Klickitat County Commissioners: Competing 'Kings' rallies, how to rent the courthouse lawn, and new code requirements

"The biggest benefit, I think, is communication with customers,” said Planning Director Scott Edelman. “Applicants will be able to apply for permits online, to go online to check the status of their permit, or to find out when their permit is expiring ... I think there's going to be a lot of ways that this will be beneficial, rather than somebody having to call in and say, 'Hey, what's going on with my permit?'"

During the morning workshop session, Public Works Director Jeff Hunter told commissioners he was concerned about the potential for problems on Saturday the 28th, with two competing “No Kings” demonstrations near the courthouse:

“One is on the courthouse lawn, and that one is, ‘Jesus is my king. There are no other kings.’ That one paid the permit fee and is staying on there ... The next one is called No Kings ... And it's on the sidewalk, so we didn't issue a permit or anything because technically the sidewalk's not ours.”

He said the commission should have a workshop on renting the courthouse lawn, because the county had received a request to hold a family reunion on the lawn. 

“We told the people at the family reunion, ‘If you use the courthouse lawn, you can't make it solely for you. This is a different venue than what we have at the fairgrounds. Fairgrounds, you rent the fairgrounds, it's yours. This is the county seat.’"

Building Director Lynn Ward returned from a conference with building directors from other states, and she shared the impression the professionals from elsewhere had about Washington's energy policy: "They were from like Colorado, Utah,” she said. “They were like, 'Washington energy code is insane.' And they said, 'If we were asked to teach that class, we wouldn't have gotten on the airplane.'"

She warned of increased problems to come with the latest statewide building code standards set to go into effect in 2027.

"Next year when we adopt the 2024 code, we will have no choice but to fully enforce the energy code portion, because they are going to start auditing, and if there is a jurisdiction is not following it, they may assess fines," she said.

The new code carries requirements that will increase costs, including mandated use of R-60 installation in attics, which is 17- to 22-inches thick. She said some small attics just don't have the needed space, and some groups claim that too much insulation can impede air circulation and lead to mold. 

And drivers should be aware that a couple roads in the county will have new lower speed limits, following a public hearing at the meet. Klickitat County Engineer Seth Scarola said the new lower limits will apply to all of Counts Road and Hill Road from Butts Road to Pine Forest Road. Each is roughly 2.3 miles long. Neither are posted now, but new signs will designate a 35 miles per hour limit.

Under the consent agenda, commissioners improved: 

• A public meeting to consider recommended amendments to ADU Ordinance.

• White Salmon Library fee waiver for the Dallesport Community Center.

• Updated Fairgrounds Licensing Agreement terms and regulations.

• Concurrence to Award Bid - 2026 Liquid Asphalt Purchase.

• Execution of the Contract Retainage Bond for the CGCC AMT Facility Project.

• Local agency agreement for the Inlaid Plastic Pavement Markings Project, CRP 397.

• Local agency federal aid project prospectus for the inlaid plastic pavement markings project, CRP 397.

• Local agency federal aid project prospectus for the White Plastic Edgelines Project,CRP 396.

• Local Agency Agreement for the White Plastic Edgelines Project, CRP 396.

• Concurrence to Award Bid - 2026 Annual Striping Contract RN 642-26.

• Ordinance to update the Planning Department Fee Schedule.

• Klickitat Lead Entity Citizens Review Committee Reappointment.

• Klickitat Lead Entity Technical Committee Appointment.

• Designation of the Goldendale Sentinel newspaper as the official Klickitat County newspaper.