Solar, energy storage project topics at Klickitat Co. Board of Commissioners meeting

Later, Economic Development Director Richard Foster updated commissioners on the proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project.

“It looks like the Goldendale pumped storage project is going to be going through,” he said. “So, what would that look like from a tax perspective? Rye Development has specifically stated it went from $2.2 billion to $3.3 billion. Based on a 1974 law for cultural resource surveys and archeology studies, they have to set aside 1% or $40 million for that purpose, whichever is larger.”

Just how big a financial windfall this would be for the different taxing districts has yet to be determined.

Completing the project may involve the seldom-convened Klickitat County Water Conservancy Board. Adrian Bradford, a member of the board, told commissioners they had had quite a dry spell.

“There have been no water rights issues in the state of Washington for over four years,” said Bradford. He surmised that, if asked, 99% of Klickitat County residents couldn’t explain the board’s function or purpose.

With the pumped storage project and a recently proposed large housing development in Dallesport, however, that could change.

Commissioners also dealt with a mandate from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to update the county’s floodplain maps, part of a national remapping program. Failure to do so could result in the federal government denying flood insurance for county citizens.

The meeting ended with a presentation from the Future Business Leaders of America (FLBA) by members of the Goldendale High School chapter in person and the Columbia High School chapter via Zoom. Both schools fared well at the most recent district event, competing in categories such as journalism, public policy and job interviews As a result, Goldendale is sending nine students to the state competition, and Columbia is sending 40.

Commissioners were happy to fulfill the FLBA request to declare Feb. 9-15 as Future Business Leaders of America Week in Klickitat County. FLBA members, in turn, were intrigued to hear Commissioner Todd Andrews inquire when their meetings were held. “I’d like to pop in sometime,” he said, noting that he had been an FLBA member when he was in high school.

Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• A second Amendment to the Hearing Examiner Contract

• Advertising to fill a vacant maintenance technician position in Bickleton for the Public Works Department.

• Awarding the Engineer of Record for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport to Precision Approach Engineering.

• A resolution changing and boundaries for Precincts 005 and 0109 to reflect land annexed into the City of White Salmon.

• A credit card limit increase for the elections department.

• A Statement of Work from Right Systems, Inc. to configure new network switches for the Klickitat County network.

• An agreement with Area Aging on Disabilities of Southwest Washington (AAADSW) for beneficiary outreach and assistance services.

• Advertising to fill a vacant seasonal weed control technician position.

• A contract with the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of South West Washington for family caregiver support services.

• An updated contractor profile for Klickitat County Senior Services.

• Execution of the contract retainage bond for the Sunnyside Road Overlay

• Awarding a bid for white plastic edge lines, CRP 380.

• A consultant agreement with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. for the safety plan update.

• A public hearing on March 4 at 1:30 PM for revising of speed limits on certain county roads.

• A public hearing on March 4 at 1:30 PM to allow the operation of wheeled all-terrain vehicles on certain county roads with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less.

• A resolution amending and establishing rental fees for the use of the Dooley Barn.

• A supplemental agreement with Sargent Engineering, Inc. for on-call

structural engineering services.

• A subrecipient agreement for Community Development Block Grant with Washington Gorge Action Programs.

• Data sharing agreement between behavioral health and Washington State Department of Health.

• A request to carry over 2024 vacation hours.