> ## 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. # ๐Ÿ›๏ธ July 2025 Skamania County City Government Round-Up - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/july-2025-skamania-county-city-government-round-up/ - Published: 2025-07-30T02:07:49.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-30T02:07:49.000Z - Description: City councils in Stevenson and North Bonneville approved new hires, equipment upgrades, and summer events, while Underwood Park & Rec tackled wildfire safety, post office repairs, and community planning. Catch up on whatโ€™s happening in Skamania County this July. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: North Bonneville City Council, North Bonneville Planning Commission, Stevenson, Stevenson City Council, Underwood Parks & Recreation District, Underwood, Skamania County A look at what city governments in Stevenson, North Bonneville, and Underwood have been working on this past monthโ€”from new hires and wildfire response to public works updates and summer events. --- ### ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Stevenson City Council #### ๐Ÿ“† July 17 โ€“ Regular Meeting - Reviewed progress on the **utility rate study**, reaffirming goals to stabilize long-term rates and fund infrastructure. - Staff and council discussed implementation of the **Housing Action Plan**, balancing feasibility with urgency for middle-income housing. - **Public Works update** included waterline repairs and upcoming capital projects. - Routine approvals: consent agenda that included a water bill adjustment for a customer, prior meeting minutes, grant updates, and planning reports. #### ๐Ÿ“† July 27 โ€“ Special Meeting - Passed **Resolution 2025-454** and **455**, restructuring staffing with: - A new **Finance Director** position, replacing the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer - A new **Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker** (seasonal, part-time) - Salary ranges: \~$89,000 + benefits for the Finance Director; $20โ€“26/hour for maintenance - Council debated staffing responsibilities, especially **code enforcement**, and confirmed that duties like public records had been reassigned to other staff. - Emphasis placed on competitive hiring and urgency to post the roles. ๐Ÿ”— [Stevenson Agendas & Packets](https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/meetings?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) ### ๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Stevenson & Skamania County Middle-Income Housing Overview Editor's note: this section is included to provide historical context, but the report below was not specifically discussed during this set of meetings. - A 2020 [**Skamania & Stevenson Housing Needs Analysis**](https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/2533/housing%5Fneeds%5Fanalysis.pdf?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) found that **45% of future housing demand** in Skamania County (about 800โ€“900 units) needed to be affordable to **middle-income households (under $88K/year)** . Yet over 80% of potentially developable land wasnโ€™t zoned or served to support **duplexes, townhomes, cottages, and accessory dwelling units.** - Stevenson currently only represents **8% of the countyโ€™s buildable residential land**, indicating a need for code amendments and infrastructure investments if middle housing is to scale Stevenson Washington. - Similar county studies (e.g. Snohomish) emphasize that middle housing types like **garden apartments, small-scale multifamily, plexes**, etc., are critical for addressing local market gaps and reducing cost burdens. --- ### ๐Ÿž๏ธ North Bonneville City Council #### ๐Ÿ“† July 8 โ€“ Regular Meeting - Approved: - **$10,400** contract with Mid Columbia Overhead Door for plant roll-up door - **High One LLCโ€™s** liquor license renewal (Good abstained) - **$5,000 consulting contract** with Councilmember Joshua Good (Good abstained) - **Sheriffโ€™s Office** reported a **550% spike in search & rescue calls**, praised July 4th parade, and announced Air Force PJ teams will support future rescues. - Clerk introduced **new admin/planning assistant**, updated on Gorge Days and fire fuel cleanup. - Planner reported new **duplex and manufactured home** development and work on the **Critical Areas Ordinance**. - Held **executive session** under RCW 42.30.110 (no action taken). #### ๐Ÿ“† July 22 โ€“ Regular Meeting - Approved **$6,500 contract** with H2O Solutions to clean both city reservoirs and the chlorine contact chamber at the well house. - Reviewed the cityโ€™s **Asset Management Plan** (no formal action taken). ๐Ÿ”— [North Bonneville Agendas & Packets](https://northbonneville.net/government/council-meetings/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) --- ### ๐ŸŒฒ Underwood Park & Recreation District #### ๐Ÿ“† July 9 โ€“ Regular Meeting - Approved **$13,246 in vouchers,** reflecting active work on public facilities like the post office and Stillman Cottage. - County Commissioner and Sheriff briefed on: - **Fire bans**, rising wildfire risk, and **Air Force PJ teams** supporting rescues - **Weed control and brush clearing** efforts around power lines and wineries - Post office renovation continues (flooring selection pending) - Approved up to **$500 for Ice Cream Social** on **August 10** - Friends of Underwood announced updated event dates: - **Community Picnic:** Sept 7 - **Spaghetti Dinner:** Jan 24 - Maintenance projects discussed: - New water heater at Stillman Cottage - Gravel work on park driveway - Ongoing weed control around RC track - Two candidates filed for open board seats: **Martha Krouse** and **Matt Ryan** ๐Ÿ”— [Underwood Parks & Rec Agendas](https://underwoodcommunity.org/wp-ucc/underwood-park-recreation-district-mission-vision-minutes-agendas/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) --- ๐Ÿ“… **Next Public Meetings** - ๐Ÿ›๏ธ *Stevenson City Council*: Check [city calendar](https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) - ๐Ÿž๏ธ *North Bonneville City Council*: [northbonneville.net](https://northbonneville.net/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) - ๐ŸŒฒ *Underwood Park & Rec District*: **August 13, 6:00 PM**, Community Center