BINGEN — Public comment on the required Critical Areas Ordinance update began Bingen City Council’s Oct. 7 meeting. The update would change the buffer zone around Jewett Creek from 100 to 195 feet.
Two property owners who would be affected testified that it would make their property virtually unbuildable. The council is still weighing how to mitigate this requirement: asking for a variance for the entire update, or leaving that to the residents affected, who would apply to the city for a variance when planning to build. In either case, the council acknowledges that the requirement must be addressed.
Sargent Garique Clifford was on hand to give a policing update, and provided testimony for the first public hearing of the evening as well. The council continued its ongoing public hearing on the state’s offer of a 0.1% Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax, which can be enacted without voter approval. The council, at the urging of Councilor Michael Stahl, was hesitant to enact the tax without public input. If enacted, the tax can be used for criminal justice programs, including jail costs and preventive programs.
Bingen voters overwhelmingly approved an identical measure in August, which increased the sales tax to 7.6% and is set to take effect in January 2026. Even with another 0.1% bump, Bingen’s rate would be among the lowest in the state.
The City’s costs for jail services are expected to increase over $40,000 this year, and the tax would cover that increase. One resident testified in favor of enacting the tax, but Clifford shared reservations. The tax option has requirements and mandates that could create “an undue hardship on the police department,” he said. He referenced the additional training and audit mandates, which will incur additional costs.
Mayor Catherine Kiewit and City Administrator Krista Loney pointed out that the council could opt in to apply the tax, negotiate the requirements, then opt out if needed. The council ultimately decided to postpone levying the tax until more information was provided, or until the requirements were lightened.
Next, council opted to postpone its discussion of trees needed for Maple Street, and moved on to Loney’s project status updates. The 2024 federal audit is on track to wrap up by October. Bingen is also waiting on the Washington Department of Transportation to review its plans for the railroad crossing at Highway 14. And the grant funding has been received for the planning and design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades.
Nov. 4 election
The Bingen City Council is facing a number of seat changes. In the upcoming election, Kelsey Ramsey and Clinton L. Deo will vie for the mayor’s seat; Maya Deo and Eric Schroder will face off for Council seat 4; and Quinton Deo and Erika Almskaar will compete for Council seat 5. Craig Trummel will retain seat 2, and Dale Grinstead-Mayle is uncontested for seat 3. Ramsey and Grinstead-Mayle were both observing in person at this week’s meeting.
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