🏛 Skamania County Commissioners Recap – November 25, 2025

Budget stress, public frustration with zoning process, and rising public-safety costs dominate the final full meeting of November.

Commissioners met Tuesday for an extended session covering year-end financial conditions, public comment on the Underwood zoning ordinance, and deep budget workshops with the Prosecutor and Sheriff. Conversations repeatedly returned to a central theme: 2026 will be financially tight, and the county must brace for leaner years.

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🗣️ Public Comment

Public testimony on this date was unusually detailed and included strong objections to the proposed Underwood “unmapped lands” zoning ordinance and concerns about the county’s use of surveillance technology.

Several public commenters, including individuals whose remarks closely reflected arguments commonly used by Friends of the Gorge, urged the county to halt the Underwood zoning ordinance. These speakers cited GMA provisions such as RCW 36.70A.170 and argued the county must first conduct a “resource-lands inventory.”

As Documenters noted, these arguments echoed familiar FoG legal strategies even though GMA procedural requirements do not apply to Skamania County outside the Scenic Area, and the Underwood parcels in question are fully outside NSA jurisdiction.

Several residents objected that the ordinance was added to the agenda only five days before Thanksgiving, limiting public ability to respond.

One speaker referenced the Sheriff’s choice to deactivate Flock cameras and ongoing litigation statewide regarding surveillance and public-records requirements. They urged the county to remove or bag the cameras to rebuild trust.

Outcome

No vote was taken on the zoning ordinance. Commissioners accepted public comment and moved the ordinance forward for additional staff review.

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📊 Revenue & Expenditures Overview

During the FMO budget review, finance staff walked commissioners through October year-to-date spreadsheets. While revenues are generally tracking close to expectation, commissioners noted:

• Some departments are already at 86–87% of annual expenditures, suggesting potential supplemental adjustments.
• Certain regional or state revenues (e.g., homeless-services funding) remain delayed.

Commissioners emphasized the importance of a lean approach for the upcoming biennium:
“Going forward is where we need to be lean… it’s going to be a struggle with what we’re seeing coming up into the future.”

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⚖️ Prosecutor’s Budget Workshop

The Prosecutor’s Office reconvened with the Board to reconsider a previously vetted staffing request:

• The unfilled position would cost ~$50,000 more than current temporary coverage methods.
• Temporary workers and overtime are allowing the office to function, but this strategy is not sustainable.
• Commissioners acknowledged the workload but asked whether the county could realistically absorb the added salary in a tight year.

No final decision was made; the position remains under financial review.

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👮‍♀️ Sheriff’s Budget Workshop

The Sheriff’s Office presented the most significant budget challenges of the day.

1. Jail overtime is consuming the budget

The jail is currently at 90% of its annual expenditures, driven heavily by overtime. This alone will force a second supplemental budget:

2. Unexpected medical costs

A large hospital bill associated with an in-custody issue is expected to be “exorbitant,” though not likely to hit until 2026.

3. Contract increases could not be forecast earlier

The Sheriff explained that new contract costs came mid-year, making it impossible to budget for them in advance. Commissioners agreed these increases would strain 2026 planning.

4. Commissioners ask about other departments’ supplemental needs

A brief discussion followed about which departments might require late-year adjustments, highlighting that several are nearing or exceeding expected expenditure bands.

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🧭 Executive Session & Workshops

Commissioners held a mid-morning executive session on litigation. No action taken. The FMO workshop continued review of department revenues and expenditures ahead of final 2025 closeout and early 2026 budgeting.

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🏗 Consent Agenda & Operational Approvals

From the packet, commissioners approved:

• 2026 Lodging Tax awards
• EMS OAC funding
• Solid Waste Management Plan
• Interagency agreements (DOH, WSDA, weed management, Health Officer services via Clark County)
• Wind River Business Park water-system maintenance
• Title VI compliance for USDOT
• Wind River Road Preservation Project - Supplemental Agreement 03 (extending contract to 12/31/2026)

Routine vouchers were approved.

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🏘 Underwood Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 2025-04) - Held for further work

After extensive public testimony raising procedural concerns, consistency questions, and development-scale impacts, commissioners did not take action on the ordinance.

Staff will return with additional review and clarifications before the Board considers a vote.

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🏛 Skamania County Commissioners Recap – December 2, 2025

A light business agenda turned into a wide-ranging policy discussion: broadband access, winter plowing gaps, long-term encampments in the forest, and needed updates to aging county contracts.

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💵 Vouchers & Payroll Approved

Routine approvals included:

• Vouchers: $133,736.67
  (Current Expense: $46,226.07; warrants #206733–206786)
• Payroll: $704,635.56 for the Nov. 16–30 period
  (Current Expense: $429,918.92)

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🏞 Swift Reservoir Area Naming Resolution Moves Forward

Commissioners revisited a Fire District 6 resolution requesting formal county recognition of a place-name for the east end of Swift Reservoir. The request had been delayed during the clerk transition but is now ready to proceed.

• Prosecutor and Public Works previously confirmed no legal concerns.
• Commissioners agreed to add the naming resolution to next week’s consent agenda.

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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Interviews for Upcoming Board Vacancy

There are two applicants for an upcoming county board/committee position.

• Commissioners discussed whether to interview applicants or rely solely on written materials.
• They asked staff to check availability and tentatively plan for next week, noting the calendar is otherwise light.

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🌐 Broadband Expansion: New Momentum & Changing Rules

Commissioners revisited the long-running broadband-access problem, one of Skamania’s hardest infrastructure gaps. Key updates from the discussion:

1. Grant match requirements may have changed

• Commissioner Lyons reported from a Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) broadband session that grant-match hurdles may be easing, opening doors for rural counties.

2. Applications now dominated by private-sector providers

• Commissioners reviewed a list of active broadband applicants (Starlink, NoNet, Inland).
• This suggests public agencies may no longer be required as the primary sponsor for grant applications.

3. Funding confusion remains

• Federal broadband funds may be rescinded or delayed, causing uncertainty across the state.

4. Past obstacles: costs and maintenance

Commissioners reiterated earlier barriers:

• A 2018–2019 PUD feasibility study estimated ~$60 million to build a countywide system.
• Small-county broadband systems must be continuously subsidized, not just built.
• One rural system in another state failed when fiber was damaged and counties lacked funds to repair it.

5. Internet access may be better than reported in earlier surveys

New EDC data suggests some areas were previously underestimated.

Outcome:

The Board will revisit broadband possibilities in early 2026, especially given the new federal landscape and low-earth-orbit satellite options.

🌐 Why Rural Broadband Is So Difficult

Expanding broadband in rural counties like Skamania remains challenging because the terrain is hard to build through, homes are spread far apart, and providers have little financial incentive to serve low-density areas. Even with federal programs like BEAD, shifting rules and funding delays have slowed projects across the Gorge. Local governments also face long-term maintenance costs that can exceed what small systems can afford. This is why Skamania continues to explore a mix of solutions, including fiber where feasible, fixed wireless, and emerging satellite options, rather than relying on a single approach.

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⛺ Rising Concern: Long-Term Encampments in Forest Areas

Commissioners discussed the growing issue of long-term encampments, especially near the Stabler watershed.

• Multiple RVs, boats, and vehicles are now occupying sites long-term.
• Impacts include environmental degradation, health and safety hazards, and lack of federal enforcement capacity.
• Commissioners said the problem is getting worse quickly and could “become the norm” without intervention.

What Commissioners Want to Pursue:

• A countywide camping/encampment ordinance with enforceable rules.
• A joint workshop with:
  • Sheriff’s Office
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Cities
  • Possibly the Prosecutor
• Exploring whether the Forest Service could adopt or enforce county codes under existing agreements.

This issue will likely become a major 2026 policy priority.

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❄️ Winter Plowing Gap: Curly Creek → 90 Road → Northwoods

Commissioners flagged a longstanding winter-access problem:

• The county plows Curly Creek Road to the 90 Road intersection.
• But no agency plows the remaining stretch down to Northwoods / Swift community.
• This creates a gap in emergency access for residents and recreation users.

They plan to:

• Consult the district ranger and Forest Service leadership.
• Ask Public Works Director Waymire for a briefing next week.
• Explore Good Neighbor Authority or stewardship contracting options.

This will be addressed early in the new year.

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📅 2026 Reporting Calendar Adjustments

Staff presented a new Board calendar and asked whether annual department update sessions (like DNR, Fire, WSU Extension) should shift to morning time slots. Commissioners agreed and suggested Forestry updates at 10:30 or 11:00 AM, since they can run 1–2 hours.

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🌲 Encampments & Forest Service Collaboration (follow-up item)

Commissioners revisited the need for improved coordination with Forest Service leadership on enforcement, snow plowing, and public-safety concerns. They identified:

• January as the earliest realistic time for a joint workshop
• The need for clearer policies on long-term occupation of forest lands

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🧑‍🏫 WSU Extension Update (Hannah Brown)

Hannah Brown phoned in from medical leave with a detailed update. Key points:

4-H Program & Fair

• Enrollment continues; paperwork is being processed.
• Work underway to finalize the 2026 Exhibitor Guide.

Youth Wellbeing Workgroup

• Reviewing a new Skamania County asset map from SWACH to identify gaps and youth needs.

Outdoor School (still in early development)

• Multi-district planning underway for a regional outdoor school starting 2026.
• Camp WaRiKi being evaluated despite mixed reviews from a prior district.
• Best-practices guidance provided by Pacific Education Institute.

Forestry Youth Program (Forest View)

• Funding remains uncertain; BNSF Foundation and Community Foundation grants are being pursued.
• Competition for grants is exceptionally high due to expiring federal relief funds.

Commissioners suggested additional funding leads (private timber companies, Lodging Tax possibilities) and stressed the importance of sustaining local youth programs.

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🏕 Camp WaRiKi Lease Needs Updating

In closing discussion, commissioners returned to concerns about the Camp WaRiKi lease, noting:

• The contract is from around 2008 and has not been modernized.
• Lease rates do not cover insurance costs, which have “changed dramatically.”
• Past issues were raised earlier in 2025 but paused due to workload.

Commissioners propose:

• A January workshop to review the full contract
• New cost-sharing expectations
• Updated safety and liability language
• Ending “rolling auto-renewal” practices in outdated contracts

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🌲 Stream Buffer Litigation & State Forest Practices Board

Commissioners discussed a recent news article about private landowners suing the state over non-fish-bearing stream buffer rules.

Key concerns:

• New rules may expand buffers and remove buildable land.
• Skamania’s representative on the Forest Practices Board abstained from the vote, which, under meeting rules, acted as a yes.

Commissioners plan to:

• Coordinate with Pacific County (hit hardest by the rule change)
• Consult WSAC policy staff
• Consider submitting a comment letter or seeking legislative remedy

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🧭 Next Steps & 2026 Focus

Commissioners agreed to:

• Begin 2026 strategic-planning discussions in January
• Prioritize:
  • Encampment/homelessness ordinance
  • Camp WaRiKi contract overhaul
  • Broadband access strategy
  • Forest buffer rule impacts
  • Winter plowing and emergency access

Meeting adjourned.

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Join the next Skamania County Commissioners meeting:

Tuesday at 9:30 AM
📍 Courthouse Annex, Room 19 (240 NW Vancouver Ave, Stevenson)
💻 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210
📞 Phone (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.