📝 Klickitat County Commissioners Meeting Summary - 6/24/2025
In this week’s Klickitat BOCC meeting, officials approved a 911 system upgrade, debated long-term budget challenges, and heard strong public opposition to a large-scale solar project. Plus: updates on childcare efforts, emergency funding, and infrastructure improvements across the county.
📅 Date: June 24, 2025
📍 Location: Klickitat County Services Building, Goldendale, WA
🔈 Public Comment Highlights:
- Childcare & Youth Programs: Gabrielle Gilbert expressed appreciation for the planned July 17 childcare workshop and urged the County to increase its funding for the local Youth Center and reconsider contract clauses that require children to pick up litter.
- Solar Development Opposition: Multiple residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed Carriger solar project, claiming it will damage farmland, reduce home values, and leave communities with cleanup costs.
- Transparency & Engagement: Tracy McCune from Lyle asked for a town hall meeting with commissioners, and raised concerns about property maps and emergency response to a recent wildfire.
- Under Canvas Update: Commissioners reported no complaints since the glamping site opened and praised its design and traffic mitigation efforts.
📞 Emergency Management & 911 Upgrades:
- The board approved a new contract to upgrade the county’s aging 911 phone system. The new system is expected to go live by the end of 2025.
- Future funding gaps were flagged. The county may need to either begin charging fire districts for radio and dispatch services or seek a voter-approved emergency communications sales tax.
💰 Budget & Funding Discussions:
- Commissioners held a lengthy discussion about the need for fiscal restraint amid falling landfill gas revenues and uncertainty around grant funding.
- Some members pushed for proactive adjustments to avoid a “death by a thousand cuts” scenario, while others advocated for waiting until more financial data is available.
🏗️ Projects & Contracts Approved:
- Final approval of a boundary line adjustment in Wishram.
- Accepted a bid proposal for updating the county’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
- Approved nine consent agenda items including:
- Landfill Gas Improvement funding ($185,000) for Dallesport Water District.
- Lease renewal with NSC Smelter LLC.
- Renewal of a GeoComm GIS services contract.
- Two Designated Crisis Responder contracts.
- Grant and MOU with the City of Goldendale to improve the Goldendale Incubator Space using .09 funds.
- Purchase of a new Public Health vehicle.
- Approved Pay Estimate #3 for $489,866.70 for Sunnyside Road overlay work.
- Authorized accounts payable totaling $891,515.80.
📰 News Around Klickitat
Here's a quick look at what else is making headlines across the county this week:
🎆 4th of July Fireworks at the Port
The Port of Klickitat is hosting a public fireworks celebration on July 4 from 8–11 p.m. at Bingen Point. No alcohol, pets, or private fireworks allowed. Bring your blankets and enjoy the show!
🔗 Read more
💡 Go Paperless, Get $20
Klickitat PUD is offering a $20 bill credit if you switch to paperless billing by August 31. They're also encouraging fire season preparedness as summer heats up.
🔗 Learn more
🚲 Seasonal Trail Closures
The Klickitat Trail’s Swale Canyon section will be closed July 1–October 1 due to wildfire risk. Plan your hikes and bike rides accordingly.
🔗 Trail info
📂 Meeting Materials & Next Steps
You can review the full agenda and packet from this meeting here:
👉 Klickitat County BOCC Packet – June 24, 2025
🗓️ Next BOCC Meeting:
📅 Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:30 AM Workshop
📍 Location: Klickitat County Services Building
💻 Join via Zoom: Zoom Link
📞 Dial-in: 669-900-6833 — Meeting ID: 586 587 651
📬 Submit written public comment to:
📧 bocc@klickitatcounty.org