Songer again campaigns for more funding; board trying to move forward

The actual growth in population of Klickitat County, from 19,161 in 2005 and 24,568 in 2025, is just over 28%.

Failure to fund his department to the level he considers adequate, he said, could have consequences.

“We are looking right now — and I don’t want to do this, God forbid — we are looking right now at cutting services for our citizens,” he said. “Only respond to in-progress crimes. Now there’s going to be a lot of pushback on that, but I don’t have a choice. I have to maintain a balanced budget, and I have to maintain safety for our citizen and our officers.”

Later, when asked what was the one piece of information they most wanted to make sure gets out to the public from the meeting, Commissioner Lori Zoller responded this way:

“The sheriff’s budget. And it’s very clear, following the money, that there was an amount that was funded in the budget for 2025 that needed to be realigned. It was there, it was available, but it just needed to be moved officially from one bars numbered to another, and these commissioners did that. And along with that, they gave an extra $80,000 towards payroll.”

Commissioner Ron Ihrig said that the important thing he wanted the public to know is that the board has agreed to disagree and that whether the public agrees with the board or not, they are trying to move forward.

The afternoon regular session included authorizations to purchase two ballistic vests, and two radars for the Sheriff’s Department under the consent agenda.

Jail administrator Bill Frantz reported that “overall, general operations have been good.” He said that they were continuing efforts to clean and paint the jail, to cover up graffiti and resurface dining tables.

“The actual work is being done by people that are incarcerated,” he said, “and it’s kind of a benefit to them in many cases; they can earn good conduct time.”

There was also a bid opening for installation of new/upgraded warning signs and installation of flexible guideposts on Alderdale Road, East Road, Pine Forest Road, Six Prong Road, Dot Road, Sandridge Road and Hale Road.

Nine bids were received, ranging from $359,188 to $750,000. The public works department will check them to see that all conditions were properly met and the bidders qualified, and bring back a recommendation for commissioner approval.

In the consent agenda, commissioners approved:

• Increased compensation for English/Spanish interpretations of program services for the Adult Probation Case Manager.

• A small works contract with Inland Fire Extinguisher, Inc. for 2025-2026”.

• Local agency A&E professional services supplemental consultant agreement #2 for

“Goldendale Fuel Station”.

• Advertising to fill an accounting administrative assistant in the Treasurer’s Office.

• Klickitat County Health Department 25-27 Consolidated Contract Amendment 8

• Sheriff authorization to purchase ballistic vests

• Sheriff authorization to purchase radars

• Resolution amending the 2025 annual budget for various funds