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# 🗞️ July 2025 Klickitat County City Government Roundup
- URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/july-2025-klickitat-county-city-government-roundup/
- Published: 2025-07-30T00:12:36.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-30T00:12:36.000Z
- Description: July city updates from Goldendale, Bingen & White Salmon: fireworks debates, new housing ordinances, budget planning, and community celebrations.
- Author: Dispatch Squatch
- Tags: Klickitat County, Goldendale City Council, Goldendale, White Salmon, White Salmon City Council, White Salmon Planning Commission, Bingen, Bingen City Council

*City Council Updates from Goldendale, Bingen, and White Salmon*

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### 🏛️ **Goldendale City Council**

**📅 July 7 & July 21 Meetings**

- **Community Days Celebration**: Council praised the success of Community Days, with large attendance at the courthouse lawn and strong community engagement. Issues with trash pickup were quickly resolved.
- **Fireworks Debate Reignited**: Concerns were raised about illegal fireworks use following nearby wildfires. Councilmembers voiced frustration that even limited-permitted days are not being respected. Some called for exploring a full ban.
- **Goldendale Pride**: The annual Pride celebration was scheduled for July 13 at the courthouse parking lot, with an expected 300–350 attendees.
- **Budget Planning Kicks Off**: A new budgeting timeline was introduced, emphasizing early input from department heads and better integration of community priorities.
- **Permit Activity**: 62 permits issued so far this year, generating $23,800 in revenue. Code enforcement and development remain active issues.

📂 [Goldendale Council Agendas & Minutes](https://www.ci.goldendale.wa.us/your-government/city-council/agendas-minutes?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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### 🏙️ **White Salmon City Council**

**📅 July 2, July 16 Meetings**

- **Immigrant Community Resolution**: The council unanimously passed a resolution affirming White Salmon’s support for immigrant, Latino, and undocumented community members, citing constitutional protections and dignity for all.
- **Spanish Language Bonus**: A new citywide $200/month Spanish Language Proficiency Bonus was approved to improve access to city services for Spanish-speaking residents.
- **Wildfire & Emergency Committee Formed**: A 15-member advisory committee was established to lead public education, plan for evacuation routes, and coordinate with state and local agencies.
- **New City Clerk**: Erika Castro-Guzman was promoted to City Clerk with a $80,871 salary. Her contract includes expectations for outreach and managing records access.
- **Surplus Property Resolution**: City council approved the disposal or donation of aging vehicles and equipment.
- **Labor Relations Training**: Council received a presentation from the Public Employees Relations Commission in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

📂 [White Salmon Council Meeting Info & Packets](https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/meetings?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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### 🏘️ **White Salmon Planning Commission**

**📅 July 9 & July 23 Meetings**

- **Unit Lot Subdivision Ordinance**: Commissioners reviewed a draft ordinance to allow fee-simple townhome ownership (rather than condos), as required by state law. After community input, action was postponed to revise language about density, environmental review, and legal structure.
- **Clarification Provided**: The ordinance won’t change existing zoning or allow “stacked” unit sales—only adjacent side-by-side townhomes.

📂 [Planning Commission Meeting Materials](https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/meetings?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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### 🌆 **Bingen City Council**

**📅 July 2 Meeting**

- **Infrastructure Grants**: The city is [pursuing grants](https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/bingen-infrastructure-projects-in-progress/article%5F5b48306f-b7dc-4a2f-8a9b-ee463e9ac783.html?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) for culvert replacement and stormwater improvements. Sewer repair near Daubenspeck Park may be funded by ARPA dollars.
- **ADA & Park Upgrades**: Council discussed ADA improvements and applied for a Trees for Kids grant to plant new trees in local parks.
- **Housing & Childcare Needs**: The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District presented regional strategies for addressing housing shortages and the [lack of childcare infrastructure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YWGubFs%5FmQ&ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io).
- **Upcoming Festival Planning**: Bingen Huckleberry Festival logistics were reviewed. Council confirmed police coverage and discussed vendor layout.
- **Noise & Animal Ordinances**: Council began workshopping changes to both ordinances, responding to complaints about festival noise and loose dogs.

📂 [Bingen City Council Agendas & Packets](https://www.bingenwashington.org/node/581/agenda?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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✉️ **Want to attend or speak at a city meeting?**  
Each city allows public comment—check their websites for upcoming agendas and Zoom links.