Jail costs, funding measures considered

BINGEN — The Bingen City Council, on the heels of a successful sales tax ballot measure, grappled with a second fundraising opportunity at its Sept. 16 meeting.

The Washington State Legislature recently enacted HB 2015, which allows cities to incur a 0.1% sales tax for criminal justice, including jail costs. After paying $7,800 for jail costs last year, the city was informed that its expected jail invoice would be more like $50,000 based on a projection from Klickitat County Corrections Director Bill Frantz.

Frantz said that the contract previously offered to Bingen does not accurately reflect the city’s incurred “prisoner-days” (Columbia Gorge News, Aug. 29). If enacted, this state-sanctioned sales tax would allow for an additional $45,000 in revenue, which would effectively close that funding gap.

Hesitation came from Councilor Michael Stahl, who said, “I would rather that all tax increases be voter-approved.” Other councilors countered that the very small increase of .01% passed in August was heavily favored with 83% of residents voting for it. Councilors also received feedback prior to that measure suggesting a greater tax increase.

Mayor Catherine Kiewit reminded the group that Bingen currently has the lowest sales tax of any city in Washington; this increase might put them at the second lowest. Timing is an issue, as the council must move quickly to begin assessing the state-sanctioned tax in January.

The city must also collaborate with the city of White Salmon, with which Bingen shares a police force. Both cities must agree to submit the relevant paperwork. The council was anxious to get feedback from Bingen residents on assessing this funding option.

Projects update

City council also held a public hearing to discuss the required Critical Areas Ordinance updates. The focus of the discussion was the change of buffer zone around Jewett Creek from 100 to 195 feet. This would make building on several creek-adjacent properties virtually impossible.

The council weighed asking the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for a variance for the entire plan, or leaving that to the residents affected, who would apply to the city for a variance when planning to build. The group asked City Administrator Krista Loney to gather more specific information for a future decision.

Loney’s Project Status Report described a plethora of infrastructure work in progress. The East Steuben Waterline Replacement of Sections 2 and 3 is going out for bids. The Stormwater Plan is awaiting a contract, but relies upon the Critical Areas Update mentioned earlier.

The USDA grant-funded bus shelters have all been installed. The plans for the railroad crossing at Highway 14 is being reviewed by the Washington Department of Transportation. And the funding has been awarded for the improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 2024 audit has been completed, and the city’s accounting met all goals.

Mayoral candidate Kelsey Ramsey once again appeared in person to observe the council’s process.

The next meeting of the Bingen City Council is set for Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.