By Dispatch Squatch in Klickitat County — 29 May 2025

🟦 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners – May 2025 Meeting Summary

From wildfire planning to solar siting rules, senior transit upgrades to jail renovations—your county commissioners covered a lot at this week’s meeting. Catch up on the key decisions shaping public health, infrastructure, and community safety across Klickitat County.

Your roundup of local government decisions from this week’s meeting, and a preview of next week.

🛠 Jail Improvements

The county approved a $60,000 sole-source contract for a new detention door at the jail. The door is a specific model required to maintain compatibility with the existing control system.

🚧 Road & Bridge Maintenance

Overlay and repair work is underway in Bickleton and Centerville.
Annual road striping is scheduled to start mid-to-late June.
Bridge repair planning continues after recent environmental review progress.
Guardrail repair bids for Alderdale will open June 3.

📐 On-Call Surveying Contract

AKS Engineering & Forestry was awarded a contract to support survey needs across upcoming road, quarry, and bridge projects.

🦷 Health & Human Services

A mobile dental clinic for kids and pregnant women will visit Goldendale (June 16–20) and White Salmon (June 23–27).
Officials are coordinating a Sequential Intercept Mapping workshop to improve support for individuals with substance use disorders in the justice system.
A $5 million state-level public health funding cut is expected for 2025—impact on local services still unclear.

💊 Opioid Abatement Council Launch

A new advisory council has been formed to oversee local use of opioid settlement funds. The initial five members represent public health, law enforcement, education, and nonprofits. First projects will be focused on prevention and recovery services.

🚐 Senior Transit & Services

Due to price increases, the county will purchase two ADA-accessible vans instead of the planned three.
Each minivan supports dial-a-ride services and is funded through a WSDOT grant.
Concerns remain about potential cuts to senior nutrition programs and long-term care supports.

🪑 Superior Courtroom Renovation

The board approved a time extension on the county’s historic preservation grant. Work continues on improving courtroom ADA access, acoustics, and safety.

🔥 Wildfire Risk Planning

A wildfire hazard and mitigation workshop is scheduled for June 26 at 9:30 a.m. Experts from DNR, local fire districts, and municipal governments will review risk maps and fuels-reduction projects across Klickitat County.

🌞 Solar Siting & Land Use

The Solar Vest Committee has made draft recommendations to require conditional use permits for industrial solar and battery storage projects. A public hearing is set for June 16 at the Planning Commission.

🚌 Transit Expansion Awaiting Funding

The county awaits word from WSDOT on a proposed new fixed-route connector between White Salmon and Goldendale. Existing dial-a-ride and fixed-route services are funded through 2027.

Reappointment of Valerie Fowler to the Columbia River Gorge Commission (term through 2029).
Purchase orders approved for two ADA-accessible vans.
New agreements signed with Fire Districts 13 & 14 for radio dispatch and 9-1-1 services.
The Switzler Reservoir SEPA review contract with Geosyntec was extended.

🔍 Preview: What’s next on the Agenda for 6/3?

The Klickitat County Commissioners have a full day planned for Tuesday, June 3. Highlights include:

Department updates from Public Works, the Jail, Economic Development, and the Prosecutor’s Office.
A bid opening for guardrail repairs in Alderdale following recent fire damage.
A public meeting to review a boundary line adjustment in the Struck/McCrutcheon area.
A presentation on a potential animal shelter grant from Danielle Olsen.
Approval of a new fee schedule for behavioral health services and a new agreement to distribute medication lock boxes in partnership with a local abuse prevention coalition.
Final approval of the Bickleton Area paving project, and a contract extension for environmental testing at the old Klickitat Mill Site.

The agenda also includes time for public comment, commissioner reports, and a scheduled executive session to review a personnel matter.

📂 Meeting Materials & Next Steps

📄 Full Agenda & Documents:
You can view the full meeting agenda, staff reports, and consent items from the May 27 meeting here:
👉 Klickitat County BOCC Meeting Packet – May 27, 2025

🗓️ Next Commissioner Meeting:
The next regular Board of County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 9:30 AM.
Attend in person at the Klickitat County Services Building or join via Zoom:
🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

Stay informed, get involved, and help shape the future of Klickitat County!