🔋The BESS Moratorium: Countdown to March 3

On February 10, the Board authorized advertising for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) moratorium public hearing, scheduled for March 3 at 1:30 PM. This is the formal step that determines whether Klickitat County:

• Extends the current pause on new BESS applications
• Modifies it
• Or allows it to expire

This is arguably the biggest land-use question facing the county in 2026. The decision will shape how utility-scale energy storage is regulated, and how quickly projects can move forward. Expect strong turnout and substantive public comment.

Want more information? Check out our previous Special Report on what BESS is, how it works, and what's on the table with this ordinance.

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💻 Cayenta ERP Project: Another Extension, Another Cost Increase

The Cayenta financial software overhaul, now in its second year, returned to center stage at the February 12 workshop and February 24 meeting. The Board advanced a formal change order that:

• Extends the project schedule
• Moves the go-live date to March 16, 2026
• Increases the county’s financial contribution by $200,158

This is described as the “final stage” of a two-year upgrade process. While modernization of financial systems is essential, this represents continued budget expansion and timeline extension, something worth watching closely once the system goes live.

Key question moving forward: Will the March go-live finally stabilize internal accounting and reporting workflows?

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🏘 Short-Term Rental Regulations: Draft Moves Toward Hearing

At the February 12 workshop, Community Development Director Scott Edelman presented draft Short-Term Rental (STR) Vacation Ordinance regulations. Discussion focused on:

• Software to track STR compliance
• Estimated staff time for enforcement
• Application fees
• Violation processes
• Public comment themes
• Administrative capacity

This signals that STR regulation is moving from concept into enforcement design. Given Klickitat’s housing pressures and economic development tensions, this ordinance could significantly impact property owners, tourism, and housing availability. A public hearing is expected soon.

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📄 Public Records Requests: Centralization Proposal

Also at the February 12 workshop, the Board discussed restructuring how Public Records Requests (PRRs) are handled. The proposal: designate a single employee to intake all requests. This is consistent with how many surrounding county and city governments try to handle their request loads.

The Prosecuting Attorney participated in discussion regarding process and legal considerations. This may:

• Streamline intake
• Reduce duplication
• Or consolidate gatekeeping authority

For a county increasingly engaged in contentious land-use and energy debates, how PRRs are processed matters. Transparency infrastructure is governance infrastructure.

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✈ Columbia Gorge Regional Airport: Contract Extended

On February 24, the Board approved a First Amendment to the 2023 Airport Management Agreement, extending the contract with Aviation Management Services through April 30, 2027.

The extension is described as a one-time temporary measure to maintain continuity while longer-term options are considered.

Meanwhile, on February 10, commissioners approved signing an assurance agreement securing MCCED funding for public T-hangars or "Tee Hangars." Taken together, these moves signal continued investment and stabilization of airport operations.

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🚧 Public Works & Capital Projects

🛢 Goldendale Fuel Station

Approved Supplemental Agreement #3, increasing engineering costs by $26,000, bringing the contract total to $135,000. The scope includes layout revisions and specification updates.

🛣 2026 Annual Striping Program

Board moved to advertise the countywide striping program.

• Engineer’s estimate: $400,000-$650,000
• Includes yellow skip lines, white edge markings, plastic pavement markings
• Work located throughout Klickitat County

🌉 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Bundles

Contracts and federal aid paperwork were executed for deck and expansion joint repairs. These preventative projects are less flashy, but critical to long-term asset preservation.

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🏥 Public Health Department Update (January Data)

The February 24 Health Department report provided a detailed January snapshot. Clinical Services (January 2026):

• 414 total clinical services delivered
• 85 ABCD dental referrals
• 140 WIC contacts
• 97 vital records processed
• 19 communicable disease investigations

Environmental Health

• 85 food cards issued
• 83 water lab samples
• 3 onsite septic permits

Behavioral Health

Crisis contacts and safety planning activity reported; outreach was concentrated heavily in Goldendale. This gives helpful visibility into the ongoing workload of local public health services.

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👥 Personnel & Governance Moves

Across the February meetings:

• Ryan Kreps appointed to EMS District No. 3
• Payroll Analyst position authorized
• Case Manager hired in Adult Probation
• Senior Services hiring freeze exemption granted (Casual Driver)
• One-time credit limit increase approved for Auditor’s office

These reflect incremental staffing and operational adjustments rather than structural changes.

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⚖ Executive Session: Potential Litigation

On February 17, the Board entered executive session under RCW 42.30.110(i) to discuss potential litigation. No formal action was taken publicly, but litigation risk remains an active backdrop to county governance.

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🔎 What Changed

• 📅 The BESS moratorium hearing is now officially scheduled for March 3 - shifting the energy storage debate from abstract concern to imminent decision.
• 💻 The Cayenta ERP project gained another extension and $200,158 increase, locking in a March 16 go-live date.
• ✈ The Airport Management Agreement was formally extended to April 2027, signaling continued short-term stability rather than structural change.
• 🏘 A draft Short-Term Rental ordinance moved into active review, with enforcement mechanics and software under discussion.
• 📄 The Board is considering centralizing Public Records intake, potentially reshaping how information flows through the county.

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⚠ What Escalated

• 🔋 The BESS issue escalated from policy discussion to formal hearing. Public testimony will now directly shape regulatory direction.
• 💰 The Cayenta software rollout continues to expand in cost and duration, raising the stakes for a smooth March implementation.
• 🏘 STR enforcement conversations shifted from “should we regulate?” to “how will we track and penalize?” This is a significant administrative escalation.
• ⚖ Executive session discussions around litigation remain active in the background, reinforcing the legal tension surrounding land use and development decisions.

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🧭 What’s Next

• 🗓 March 3 – BESS Moratorium Hearing (1:30 PM)
• 💻 March 16 – Cayenta go-live target
• 🏘 STR public hearing likely soon
• 🚧 Striping and bridge maintenance contracts move toward spring construction
• 📄 Potential rollout of a new Public Records intake process

March looks like a pivot month, particularly for energy policy and county administrative systems.

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🗓 Join the Next Klickitat County BOCC Meeting

📍 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners
🕘 Meetings typically begin Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

💻 Join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651

📞 Dial-in:
1-346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 586 587 651

✉️ Public Comment:
Written comments may be submitted to bocc@klickitatcounty.org
(must be received by noon the day prior to be acknowledged)