White Salmon City Council amends budget

WHITE SALMON — City council approved a second 2026 budget amendment during its regular meeting last Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The amendment, which was passed unanimously, increased citywide appropriations by roughly $1.21 million, bringing this year’s total to $25.72 million.

But the net gain isn’t new money the city can spend, Jennifer Neil, director of finance and operations, explained in the agenda packet. Most comes from a $1 million Emergency Rapid Response grant from Washington’s Department of Commerce, which requires no match, that is going toward infrastructure repair.

As previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, a May 28 storm caused roadway failure, flooding and damage to the city’s water system at multiple locations, particularly on NE Skagit Avenue and NE Scenic Road. All told, it’ll take $1,998,500 to fix the damage, the city estimated.

“That grant can be used for insurance deductibles. It is the intent to submit [a] claim through the insurance, which we feel pretty confident about,” Neil said during the meeting. “But if that falls through, [Department of Commerce] Public Works Board emergency funding has already been offered to us at an 85/15 percent loan-to-grant match.”

The amendment also aligned beginning and ending fund balances, accounted for loan repayment activity and trued up existing capital project budgets. Additionally, several departments saw reduced spending authority, including public works and code compliance ($117,000), planning ($85,000), finance ($6,800) and the clerk’s office ($2,900).

“We did a lot of work in the general fund to reallocate what we do not anticipate to spend in order to allocate budget into areas that are more needed,” Neil said.

Relatedly, Mayor Marla Keethler flagged that the city’s final Civic Slices event, focused on the budget, is coming up on Sept. 30 in council’s chambers. She also thanked everyone who helped coordinate White Salmon’s El Grito celebration, as did many councilors.

“That event was really lovely, as usual, and a really nice way to bring different cultures together,” said Councilor Patty Fink.

Last Wednesday’s meeting began with a presentation from Evan Evangelopoulos on Klickitat County’s Comprehensive Plan update, and from Councilor Morella Mora on the importance of Latinas holding public office in recognition of Latino/a/x Heritage Month.