GOLDENDALE — It was a fairly quiet April 14 meeting of the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners, despite statewide attention from opponents of Senate Bill 6346 — the so-called “millionaire’s tax” — who decided to file their lawsuit against the law in Klickitat County Superior Court.
In the commission’s morning workshop session, Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Cranston reassured commissioners that her office was not involved in the lawsuit, nor was the county a named party in two separate lawsuits challenging the “sheriff’s bill” that would allow a committee appointed by the governor to remove elected sheriffs. Former state Attorney General Rob McKenna is representing the plaintiffs.
In the formal afternoon session, commissioners proclaimed April 19-26 as National Volunteers Week. Commissioner Todd Andrews read the proclamation, which said, in part: “Each and every day, volunteers make a difference in our libraries, neighborhoods, schools, churches, faith-based organizations, community and civic groups and government agencies. Volunteers are an invaluable resource that are at the heart and soul of our cities, counties, and nation.”
The main event of the afternoon was the update from Klickitat County EMS District No. 1 Chief Nate Herbeck about ambulance service in the county. Herbeck took over as chief in November 2024 and became permanent chief in January 2025.
“We are consistently busy,” he said. “As you know, we have a large county. We ran 2,756 calls last year. They range anywhere from Mount Adams to out past Roosevelt, Glenwood. So, we have a significant response time.” At the beginning of 2025, he said, the district added what he called “a half car or a day car.” It’s not specifically a transfer car, but it helps.
“As long as it doesn’t rain, it takes five hours to go from KVH, pick up the patient, go to Portland, drop off the patient and come back. It’s a five-hour trip, and in bad weather, you’re looking at six to eight hours,” Herbeck said. “So, it helps significantly, because we can have the day car take the first transfer, then we still have three ambulances in service.”
He noted the district worked to spread transfers out through the day to maintain an active 911 service as much as possible. And, unlike many agencies or departments, Herbeck said, the district is at full staff, with 22 full-time and 10 part-time EMTs and paramedics.
“I’ve worked extremely hard to get our staffing up to par,” he said. “We have all of our spots filled. It’s been that way for about six months. I think the entire district is moving in the right direction. I’m happy for where we’re at and happy with our employees. They work hard.”
Following the massive 20-item consent agenda the previous week, this time commissioners approved just four items:
• Awarding 2026 Historical Preservation Grant funds.
• Contract and contract bonds for the 2026 annual striping program, RN 642-26.
• A contract amendment to the Klickitat County Health Department Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program.
• Amendment No. 9 to the Carelon Behavioral Health participation agreement.
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