco.
Thank you for sharing. This as transparent as it can get community.
And all this time, I thought you were in it for the riches! 😃 Not really. Keep up the good work 
Leo - thank you. Your efforts are a labor of love and not the greed for gold. 🙏
You receive $1115 monthly. This has been in affect since 1/1/2020
I wish you would have blanked out your address. But I guess it is probably likely people could find it out anyway.
Tf lol
BREAKING
Pasco Retail Sales Analysis
Pasco’s retail data shows a split trend between growth and performance.
The city saw an increase in taxable retail units from 12,888 to 13,596—a +5.5% gain. This indicates continued business activity, development, and expansion within the city.
However, total taxable retail sales declined from $663.7M to $626.5M, a loss of $37.2M (-5.6%).
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What the Data Indicates
1. More Businesses, Less Spending per Business
With more taxable units but lower total sales, the data suggests:
• Revenue is being spread across more businesses
• Average sales per business are decreasing
Estimated sales per unit:
• 2024: ~$51,500 per unit
• 2025: ~$46,100 per unit
➡️ ~10.5% drop in sales per unit
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2. Consumer Spending is Softening
Even with growth in activity, the decline in total sales points to:
• Reduced consumer spending
• More price sensitivity or shifting purchasing behavior
• Possible impact from inflation or economic tightening
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3. Growth is Not Translating to Revenue (Yet)
Pasco is clearly adding capacity (businesses, rooftops, activity), but:
• That growth is not yet converting into higher retail output
• New businesses may still be stabilizing or competing for the same dollars
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Bottom Line
Pasco is experiencing structural growth but economic output is lagging behind that growth.
• Positive: More businesses, expansion, increased activity
• Concern: Lower total spending and declining productivity per business
This is a classic case of growing supply without proportional demand growth.
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.This 👆
The dollar isn’t stretching like it used to. Families are feeling the crunch. Add a housing shortage ti that: Rents and utilities are increasing, and the only big box stores we have are Lowe’s and Walmart. That’s not enough to keep Pasco residents shopping in Franklin County.
Pasco did chase the businesses away. It was the city’s representative’s arrogance and indifference to the role that businesses plays in the City’s overall funding picture.
Too bad Pasco agreed to the water park; Pasco raised taxes to make it happen & nobody wants to pay the extra taxes. Also too bad for us Costco was chased away. 🤢
Here’s an eye opener, single largest urban center in Franklin County is Pasco. Benton county has several urban centers generating retail sales. So what does this mean? It means that in order generate more revenue, Pasco needs to: 1. Be business friendly 2. Staff adopt a can-do attitude and help businesses trying to come into businesses. Especially with permitting and how to meet city requirements. Remember, a majority of new businesses are small mom and pop entrepreneurs who are not city rules savvy or has the deep pockets of the large corporations 3. Help and assist. 4. Remember city staff payroll depends on the taxes that these businesses pay
Costco would have been nice. Since that shipped sailed how about trader Joe's or winco or both? Pasco needs businesses
Great explanation
Nice to see they fixed that infographic!
Trickle down effect from what our terrible governor and his chronies are doing to our great State! Don’t be like BoB City of Pasco Government
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
It's your city.
Expect more.
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