> ## 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. # 🏗️ Roads, Radio Silence & Regional Funding: Klickitat BOCC Update – 2/10/26 - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/roads-radio-silence-regional-funding-klickitat-bocc-update-2-10-26/ - Published: 2026-02-16T21:22:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-16T21:22:02.000Z - Description: Klickitat County’s February 10 meeting covered road mitigation tied to renewable projects, airport financing shifts, legislative battles in Olympia, public records tracking, and a looming decision on the county’s battery storage moratorium. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Klickitat County, Klickitat Board of County Commissioners ## 🛣 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 --- ## 🚧 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. --- ## ✈️ 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. --- ## 🔋 Battery Storage (BESS) Moratorium: March 3 Hearing Scheduled The county’s moratorium on [Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)](https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/special-report-klickitat-countys-solar-battery-storage-ordinance/) 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. --- ## 🏛 Olympia Watch: Legislative Update Chairman provided a [detailed legislative briefing](https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/klick-co-bocc/article%5Fd5c05ad1-09a5-4418-af51-51890df76b79.html?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) from WSAC. Major issues discussed: ### 💰 Millionaire Income Tax Proposal ([HB 2724](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/blog/2026/02/03/washington-state-democrats-introduce-millionaires-tax/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)) - 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](https://mynorthwest.com/jake-and-spike/cca-report-error/4183410?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) 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](https://wacities.org/advocacy/news/advocacy-news/2025/02/28/county-supported-public-defense-funding-bill-gets-first-hearing?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)) - Moving through appropriations. - Would impact county-level public defense obligations. ### ☀️ Green Energy Excise Tax ([HB 1960](https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1960%20HBA%20FIN%2026.pdf?q=20260123043358&ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)) - On third substitute version. - Major implications for wind/solar repower taxation. ### 🖥 Data Center Regulation Bill ([HB 2515](https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/11/how-wa-lawmakers-are-trying-to-regulate-data-centers/?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)) - Would impose significant new requirements. - PUD Association opposed. - Could affect future energy/data development prospects. --- ## 📂 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. --- ## 👥 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. --- ## 💳 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. --- # 📌 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. --- ## 🗓 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](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/586587651?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io) 📞 **Dial-in:** 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 586 587 651 ✉️ **Public Comment:** Written comments may be submitted to [**bocc@klickitatcounty.org**](mailto:bocc@klickitatcounty.org) (must be received by noon the day prior to be acknowledged)