GOLDENDALE — The most colorful part of Klickitat County Commissioner meetings often comes when taking reports from Zak Kennedy, the lobbyist who represents Washington cities in Olympia. The St. Patrick’s Day session was no different. He described the failure of what he called "a beautiful bill" dealing with hospital charity cases from out of state.
“We don't want people from Oregon or Idaho, Montana, California, wherever, coming in and getting service out of our hospitals and then leaving, because we can't go after them,” he said. “Any other year, that bill would have passed, but there was a requirement in there that you had to show proof of residency — not even citizenship, just bring a utility bill in. With the current climate, they said, flat out, 'We're not gonna do this one. It's too close to immigration.'"
In response to a number of troublesome bills passing this year, Kennedy said he asked lobbyists who had been working in Olympia for a long time a single question: “How many bills have the counties actually run since you've been here?” In response, said a lobbyist who’s been on the job for 30 years told him he remembered fewer than 10, and probably closer to five.
“So, it's time to go on the offense,” Kennedy told commissioners. “They're playing chess. We gotta start playing, too. So I'm here to help. I'm really looking forward to what you guys come up with."
He suggested a workshop in April.
He also said he was surprised to note that King, Pierce and Snohomish counties were starting in small ways to vote more like smaller counties.
And Commissioner Todd Andrews summed up the feelings in counties east of the Cascades about the recent legislative session: "Probably the majority of gains for the counties and for citizens will be lawsuits against Olympia,” he said. “I think there's gonna be a lot of them this year."
Also in the morning workshop session, Public Works discussed upcoming bid openings, construction projects, a search for a new park host, and a fee waiver request for the White Salmon Library, which sparked a broader conversation about facility costs. Public Health reported on budget shortfalls in state funding, wildfire preparedness, and routine operations. Finally, Community Development provided updates on the accessory dwelling unit standards, the comprehensive plan outreach, and upcoming workshops on code enforcement and short-term rentals. The Planning Commission has set an April 20 hearing on additional dwelling units (ADUs) and hopes to have an ordinance ready for commissioners by May.
In the formal afternoon session, commissioners discussed the need for lawsuits against the state for unfunded mandates and provided a detailed summary of the recently concluded legislative session, highlighting key bills that passed and failed and their potential impact on the county. The meeting also included the opening of bids for an annual striping program and liquid asphalt supply. The commissioners concluded with a discussion of upcoming meetings, contract finalizations with local cities, and a request from Wishram for a speed limit reduction on Highway 14 through Wishram Heights.
Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:
• The appointment of Keith A. Hirshman to a 4-year term as an alternate to the White Salmon-Hood River Bridge Authority
• An agreement with the City of White Salmon for incarceration of city prisoners
• A public hearing to consider applications for classification as open space land for current use tax assessment.
• Advertising for a deputy prosecuting attorney I in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
• An interlocal radio system use and dispatch services agreement with the Washington Department of Correction.
• An agreement with the City of Bingen for incarceration of city prisoners.
• Waiver of fees for The Nazarene Church Back to School Bash with the understanding that they will set up and tear down for the event.
• A public meeting for approval of Short Plat, SPL 2024-25, Buffam.
• Waiver of fees for the Programs for Peaceful Living / WGAP for Child Abuse Preventions Awareness, April 1-15, with the understanding that they will prepare and clean up for the event.
• Waiver of fees for The American Legion Post No. 116 for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, with the understanding that they will return to the grounds in the same condition it was received in.
• Waiver of fees for The Program for Peaceful Living / WGAP requests for Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness, April 16-30, 2026, with the understanding that they will set up and tear down for their event.
• Publication of costs using county forces in 2025 on construction projects.
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