Klickitat County Commissioners note newsworthy presentations after technical difficulties keep reporter from attending virtually

Commissioner Lori Zoller: “They brought in bridge oversight — which bridges were crucial for implementing money that would be spent on those bridges, so that was interesting. We had their regular agenda about what was going on at the fairgrounds, including a wedding that was very successful. They are going to be advertising winter riding very quickly so people can sign up to pay to use the arena at the fairgrounds.”

Chair Ron Ihrig: “The first thing that came to my mind, of course, is the fairgrounds, where the county applied for three grants to the Department of Agriculture — $250,000 to replace the roof on the Cameron barn. The second to replace or remodel the restrooms under the grandstands, and the third was for the poultry building to replace the siding that’s deteriorating.”

Ihrig was referring to the Bruce Cameron Livestock Barn at the fairgrounds.

Commissioner Todd Andrews had a different perspective: “Probably the main thing for me was an executive session with human resources, because we’re currently going through negotiations. This is my first union negotiation, so how you deal with that on one side — dealing with the budget for the county — but then also, you’re taking care of county employees and making sure they have what’s best for their needs.”

We thank the commissioners for their reporting.

In the formal afternoon session, commissioners noted the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport business park expansion, phase two, is 85% complete, and that the county is looking to fill a pair of openings on the Development Disability Advisory Board, which covers Klickitat and Skamania counties. The meetings are hybrid, allowing for Zoom participation.

Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• An operating grant agreement between WSDOT and KCSS through June 30, 2027 biennium for dial-a-ride services in Klickitat County.

• An operating grant agreement between KCSS and WSDOT through June 30, 2027, for operating Mt. Adams Express fixed route transit service for Klickitat County.

• Amendment No. 1 to contract between AAADSW and KCSS for Medicaid case management Service.

• Request to schedule a public meeting for consideration of approval of short plat, SPL 2023-16, Kreps.

• Request to schedule a public meeting for consideration of approval of short plat, SPL 2024-36, Riggleman.

• Renewal contract agreement between Klickitat County and 1st Class Office Solutions, LLC to provide periodic preventative maintenance inspections and diagnostics checks on the county-wide used mail machine.