Skamania BOCC & PUD Updates
This week, Skamania PUD reviewed a rise in bad debt and outages caused by animals and tree failures, while County Commissioners advanced contracts for health and emergency services and scheduled a public hearing on wildfire and search-and-rescue funding for federal lands.
🏛️ Skamania County Board of Commissioners – June 17, 2025
Commissioners reviewed service contracts, set a hearing for Title III project funding, and held workshops with the Forest Service and Chamber of Commerce.
✅ Consent Agenda Approved
The board approved several items in a single motion, including:
- 🗓 Public Hearing Scheduled: A hearing was set to gather input on 2025–2026 Title III projects (related to public safety and emergency response on federal lands).
- 🔌 UPS System Maintenance Contract with AC Power Tech Inc.
- 🚧 Washougal River Road project amendment with CRAB.
- 🥗 Additional nutrition funding for 2025 via the Area Agency on Aging.
- 🧠 Psychiatric services contract amendment with Paige Crozier, PMHNP.
- 🤝 Renewal with DSHS for developmental disabilities services.
💵 Financial Approvals & Staffing Changes
Commissioners separately approved:
- Regular vouchers, special A/P vouchers, and payroll
- 🔄 Position reclassification: The "Partnership Specialist" role was updated to an Education & Outreach Specialist, likely reflecting a shift in community engagement priorities.
- 🏢 Discussion continued on the 266 Second St., Stevenson property purchase, which had been authorized at the June 10 meeting.
🏞️ Workshops & Updates
- 🏛️ Skamania Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angie Martin provided updates on local business and tourism efforts.
- 🌲 USDA Forest Service Workshop (AM & PM): Commissioners and Forest Service officials met in two extended sessions to discuss a range of land management, emergency response, and coordination topics.
🔥 Proposed Title III Projects (2025–2026)
The Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing for August 19, 2025 to consider funding for several emergency response and wildfire preparedness projects under the federal Secure Rural Schools Act (Title III). Here's a snapshot of what’s proposed:
- 👮 Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services
Funding to support deputies, equipment, and overtime for search and rescue, wildfire response, and other emergency services on federal lands. - 🚑 North Country EMS – Mt. St. Helens Response
Coverage during the busy recreation season (July–September), focused on emergency response in high-traffic Mount St. Helens areas. - 🔥 Skamania County Firewise (Underwood Conservation District)
Projects to reduce wildfire hazards and implement the Community Wildfire Protection Plan through fire fuels reduction and outreach. - 🚨 EMS & Rescue Response (Skamania County EMS)
Ongoing support for trail rescues, vehicle accidents, and emergency calls on federal lands—plus funding for a new response vehicle. - 🚒 Fire District #1
Operational funding for emergency response—including wildland firefighting, vehicle incidents, and hazardous materials—on federal lands near the district. - 🚒 Fire District #3
Request for reimbursement and equipment to improve emergency readiness and fire suppression in remote and federally managed areas.
🗓️ Public Hearing: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
📍 Skamania County Courthouse, Room 18
💻 Public comments may be submitted in writing to the Clerk of the Board.
⚡ Skamania PUD Board of Commissioners – June 17, 2025
The PUD Board reviewed rising bad debt, an uptick in animal- and tree-related outages, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance—including work at the Huber and Schoolhouse reservoirs.
🌲 Outages & Vegetation Trouble
General Manager Randy Payne presented the May outage report: 32 separate outages affected 1,522 customers. While many were planned maintenance, several were due to tree failures and small animals. A notable outage on May 21 hit over 1,100 customers on Washougal River Road.
🛠️ Projects in Progress
Project Manager Melanie Sharp gave updates on:
- Vegetation management near power lines (a key outage cause)
- Huber Reservoir tank replacement
- Schoolhouse Reservoir repainting
Crews are focused on replacing aging poles and staying ahead of fire season risks.
💸 Bad Debt Totals Climb
Bad debt refers to money that a customer owes to an organization—like a utility—but is unlikely to ever pay. For Skamania PUD, this usually means unpaid utility bills that are written off after multiple failed collection attempts.
Finance Manager Meagan Mikkonen reported $5,749.84 in uncollectible bills written off for June. Year-to-date, the total stands at $24,397, already exceeding 2024’s midyear figure.
🧾 Nearly $1M in Vouchers Approved
Commissioners unanimously approved $965,000+ in expenses, covering:
- Electric services
- Carson Water
- Underwood Water
📅 Upcoming Dates
Commissioners noted these upcoming events:
- WPUDA Conference: July 16–18
- Energy Northwest Meeting: July 23–24
🗣️ Other Notes
There was no public comment, and no new or old business discussed. An executive session was listed on the agenda but not noted in the open session.
🗓️ Next BOCC Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Skamania County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for:
📅 Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Skamania County Courthouse, Room 18, 240 NW Vancouver Ave, Stevenson, WA
💻 Remote Access: Join via Zoom
📞 Dial-in: 1 (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 889 0632 1210
📬 Submit public comments by 12:00 p.m. the day before the meeting to:
📧 sackos@co.skamania.wa.us
📬 P.O. Box 760, Stevenson, WA 98648
🗓️ Next PUD Meeting
The regularly scheduled meeting will take place on:
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m.
📍 Location: PUD Headquarters, 1492 Wind River Hwy, Carson, WA
💻 Remote Access: Visit the “Agendas & Minutes” page on the PUD website for connection details. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month