> ## 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. # 🌉 Bridges, Budgets & Bonneville: 11/4 BOCC + PUD Recap - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/bridges-budgets-bonneville-11-4-bocc-pud-recap/ - Published: 2025-11-12T22:06:16.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-12T22:06:16.000Z - Description: County and utility leaders tackled big infrastructure and energy topics this month, from new bridge and road projects to updated industrial and cannabis rates, long-term BPA power planning, and the start of 2026 budget hearings across both boards. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Skamania County, Skamania County Board of Commissioners, Skamania County Public Works, Skamania Public Utilities Department ## ⚡️ **Skamania PUD Meeting Recap – November 4, 2025** ### **New power contracts, load policies, and BPA updates** The PUD board met Tuesday morning to review regional power-supply planning with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), update industrial and cannabis rate policies, and approve monthly vouchers for all three utility systems. --- 🔌 **BPA “Provider of Choice” Contract Briefing** Representatives **Suzanne Zoller and Kevin Mozena** from the **Bonneville Power Administration** presented the framework for BPA’s **Provider of Choice (POC)** power-supply contracts. These long-term agreements, et to take effect in **October 2028,** will shape how public utilities across the Northwest purchase wholesale power for decades to come. Key points discussed: - BPA’s intent to continue **Tier 1 power allocation** for utilities like Skamania PUD to maintain low-cost hydropower access. - The contract’s focus on **resource adequacy and carbon-free commitments** under Washington’s **Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA)**. - Potential impacts of new **capacity and peak-load charges** that may affect small utilities’ cost stability. - PUD commissioners emphasized **flexibility and transparency** in how these regional contracts affect rural ratepayers. General Manager **Randy Payne** noted that Skamania PUD will coordinate closely with **WPUDA (Washington PUD Association)** and **PPC (Public Power Council)** in the coming months as BPA finalizes the POC framework. --- ⚙️ **Resolution 2884 – New Large Load & Cannabis Policy Updates** The board unanimously adopted **Resolution 2884**, updating rate schedules for both **new large industrial loads** and **cannabis operations** to reflect current BPA wholesale costs. 📦 **New Large Single Load (NLSL)** - Applies to customers whose load exceeds **2 average MW in a month** or **8 MW in any hour.** - Such loads must enter separate contracts and cover all costs for power, transmission, and ancillary services. 🌿 **Cannabis Rate Schedule** - Energy rate: **8.77¢ per kWh** - Demand charges: **$7.00 (distribution)** \+ **$6.14 (power)** per kW-month - Basic charge: **$119/month** - Customers under this schedule are **ineligible for federally funded energy-efficiency programs** due to federal cannabis restrictions. Both rate schedules take effect **January 1, 2026.** --- 📊 **Financial & Operational Notes** - **Electric vouchers:** $412,000 (ACH, pre-issued, and regular payments) - **Carson Water vouchers:** $217,000 - **Underwood Water vouchers:** $79,000 - Staff reports covered ongoing **system maintenance**, **water project updates**, and **budget tracking** for the 2026 fiscal year. --- 🗓 **Next Steps & Upcoming Dates** - **Nov 5-6:** PUD participation in PPC’s regional meeting on BPA contract modeling. - **Nov 12-14:** Commissioners to attend the **WPUDA annual conference** for clean-energy and workforce development discussions. - **Next regular board meeting:** **Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 9:00 AM (Carson Office & Zoom).** 💻 Join online: [us06web.zoom.us/j/81831455255](https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81831455255?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) ✉️ Public comments: contactus@skamaniapud.com --- ## 🏛 **Skamania County Commissioners Recap - November 4, 2025** ### **Road investments, bridge repairs, and budget hearings set the stage for 2026** Commissioners met Tuesday to adopt the county’s six-year road and bridge plan, preview the 2026 preliminary budget, and discuss several upcoming infrastructure and safety projects. --- 🛣 **Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program Adopted** Public Works Director **David Waymire** presented the **2026-2031 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)** and **2026 Annual Road Program**, which commissioners approved unanimously. The plan outlines an estimated **$6.06 million in federal grants**, **$247,000 in state funds**, and **$135,000 in local road funds** for next year’s construction. Top-ranked projects include: - **Wind River Road Slide Reconstruction** \- stabilization and widening near Flint Way. - **Washougal River Road Improvements** \- realignment near Fanning Hill and new safety signage. - **Buck Creek Bridge Repairs** and **Butler Eddy Bridge Replacement** \- federally funded bridge projects to address scour and structural deficiencies. - **Countywide Bridge Scour Project** \- evaluating erosion and waterway safety across 25+ structures. The 2025 inspection report showed **69% of county bridges rated “good,” 27% “fair,” 4% “poor,”** and **one (Butler Eddy Bridge)** fully closed pending replacement. --- 🚧 **Bridge Safety & Maintenance Updates** - The **2026 Bridge Inspection Program** continues under updated **federal SNBI standards**, transitioning from the older National Bridge Inspection System. - Routine inspections found **23% of bridges require load restrictions**; new weight limits were posted in October via **Resolution 2025-24.** - Federal funding will support repairs on **Salmon Falls, Hatchery, and Moore bridges**, while the **Home Valley Park pedestrian bridge** is slated for removal due to structural deterioration. --- 💵 **2026 Preliminary Budget Hearing** Commissioners held a public hearing on the **2026 preliminary budget**, with adoption scheduled later this month. The draft budget emphasizes infrastructure funding, staff retention, and continued coordination with state and federal grant programs to offset local costs. We don't yet have a link to the preliminary budget. --- 🚤 **Workshop: Boat Launch Ordinance Discussion** Public Works and Sheriff **Summer Scheyer** briefed the board on developing a **countywide boat launch ordinance**, exploring ways to align safety rules and fee structures across sites like Wind River, Swift Creek, and Home Valley. --- 💬 **Other Business** - Renewed five-year **GIS data maintenance** contract (2026-2030). - Approved **snow-removal agreement with Washington State Parks**, extending the long-running winter maintenance partnership. - Closed out the **Army Corps of Engineers cooperative agreement**, marking the completion of a multi-year flood-mitigation study. - Approved **contract renewal with Community in Motion** to continue managing **Medicaid transportation services** for local residents. --- 🗓 **Next Steps** - **Final 2026 Budget Hearing:** November 25, 2025 - **Holiday schedule:** meetings move to Wednesdays if Monday is a holiday - **Zoom link for public access:** [us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) ✉️ **Comments:** [commiss@co.skamania.wa.us](mailto:commiss@co.skamania.wa.us)