𖣑 Bridges, Broadband, and Behavioral Health - Klickitat BOCC October 2025 Recap

🏛 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners

Meetings of October 21 and October 28, 2025

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October 21 – Public Safety & Health Updates

Emergency Communications Systems
Commissioners heard an update from Emergency Management on the aging radio and 911 phone systems.

• The public-safety radio network continues to experience interference at mountain tower sites.
• The 911 system, installed in 2020, will lose vendor support in 2027; replacement planning is underway for 2027–28.
• Staff are pursuing state and federal grants to offset costs.

Corrections Department – Fleet & Operations

• Approved purchase of a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor SUV for inmate transport ($73,009, paid from the Vehicle Rental & Replacement Fund).
• Commissioners stressed continued monitoring of vehicle-maintenance inflation and aging fleet safety risks.

Airport & Economic Development
Approved a joint funding agreement with the City of The Dalles for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport hangar expansion, leveraging a $1.7 million Business Oregon grant and $180 k local match.

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🏥 Klickitat County Community Health Needs Assessment 2026–2028

Source: Klickitat County Health Department, Skyline Health, and Klickitat Valley Health

Public Health & Community Health Needs Assessment
The Health Department previewed its 2026-28 Community Health Needs Assessment, highlighting:

• Rising housing insecurity, behavioral-health shortages, and food insecurity, especially east-county.
• Continued suicide and isolation rates well above the state average.
• Recommendation to expand Community Health Worker programs and cross-agency coordination with Skyline Health and KVH.

Key Findings

• Suicide disparities: The countywide suicide rate is 41.1 per 100,000, with the Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) district reaching 71 per 100,000 - nearly five times the national average (15.4).
• Income and health gaps: Median household income is $55,989 in the KVH district vs. $79,718 in the Skyline Health district, a gap that mirrors differences in health outcomes and life expectancy.
• Child poverty and food insecurity: Roughly 17% of Klickitat County children live below the poverty line, with rising reports of food insecurity, particularly in east-county communities.
• Behavioral-health shortages: The ratio of mental-health providers to residents is roughly 1:530, compared to 1:200 statewide - contributing to long waits for care and crisis response strain.
• Social isolation: Over half of surveyed residents (53%) said they feel socially isolated at least some of the time, increasing risk of depression and chronic health conditions.
• Housing insecurity: Affordable housing shortages remain one of the top stressors on health and family stability countywide.

Implications & Local Action

The report paints a sobering picture of health inequities across Klickitat County, especially in lower-income and rural areas, but also outlines clear paths for improvement:

• Invest in connection and care: Expand Community Health Worker programs and Volunteer Connection efforts that address isolation, senior support, and behavioral-health follow-up.
• Coordinate local services: Improve cross-agency collaboration among Klickitat County Health Department, Skyline Health, KVH, and regional nonprofits to reduce duplication and reach underserved residents.
• Address root causes: Recognize housing, food access, and transportation as critical “social determinants of health,” not separate from healthcare.
• Public engagement: Residents can participate in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process, which will guide countywide health priorities over the next three years.

(Sources: Columbia Gorge News, WAGAP Needs Assessment 2024, Skyline Health, Klickitat County Health Department.)

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October 28 – Infrastructure & Planning Focus

Bridge and Road Maintenance
Public Works reported progress on multiple bridge projects:

• Bundle 2 Bridge Repair and bearing replacement projects now cleared by WSDOT for advertisement; five bridges will receive structural repairs.
• Wood Gulch Bridge (Project CRP-388) will be fully reimbursed by a private renewable-energy firm that requires the route for transport access.
• Snowden Road Overlay bids open Nov 12 for spring construction.
  Routine maintenance continues on Roosevelt Grade ditching and east-county grading.

Facilities & Snow Removal Contracts
Facilities staff discussed snow-removal bids for county properties.

• Private contractors will plow parking lots and the Pioneer Center on an hourly basis, since the county lacks spare equipment and staff.
• Contracts require cleared lots by 7 a.m. Mondays when county buildings reopen.

Planning Department – Solar Ordinance & GMA Update
The Planning Commission continued reviewing the Solar and Battery Storage Ordinance, though attendance was light at its last meeting. One commissioner recused for conflict of interest.

• The Planning Department is finalizing the Comprehensive Plan update work plan and public outreach strategy.
• Commissioners also approved a Growth Management Act Periodic Update Grant (FY 2026) from the state to fund this ten-year update.

Corrections Department – Medicaid 1115 Waiver
Approved hiring a project manager to administer the Health Care Authority 1115 Medicaid Waiver implementation.

• The waiver integrates jail health services with community care post-release, aiming to reduce recidivism and emergency hospital use.
• The position is fully grant-funded, with no county cost.

Senior Services & Volunteer Programs
The Board renewed the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities contract, expanding the Volunteer Connection Program for social visits, respite care, and light home repairs (including weatherization and grab-bar installation).

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🗓 Next Steps & Participation

💻 Join future meetings on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651
📞 Dial-in: 1 (346) 248-7799 | Meeting ID 586 587 651
📬 Submit written comments: bocc@klickitatcounty.org (before noon the day prior to be acknowledged).