A sendoff, finalized budget and legislative priorities for council

WHITE SALMON — City councilors wrapped up end-of-year business on Dec. 17, ratifying the 2026 budget, setting their legislative priorities for Olympia’s upcoming short session and celebrating Councilor Jason Hartmann at his final meeting.

Elected first in 2018, Hartmann served two full terms on council, acting as mayor pro tempore the past five years while also participating in several other local bodies: the personnel and finance committee, city operations committee and West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority. Resident Doug Rainbolt is set to assume his chair in January.

“I’m most humbly honored and want to show my respect for the staff of the City of White Salmon,” said Hartmann. “I’m so impressed every day with how capable, how caring you all are and how hard working you are, and it has been an honor for me to do just a little part to support your work — because you are the backbone of this city.

“I’d like to thank the voters of White Salmon for trusting me to sit in the seat twice. Well, I guess once was unopposed, but still for voting for me,” he continued. “And a huge thanks to Mayor Keethler, who I think just put such incredible touches on the city. I’ve lived here for over 20 years, and I feel like White Salmon is in the best position it’s ever been in.”

Council approved a resolution honoring Hartmann, and Keethler presented him with flowers and a commemorative award.

Then, councilors unanimously signed off on the city’s $14.6 million budget for next year with little discussion. Not much changed compared to the prior meeting, as previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, except updated figures reflecting the new salary matrix for city employees, which saw a 4% cost of living adjustment across the board, that was agreed upon during collective bargaining.

Lastly, to ensure everybody’s on the same page come Jan. 12, council deliberated on the state legislative priorities proposed by Keethler. Those are as follows:

• Commit $60 million in wildfire preparedness and response funding for Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, keeping in line with the totals lawmakers promised in House Bill 1168.

• Fund the State Route 141 Complete Streets Project and repaving. Pre-design work is finished, but the project has delayed since 2020.

• Support Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing face masks during public interactions.

• Refine the compliance and administrative requirements in House Bill 2015 so that rural law enforcement agencies with limited capacity can more easily access funding.

• Modernize local revenue tools, particularly the 1% annual property tax cap, so small towns can continue to deliver services under inflationary and other pressures.

Council accepted Keethler’s recommendations unanimously and will meet next in the new year on Jan. 7.

“The last six years, you’ve been the rock through a lot of different formulations of the council,” Councilor David Lindley said of Hartmann in closing. “You’ve come prepared, and you seem to have a very clear view of the role of council. You adhere to that, and I respect that, so, well done.”