🏛️ Klickitat BOCC Meeting Summary – June 17, 2025
At the June 17 meeting, Klickitat County Commissioners reviewed infrastructure projects, law enforcement staffing, and heard strong public input on solar. They approved boundary line changes, landfill funding, and discussed risks to long-delayed animal shelter funding.
The Klickitat County Commissioners met on June 17 for a day full of departmental updates, planning decisions, and passionate public comment. Here's what residents should know:
🛠️ Public Works & Facilities Updates
The morning began with updates from Public Works, highlighting a flurry of construction and infrastructure work across the county:
- Roadwork is underway across the county including overlays on Sunnyside Road and Box Springs Highway, and patching in Glenwood and Fisher Hill Road areas.
- Trellis Lake Park’s upper bathroom remodel is complete.
- The Columbia Gorge Regional Airport is progressing on Phase 2 construction of its business park, with a major pay estimate of $458,828.48 approved later in the meeting.
- Energy infrastructure improvements include generator replacements and an energy audit wrapping up by the end of the month.
- A grant funding issue may jeopardize plans for a new animal shelter if not resolved before the June 30 deadline.
🚓 Sheriff's Office Budget & Staffing Struggles
Sheriff Bob Songer again requested the board restore $382,020 in funding previously cut from his department. He warned that staffing shortages have led to unsafe conditions—with sometimes only one deputy on shift covering the entire county.
Supporting reports showed:
- Calls for service: 7,175 so far this year, with 3,047 in unincorporated areas.
- Deputy staffing is down from 13 to 8, and overtime is rising, mostly due to insufficient coverage.
- K9 training, evidence tracking, marine patrol, and reserve deputy programs are active but strained.
- The department is shifting away from purchasing a new large transport van and instead will add an SUV to its fleet due to cost and practicality.
🏛️ Jail Facilities & Accessibility
The jail is also understaffed but making strides in accessibility. Improvements include:
- New surveillance cameras in intake and restrictive housing units.
- ADA-compliant facilities being installed for inmates with disabilities.
- A future multi-purpose room will allow remote programming like parenting classes via video, supported by the Department of Social and Health Services.
🗣️ Public Comment Highlights
The afternoon saw intense public comment focused on renewable energy development, with multiple speakers urging a halt on solar and wind project approvals. Concerns centered around:
- Long-term cleanup liabilities if companies abandon decommissioned sites.
- Lack of public participation in the county’s emergency management planning.
- Frustration over past franchise agreements for solar projects like Carriger.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns, stating that bonding and insurance policies help mitigate financial risk, but agreed that stronger protections and community communication are needed.
🗺️ Planning & Land Use
The board approved three boundary line adjustments:
- BLA 2024-11: Spadaro/Denny/Ventnor LLC (White Salmon area)
- BLA 2024-22: Riggleman/Verrey (Ferry Drive area)
- BLA 2025-03: KC Valley/Verley (BZ Corner vicinity)
A resident also requested a countywide moratorium on new development permits until the Comprehensive Plan is updated. Commissioners did not take immediate action but acknowledged the concern.
💰 Budget Approvals & Contracts
The commissioners approved:
- Consent agenda items, including body cam and TASER renewals, a behavioral health contract, and a revised Sheriff's Office org chart.
- Over $791K in accounts payable and $893K in payroll-related costs.
- Landfill gas grant of $185,000 to the Dallesport Water District for equipment purchases, pending legal review.
🗓️ Next BOCC Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Klickitat County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for:
📅 Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Klickitat County Services Building, Room 200
115 W. Court Street, Goldendale, WA 98620
💻 Remote Access: Join via Zoom
📞 Dial-in: 1 (253) 215-8782 or any listed number
Meeting ID: 586 587 651
📬 Submit public comments by 12:00 p.m. the day before the meeting to:
📧 Email: bocc@klickitatcounty.org
📬 Mail: Board of County Commissioners, 115 W. Court Street, Room 200, Goldendale, WA 98620
🗣️ Public comments are also accepted during the meeting:
- In person: Step forward during the comment period
- Via Zoom or phone: Use Raise Hand (or press *9 by phone) to be recognized
- Please limit comments to 3 minutes and state your name and location for the record