Roy receives $1.5M in state funding for water well improvements

The City of Roy received big news from its state representatives during a council meeting on Monday, June 9, when Andrew Barkis and Matt Marshall of Washington’s 2nd Legislative District announced over $1.5 million in funding for improvements to the city’s well system and local park.

The allocated money is part of the state’s capital budget signed into law this spring.
Barkis, the ranking Republican member on the House Transportation Committee, began his presentation to the council by apologizing for an “oversight” that removed $100,000 in state funds intended for the planned crosswalk across state Route 507 in Roy.

“A little piece on there with $100,000, I think it was, kind of got lost in the shuffle with a $15 billion (transportation) budget,” Barkis said, adding that it was the result of “almost a clerical error.” Barkis said he couldn’t believe it when he received a call inquiring about the missing funds.

Before Barkis spoke, Acting City Clerk-Treasurer Beth King informed the council of a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding workshop she attended on May 19. In that workshop, King discovered that the City of Roy is eligible and encouraged to apply for a construction grant for the planned crosswalk and flashing beacon to be completed by spring of 2026.

The city is also eligible to apply for funding for sidewalk repairs along the entire length of Route 507 in town. King said she was encouraged to submit the requests for funding as soon as possible. She added that because plans are already in the construction stage, the city’s position for grants is much stronger than those of other cities.

“We’re ready to go for construction, we’re done with the design,” King said. “We’re done, pretty much all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed.”

Funding is also available for a potential roundabout, according to King. On that note, Mayor Kimber Ivy told the council to start brainstorming ways to mitigate traffic on state Route 507.

Rep. Barkis told the council to keep him updated on the grant process with TIB, but assured members that state funding would be coming for the crosswalk construction, saying, “I’ve already talked to people and it’s already flagged for the supplemental (budget).”

A motion by the council was later made and unanimously approved for Skillings, the city’s contracted engineering firm, to complete the TIB application for the crosswalk construction funding.

In addition to the crosswalk, Barkis said that he and Rep. Marshall made Roy a focus for the 2nd District to help secure critical state assistance for infrastructure projects like the city’s water well system.

During the 2025 legislative session, the two representatives succeeded.

“We were able to secure $1.5 million for the City of Roy to continue the process of working on that important well project,” Barkis said.

The $1.5 million in new appropriations is listed in the 2025-27 capital budget as “City of Roy Well Improvements.”

Marshall also helped secure $155,000 in capital funds for renovations to the city’s park.

“I think if you actually compare the amount of money that came into the 2nd District and into Roy, we did better than a lot of the districts further north into the more populated areas where they historically have done a lot better than we do,” Marshall said.

Mayor Ivy thanked both state representatives and their staff for their help during the application process. Speaking during her mayor’s report, Ivy said that funds for the well improvements can go towards construction of the plans that include water filtration and the reservoir.

In related news, Ryan Fuller, the city’s public works director, said that he was gathering a “want list” for items to add to, or improve, the playground at the park. He invited council members to send him input and suggestions.

Fuller said the public works department is also moving forward with a walking bridge at the park, but is waiting for water levels to go down in the creek bed so certain footings can be changed.

The public works director called for cleaning of the old library, which is currently being used as the public works storage shed, saying the mold buildup is reaching a point where it could be considered hazardous, especially as it continues to add weight to the roof. He later added that he’d love to find a way to “fully restore” the historic building.

According to Fuller, Pierce County employees have begun brush cleanup and will be back within the next couple weeks to fill various potholes and finish prepping for a chip seal pavement surface treatment.

During the new business portion of the meeting, the council approved the application for a 4th of July parade hosted by Lacamas Community Center. Councilmember Jim Rotondo was the lone naysayer, saying he wants the City of Roy to “take it back.” After the vote, the mayor and council members discussed the possibility of partnering with Lacamas for future parades.

The next Roy City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m.