GOLDENDALE — Klickitat County Commissioners had a long day of it Dec. 2, starting at 8:30 a.m. The packed agenda kept them at it until 4 p.m., with a scant hour for lunch. That was followed up with a public hearing on the six-year master road plan that evening in White Salmon.
Much of the action was focused on the 2026 budget, presented by Budget Manager Heather Gallagher. "This year's budget for all funds is $69,622,772,” she told commissioners. “That is a 5% reduction from the current 2025 amended budget, which also includes the third supplemental, which we just approved on Nov. 25."
One positive note is that the projected increase in insurance coverage for the county, which had been estimated at 35% came through at just 7.5%. That is still higher than inflation, but a lot easier to deal with.
She also noted the budget adds three new staff positions before a planned hiring freeze, goes into effect Jan. 1.
"One is a probation case manager, to be shared with the cities,” she said. The jail to get a control board operator, and then a position in the sheriff's office."
Yes, that means that Sheriff Bob Songer is going to get the funds he's been requesting for staff positions. When County Administrator Robb Van Cleave assured him that the budget contains funding for 14 deputies, three sergeants and a fourth administration staff position, Songer responded, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Commissioners also discussed the situation arising from the sudden resignation of Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney David Quesnel, who announced his resignation the day before Thanksgiving, effective Dec. 14. He still had a year to go in his term of office, and commissioners decided to advertise for an interim prosecuting attorney, with applications to close on the 19th, and an appointment made the following Tuesday.
And one of the changes coming in the new year is the merger of several departments. County Administrator Van Cleave told commissioners, "We'll be announcing later this week that I'll be promoting Scott Edelman to the director of the new combined building/planning/economic development/code compliance department, which has yet to be named. He will start that new role on the first of January. I look forward to working with Scott. He's got a lot of experience in this area, and we're gonna rely on him a lot."
The morning session included a special childcare workshop that brought in representatives of a number of local and regional agencies, and Washington 17th District Senator Paul Harris. The event was largely in response to persistent advocacy by local citizen Gabrielle Gilbert, whose longtime vow is to end Klickitat County as what she calls “a childcare desert.”
A number of suggestions came from participants. One noted that Whatcom County has a Healthy Children Fund, established by a tax levy, that has been highly successful. Some cited financial barriers to starting up new businesses, including the “prevailing wage” requirement for new construction, which greatly increases the cost. Even more so is WAC 51-50-0429, which now requires new construction with parking to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Even new private homes must be “EV ready,” meaning an appropriate electrical supply and designated parking spot.
Another suggestion was to ask local governments for waivers on system development and sewer and water hookup charges for new childcare construction, which can run into the thousands. And some testified that certain licensing and operating rules are so oppressive that many people who might want to start day care facilities back away.
The fact that the state of New Mexico has universal free child care thanks to endowments funded by revenues on oil and gas extraction, and surplus federal COVID funds, had some participants suggesting that the county look for similar revenues from wind and solar power farms.an
Commissioners held public hearings adopting the 2026 budget and setting the property tax levies, and the six-year transportation master plan. Public meetings included one short plat and two boundary line adjustments.
One item was pulled from the consent agenda, a proposed alternate work schedule for an assistant planner in the planning department. Commissioners did approve:
• A public meeting for approval of short plat, SPL 2025-04, Pyle.
• A public meeting for approval of boundary line adjustment, BLA2025-02, Eichner.
• Approval of Boundary Line Adjustment, BLA 2025-10, KLM Developing LLC.
• Certification of tax levies of taxing districts within or coextensive with Klickitat County to the Klickitat County Assessor
• A public meeting for approval of short plat, SPL 2024-18, Sanders
• A professional services contract with Teresa D Johnson CPA, Inc.
• A public meeting for approval of short plat, SPL 24-08, Abeyta
• A public meeting for approval of short plat, SPL 2025-08, AJM Investments
• Klickitat County Health Department Medicaid administrative claiming agreement
• Advertising for the CGRA Business Park Training Facility Project.
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