New Bingen City Council settles into business

BINGEN — For the first time in memory, a Columbia High School student opened the Bingen City Council meeting on Jan. 20 with public comment.

Nathen Breedlove offered an articulate and impassioned speech about federal immigration actions, asking for respect, compassion, and dignity for all people. He cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and asked for thoughtful, respectful engagement, particularly at the school level. (A copy of Breedlove’s speech will run in an upcoming edition of Columbia Gorge News.)

Council member Ryan O’Connor reminded the speaker, and everyone present, that the council currently has an open seat for a student member. Applicants must be residents of Bingen.

The council, with three new seated members plus new Mayor Kelsey Ramsey, continued their onboarding with an introduction to the city’s wastewater treatment plant staff: Jim “Buck” Buckland, Jim Karnoff, and Sam Cushman. They then took a deep dive into the city’s ongoing and numerous infrastructure projects, and went over their Risk Management handbook. The first order of business, however, was to approve or deny the city’s new contract for jail services.

After paying around $7,000 per year for jail services over the past five years, Bingen faces a major increase in fees for 2026. New Klickitat County Jail Administrator Bill Frantz informed the city that Bingen’s share of jail services should be $52,000 per year, according to his research. The city’s choice was to pay the higher fee or lose county-provided jail services. The council unanimously approved the updated contract.

A presentation by Columbia High School Co-Principal Kelly Hume, who unpacked the school district’s tax measures on the February ballot came next. She explained that the district was asking for a $77.8 million construction bond to renovate old buildings and create a single, unified K-12 campus. The passage of the bond would free up an additional $34 million in state funding to go toward the project as well. The district is also asking to renew its existing levy for $4.45 million in order to maintain current programs and operations. Hume was on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Next, City Administrator Krista Loney previewed several upcoming tasks for the city. The Critical Areas Ordinance Checklist must be completed by 2027; Loney will be the leader for the work. Because the city receives federal grants, it also must adopt a Language Access Plan, committing to using inclusive and accessible language for its citizens.

The topic of immigration enforcement actions came up again in council comments, when Councilor Erika Ramsey mentioned it as something the council might discuss at a later meeting.

The next regular Bingen City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.