🏛 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners

Meetings of November 4th 2025 , with some context from late October

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Public Works – Roads, Bridges & Facilities

Road & Bridge Projects

• Final pay estimates approved for:
  • Pioneer Center HVAC – $125,936
  • Business Park Phase 2 – $307,268
  • 2025 Road Striping Program – $103,176
• Bridge Repair Bundle #2 and Wood Gulch Bridge go to bid mid-November.
• Crews finishing Roosevelt Grade ditching, east-side grading, sign repair, and hydro-seeding projects.
• Continued concern about increasing striping costs:
  • County is now striping 1/3 of roads annually, down from half.
  • Rising prices and switch to water-based paint limiting longevity.
  • Exploring co-op purchasing with other counties.

Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program

• Public hearing set for December 2.
• Evening session will be held in White Salmon to support public access.

Other Issues

• Seasonal facility changes underway (Trout Lake Park closing, hunting access maintained at ARC).
• Growing problem of abandoned RVs and trailers dumped on county roads; coordination underway with PA’s Office and Sheriff.

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Planning, Natural Resources & Economic Development

Goldendale Park Plan

• Finalized; will be transmitted to RCO once adopted by City Council.

Observatory Hill Interpretive Signage

• Avangrid approved shifting a prior splash-pad grant to fund interpretive trail signs; project moving forward.

Short-Term Rental Update

• Department preparing for the Dec. 11 public hearing on new STR regulations.

Economic Development & Lodging Tax

• Commerce reduced the county’s annual ADO contract from $75,000 → $58,525, which was anticipated.
• LTAC finalized the 2026 application; grant pool set at $125,000, due Dec. 1.
• Affordable Housing Advisory Board applications open through Dec. 31.

.09 Economic Development Requests (KCP2)

• Total requests: $510,000
  • City of White Salmon – $260,000 (water/sewer system upgrades)
  • Port of Klickitat – $250,000 (terminal improvements at Dallesport Industrial Park)
• Quarterly SBDC update delivered.
• Commission directed staff to draft an RFP for Community Benefit Agreement policy development to guide review of large-scale industrial/energy projects.

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🏡 What’s Changing With Short-Term Rentals in Klickitat County?

(Planning Commission Hearing - December 11)

Klickitat County is preparing its first comprehensive countywide Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance, replacing the current patchwork of case-by-case permits. The draft hasn’t been released yet, but here’s what Planning says is coming:

What the New Rules Will Likely Include

• Countywide operating standards
  Quiet hours, occupancy limits tied to bedrooms or septic capacity, parking rules, and required fire-safety measures.
• Annual registration or licensing
  With fees to fund enforcement, proof of insurance, and a 24/7 local contact for emergencies.
• Density limits in key zones
  Possible caps or spacing rules in rural residential areas; restrictions likely in agricultural/forest zones.
• Real enforcement tools
  Fines for unlicensed rentals, suspension or revocation for repeated nuisance issues, and a clearer complaint process through Code Compliance.
• Grandfathering existing STRs
  Older, legally-established STRs will probably continue as “nonconforming uses” but must still meet life-safety standards.

Why This Matters

The county is responding to high STR concentrations, limited enforcement authority, and the debate over impacts on housing affordability, especially in east-county communities.

Timeline

• Early December - Draft ordinance published
• Dec. 11 - Planning Commission public hearing
• Winter 2026 - Revisions & recommendation to BOCC
• Spring 2026 - Possible adoption

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HR & Administrative Services

Staffing

• Authorized recruitment for:
  • Seasonal Snow Plow Operator
  • Noxious Weed Office Manager (Casual)
  • Office Admin I-III (Noxious Weed)

Employee Benefits & COLA

• Renewal approved for Flexible Spending Account administration (Verde Services).
• COLA discussion held:
  • CPI is 2.8%
  • Staff recommend 3% minimum to stay competitive.
  • Final decision awaits progress in five open collective-bargaining processes.

IT & Administration Updates

• Network changes, server replacements, Windows 11 upgrades, and copier/phone system replacements underway.
• Code Compliance reported closures of several complaints and continued use of Republic Services for waste issues.

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Public Health & Community Services

Community Health Needs Assessment (2026–28)
Key concerns previewed for the forthcoming countywide assessment:

• Suicide rates 3–5× the national average.
• Behavioral-health provider shortage (1:530).
• Persistent food insecurity, child poverty, and housing instability—especially east-county.
• Rising social isolation among older adults.

Recommended Strategies

• Expand Community Health Worker programs.
• Strengthen coordination among Skyline Health, KVH, and county agencies.
• Grow Volunteer Connection and in-home senior support programs.

Senior Services

• Renewed contracts for the Winter Fruit & Veggie Program, Volunteer Connection Program, Nutrition Services, and HDM Expansion.

Related reading: "Federal shutdown spurred coordinated local response to food shortages" on UpliftLocal.news.

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Corrections & Emergency Management

1115 Medicaid Reentry Waiver

• Approved hiring a grant-funded project manager to integrate jail healthcare with community care post-release.

Emergency Communications

• Continued interference at mountain radio sites; discussion of long-term system replacement vs. incremental fixes.
• 911 phone system loses vendor support in 2027; planning underway for replacement.

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Board of Health – November 4, 2025

Source: Klickitat County Board of Health Uplift Documenter notes, gratefully shared with us under a CC-by-4.0 license.

The Board of Health met on Nov. 4 to discuss immediate funding concerns and long-term public-health planning:

• The federally funded WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program is facing an unprecedented shortfall, with only $19,000 remaining to serve eligible families, far below the amount typically needed to operate through year-end.
• Health officials reported that food insecurity, housing instability, and behavioral-health needs continue to rise, especially in east-county communities.
• An MOU was approved with Klickitat Valley Health to expand rural outreach, strengthen preventive care, and support the county’s growing population of isolated older adults.
• The department underscored the need to recruit and retain additional Community Health Workers (CHWs) to help address provider shortages and support residents with chronic conditions, transportation barriers, and emergency-care follow-up.
• The Board announced an upcoming public listening session in early December to gather input for the county’s 2026–28 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

These findings align with the emerging themes in the Community Health Needs Assessment, which continues to highlight high suicide rates, provider shortages, and social isolation as major drivers of poor health outcomes in rural Klickitat County.

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🏛 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners

Meeting of November 12, 2025

(Rescheduled from Nov. 4 due to agenda changes)

Public Works – Roads, Bridges & Facilities

Public Works opened the morning with updates on road projects nearing construction approval:

• Snowden Road Overlay (CRP-386) and Wood Gulch Preventative Maintenance projects were prepared for bid opening later that afternoon.
• Staff reported continued progress on Bridge Repair Bundle #2, multiple bearing replacement projects, and winter-readiness work.
• Road crews continue ditch work and grading throughout east-county, along with tree removal, facility maintenance, and prep for snow season.

A key note: Striping costs remain high, stretching the county’s ability to maintain its network annually.

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Planning Department – Short Plats & Ongoing Work

Planning delivered a brief status update:

• Short plats and boundary line adjustments presented for final approval later in the meeting.
• Staff continue preparing for the December 11 public hearing on short-term rental regulations and the Planning Commission’s continued review of the Solar & Battery Storage Ordinance.
• Long-range planning work includes draft materials for the 2026 GMA Periodic Update.

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Emergency Management - Major System Issues & Recovery Efforts

Emergency Management provided a substantial update focused on ongoing radio and 911 system concerns:

Public Safety Radio System

• Interference at Stacker Butte affecting the Diamond Gap microwave path remains unresolved; all vendors met Nov. 5 to identify next steps.
• Additional interference is entering the Kaser Ridge site on the county ops channel.
• Battery bank failure at Kaser Ridge during generator replacement; replacements scheduled.
• Equipment failures (fans, PMU components, etc.) increasing as the system ages; long-term cost forecasting underway.

Site Leasing, Wildfire Prep & Infrastructure

• KPUD radio expansion continues at the Stacker and Flat Top sites.
• DNR sublease for Juniper site is awaiting signatures.
• Fuels reduction planning continues with DNR; potential small timber sale discussed.

Wildfire Updates

• Burdoin Fire recovery progressing:
  • 6 total residential losses (all insured).
  • Significant outbuilding and small-business losses, many uninsured.
  • County facilitating transition to a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).

911 Dispatch & Training

• Two dispatchers are out on medical leave; new trainees are being recruited.
• 911 phone system replacement project is in progress.
• Dispatchers are implementing Protocol 41 for “Callers in Crisis” and beginning coordination with 988.
• Mental Health First Aid courses scheduled Dec-Jan for all first responders.

Emergency Planning & Grants

• Updates underway for the Hazard Mitigation Plan (2020) and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2018).
• FEMA winter storm reimbursement (DR-4775) mostly complete.
• Multiple SHSP and EMPG grant cycles awaiting award decisions.

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Afternoon Session - Business Agenda & Public Comment

Bid Openings

• Opened bids for:
  • Snowden Road Overlay (CRP-386)
  • Wood Gulch Preventative Maintenance

Public Meetings - Land Use Approvals

The Board unanimously approved:

• Short Plat SPL 2023-18 - Kolander
• Short Plat SPL 2024-31 - Woodruff/Pearson
• Boundary Line Adjustments: Fitzsimmons (BLA 2025-01), Ross/Locnikar (BLA-11), Lowry (BLA-06), Hollenbeck (BLA-09)

Consent Agenda Highlights

All items approved unanimously, including:

• Health Department Consolidated Contract Amendment #9, including a $221,223 net funding increase (significant boosts for Public Health Infrastructure, PHEP, Sexual & Reproductive Health, and WIC).
• Interlocal agreement with Washington Gorge Action Programs to fund the Bingen/White Salmon Youth Center.
• Asbestos abatement and flooring contracts for courthouse jury room renovations.
• Snow-removal contracts for 2025-26 (county lots & Pioneer Center).
• Resolution appointing a new Board of Health member.
• Additional compensation for a Public Works foreman performing out-of-classification duties.
• Scheduling public meetings for upcoming BLAs and a public hearing for the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (2026-2031).

Pay Estimate Approvals

• Final pay for Alderdale Guardrail Repair (ER-2403) - $138,955.

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Miscellaneous & Notices

• Commissioners received updates on regional boards, health-care committees, and senior-services grant opportunities.
• The Board recessed to a November 13 workshop covering the Q3 supplemental budget and municipal service agreements.
• Next scheduled BOCC meeting appears to be Tues. Nov. 25th.

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Upcoming Meetings

• Next BOCC Meeting: Tuesdays at 9:30 AM
• Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651
• Dial-in: 1 (346) 248-7799 | Meeting ID 586 587 651
• Submit written comment: bocc@klickitatcounty.org (by noon the day before)