🛣 Public Works: Bluebird Mitigation, Bridge Work & Winter Cleanup

Public Works opened with a full construction update:

Projects Moving Forward

• Wood Gulch Bridge Maintenance – Contractor has mobilized and begun work.
• Bridge Repair Bundles (deck & joint repairs) – Awaiting final paperwork to set pre-construction meetings.
• Bearing Repair Bundle – Contract and bonds pending.
• Snowden Road Overlay – Still in award process.
• Curve Warning & Guidepost Project – Punch list completed; nearing physical closeout.
• White Plastic Edge Line Project – Final acceptance approved; $10,000 retainage to be released.

🔵 Bluebird / Renewable Haul Route Mitigation

Significant clarification was given about Schrantz Road and related routes connected to renewable energy transport.

Before Bluebird’s haul traffic begins:

• Both sides of the bridge approach will be paved up out of the draw.
• Graveling and rebuilding will occur on Bighorn Road.
• DOT Road will see paving improvements.

Importantly:

County taxpayers are not paying for this work.
These are mitigation improvements funded by the energy developer due to road-use impacts.

Public Works will provide maps to clarify confusion between:

• The Wood Gulch Bridge (developer-funded repair)
• The separate wood bridge over Bighorn Creek, scheduled for later replacement

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🚧 Speed Limits & Public Hearing

Consent agenda included:

• Setting a public hearing to revise speed limits on certain county roads.
• Local agency agreements for geotechnical services.
• Preventative maintenance expansion bridge joint project supplements.

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✈️ Airport Update: Hangar Financing Shift

The Columbia Gorge Regional Airport public T-hangar project financing structure has changed.

Originally:

• City of The Dalles was to borrow $360,000 and Klickitat County would co-sign.

Now:

• Loan will go through the Washington State Investment Board.
• Because funds must go to a Washington entity, Klickitat County will borrow, and The Dalles will co-sign.

These funds:

• Come from long-standing Gorge economic development allocations.
• Must be used before they expire later this year.
• Will be repaid through hangar lease revenue (not general fund).

Commissioners approved the required assurance agreement to move the process forward.

Notably:

• Consultants reported the airport footprint is nearly as large as SeaTac in total acreage - highlighting long-term development potential.

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🔋 Battery Storage (BESS) Moratorium: March 3 Hearing Scheduled

The county’s moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) expires March 3.

Commissioners:

• Approved scheduling a public hearing for that date.
• Tied the decision on extension to progress on the solar/BESS ordinance currently under development.

Public commenters asked whether this affects previously approved projects. The Board indicated the hearing will clarify next steps and status. This is a key decision point for Klickitat’s energy siting framework.

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🏛 Olympia Watch: Legislative Update

Chairman provided a detailed legislative briefing from WSAC.

Major issues discussed:

💰 Millionaire Income Tax Proposal (HB 2724)

• WSAC Steering Committee voting.
• Chair indicated intent to vote no, citing constitutional precedent concerns.
• Carrot: potential criminal justice funding allocation.

⛽ Gas Tax Allocation Error

Audit revealed:

• Klickitat shorted $2,048,616 (2006–2023).
• Statewide total shortfall: $110 million.
• Counties debating whether to demand direct repayment vs routing through CRAB Board (which could require match funds).

⚖ Public Defense Funding (HB 1592)

• Moving through appropriations.
• Would impact county-level public defense obligations.

☀️ Green Energy Excise Tax (HB 1960)

• On third substitute version.
• Major implications for wind/solar repower taxation.

🖥 Data Center Regulation Bill (HB 2515)

• Would impose significant new requirements.
• PUD Association opposed.
• Could affect future energy/data development prospects.

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📂 Public Records Tracking Discussion

The County Administrator raised interest in formally tracking:

• Volume of public records requests
• Time and financial impact

Commissioners expressed interest in:

• Workshop discussion
• Tracking metrics to present to legislators
• Increasing transparency around workload impacts

This signals possible future reporting changes.

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👥 Staffing & Collective Bargaining

Updates included:

• Three guilds meeting internally this week on tentative two-year agreement.
• Public Works union agreements nearing final drafting.
• Labor-management meetings to continue quarterly to reduce conflict between bargaining cycles.

Flu-related staffing absences noted across departments.

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💳 Auditor Credit Card Limit Increase

Board approved a one-time increase (to $6,000) for the Auditor’s Office to cover costs of correcting 2025 W-2 processing issues.

Commissioners noted recurring need for similar adjustments across departments and may revisit baseline limits.

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📌 What Changed This Week

• Airport financing shifted from Oregon-side borrowing to Washington Investment Board loan.
• March 3 BESS moratorium hearing officially scheduled.
• Legislative strategy solidified on income tax and gas tax shortfall.
• Public records cost tracking formally surfaced for policy discussion.

🔥 What Escalated

• State legislative activity intensifying (short session pace accelerating).
• BESS ordinance timing now directly tied to moratorium extension.
• Gas tax allocation error evolving into a significant funding recovery issue.

👀 What’s Next

• March 3 BESS public hearing.
• Workshop on short-term rentals & outside counsel.
• Continued Olympia bill movement (energy, excise tax, public defense).
• Possible public records tracking workshop.
• Further airport loan documentation approvals.

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🗓 Join the Next Klickitat County BOCC Meeting

📍 Klickitat County Board of Commissioners
🕘 Meetings typically begin Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

💻 Join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651

📞 Dial-in:
1-346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 586 587 651

✉️ Public Comment:
Written comments may be submitted to bocc@klickitatcounty.org
(must be received by noon the day prior to be acknowledged)