> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🚤 1% Levy Vote, Winter Emergency, and Boat Launch Changes - Skamania BOCC 12/16-12/17 - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/1-levy-vote-winter-emergency-and-boat-launch-changes-skamania-bocc-12-16-12-17/ - Published: 2025-12-24T20:37:24.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-24T20:37:24.000Z - Description: Skamania commissioners adopted the 2026 county budget (2–1) with a 1% levy increase, approved year-end Supplemental Budget #4, and declared a winter-storm emergency. Earlier in the week they passed a new boat launch ordinance raising fees and limiting out-of-county guide permits. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Skamania County, Skamania County Board of Commissioners ### 🏛 **Skamania County Commissioners Recap – Dec. 16–17, 2025** Boat launch rules get tougher + 2026 budget adopted (with a 1% levy increase) *With thanks to the Documenters who* [*share their notes*](https://www.documenters.org/reporting/?location=skamania&ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) *under CC BY 4.0 - credit *Columbia Gorge Documenters, powered by Uplift Local*. Find out more:* [*https://upliftlocal.news/columbia-gorge/columbia-gorge-documenters/*](https://upliftlocal.news/columbia-gorge/columbia-gorge-documenters/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)*.* --- ## 🚤 Dec. 16: Boat Launch Ordinance (fees + guide limits + enforcement) Commissioners approved a new **Boat Launch Ordinance (**[**Ordinance 2025-05**](https://www.skamaniacounty.org/Home/Components/News/News/1346/256?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)**)** aimed at reducing congestion and safety issues at **Wind River (Home Valley)** and **Drano Lake** launches, after a busy season that included accidents and access problems (including hatchery workers struggling to reach work due to congestion). **Key** [**changes discussed and adopted**](https://upliftlocal.news/skamanias-boat-ramps-congested-changes-coming/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)**:** - **Resident annual permit:** $10 → **$20** - **Non-resident annual permit:** $75 → **$100** - **County guide service permit:** $250 → **$300** - **Out-of-county guide permit:** **$500**, **limited to 40** total permits (first-come, first-served) - **Out-of-county guides restricted from Home Valley** until capacity improves, due to parking/safety constraints there. - Commissioners emphasized stronger **enforcement**, including bringing in **code enforcement support** (not only sheriff’s deputies). **Public testimony themes:** - Several speakers supported the ordinance but stressed it won’t work without enforcement. - One resident asked for the **out-of-county guide cap to be lower than 40**. - A representative of the **Washington Guide Association** raised concerns about how out-of-county guides will be notified, and the logistics of **client parking/transportation** if customers can’t park at the launch areas. - Staff said guide permits typically go on sale **the last week of the year** and are currently purchased through the county office; commissioners suggested they could ask WDFW to help share notices. **Also approved (legal action):** Commissioners voted to authorize county legal counsel to join available **amicus briefs** supporting a lawsuit challenging the state’s expanded buffers on **non-fish-bearing streams**. --- ## 🧑‍💼 Dec. 16: Department head reports: storms, roads, and public health cuts **Public Works / Community Development (David Waymire):** - Crews focused heavily on **storm response**, including multiple landslides, downed trees, and culvert issues; commissioners praised the road crew’s long hours reopening key routes (including Sky Road). - Waymire reported that **all “unmapped lands” updates are now complete in GIS** (a long-running county mapping cleanup project). - Updates included Wind River Business Park work (addresses/signage), fairgrounds maintenance and grant pursuits, and preparations for winter monitoring. **Community Health (Tamara Cissell + staff):** - Behavioral health staffing improved: a **new therapist started**, a **crisis counselor** agreement is in place (credentialing pending), and interns are planned for 2026 and 2027. - The department is bracing for potential **statewide public health funding cuts**, tied to changes in how **vape tax** revenues are structured and uncertainty about future allocations. **Commissioner updates included:** transportation projects and SR-14 safety concerns, Secure Rural Schools (SRS) updates, and recurring worries about winter access and plowing for **Forest Road 90** to the north end of the county. --- ## 💰 Dec. 17: Budget public hearing + 2026 budget adopted At a [short evening public hearing](https://upliftlocal.news/skamania-county-approves-1-property-tax-increase/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io), commissioners: - Adopted **Supplemental Budget #4 for 2025 (Resolution 2025-35)** with **no public testimony** submitted.SCBD12-17-25 - Adopted the **2026 Skamania County Budget (Resolution 2025-34)** using **Option A**, which includes a **1% property tax increase** for both **current expense** and **county road** funds. The vote was **2–1** (Nichols and Farris in favor; Chair Leckie opposed). **What the 1% levy means for Skamania property owners:** Under Washington law, counties may increase existing property tax levies by up to 1% each year without voter approval. This is not a new tax or a surcharge on higher-value homes; it applies proportionally to all taxable property in the levy area. In Skamania County, **commissioners estimated the average impact at roughly $3-$4 per property owner per year**. The board debated the increase not because of its size, but because of cumulative cost-of-living pressures on residents and the long-term budget implications of either using or foregoing the 1% authority. **What “Option A vs. Option B” meant:** - **Option A:** 1% increase for **current expense** \+ **county road** - **Option B:** 1% increase for **county road only** **Budget totals presented:** - Option A total budget: **$67,138,235** - Option B total budget: **$67,111,139** **Why commissioners split:** - Chair Leckie argued for limiting new tax burden given rising costs residents face (state-level increases, “carbon tax,” etc.), even if the county’s portion is small. - Commissioner Nichols supported Option A partly to preserve **“banked capacity”** rules (arguing skipping the 1% now could enable a future board to raise more later without voter checks), and because they’re simultaneously advocating for outside revenue sources like SRS/encumbered lands. - Commissioner Farris also supported Option A, citing the optics of saying the county needs more funding while choosing not to take the 1%, and noted prior budget decisions this year (including raises for elected officials). They then adopted follow-on levy/certification items: - **Resolution 2025-32** (current expense levy) - **Resolution 2025-33** (county road levy) - Certification of levies to the assessorSCBD12-17-25 --- ## 📌 Practical note for readers: Boat Launch permits for 2026 A county press release announced that **all 2026 boat launch permits go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.**, with updated fees and guide rules. --- ### 🏛 **How to Join the Next Skamania County Commissioners Meeting** 📅 **Tuesday at 9:30 AM** 📍 **In person:** Skamania County Courthouse Annex, Room 19 240 NW Vancouver Ave, Stevenson 💻 **Join by Zoom:** [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) 📞 **Call in (audio only):** 1-253-215-8782 Meeting ID: **889 0632 1210** 🗣 **Public comment** is taken at the beginning of the meeting. ✉️ **Written comments** may be emailed to **commissioners@co.skamania.wa.us** by **12:00 PM the day before** the meeting.