> ## 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, Wildfire Recovery & WIC Strains - Klickitat BOCC Update 11/4-11/12 - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/bridges-wildfire-recovery-wic-strains-klickitat-bocc-update-11-4-11-12/ - Published: 2025-11-14T22:20:11.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-14T22:20:11.000Z - Description: Klickitat County wrapped two weeks of major updates: bridge and road bids, radio-system interference issues, new public health funding, WIC shortfalls, wildfire recovery, short plat approvals, and progress on the 2026 GMA update and transportation plan. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Klickitat Board of County Commissioners, Klickitat Board of Health, Klickitat County # 🏛 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners ### **Meetings of November 4th 2025 , with some context from late October** --- ## **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. --- ## **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. --- ## **🏡 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 --- ## **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. --- ## **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](https://upliftlocal.news/federal-shutdown-spurred-coordinated-local-response-to-food-shortages/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)" on UpliftLocal.news. --- ## **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. --- ### **Board of Health – November 4, 2025** *Source:* [*Klickitat County Board of Health Uplift Documenter notes*](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A4FwIrEyjzaWuG5mEACzOl%5FqbWp7becCjrG3mskhzrY/preview?tab=t.0&ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)*, 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)**](https://www.cghealthcouncil.org/cha-chip?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io). 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. --- ## 🏛 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. --- ## **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**. --- ## **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. --- ## **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. --- ## **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. --- ## **Upcoming Meetings** - **Next BOCC Meeting:** Tuesdays at 9:30 AM - **Join via Zoom:** [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) - **Dial-in:** 1 (346) 248-7799 | Meeting ID 586 587 651 - **Submit written comment:** [bocc@klickitatcounty.org](mailto:bocc@klickitatcounty.org) (by noon the day before)