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# 🏛️ Skamania County Board of Commissioners - April 28–29, 2025
- URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/skamania-county-board-of-commissioners-april-28-29-2025/
- Published: 2025-04-30T05:01:20.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-30T06:47:47.000Z
- Description: A new property purchase, youth forestry funding, and an apology from Friends of the Gorge — here’s what happened at this week’s County Commission meetings.
- Author: Dispatch Squatch
- Tags: Skamania County Board of Commissioners, Skamania County Planning Commission

A new property purchase, youth forestry funding, and an apology from Friends of the Gorge — here’s what happened at this week’s County Commission meetings. 

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## 📅 Monday, April 28 — Special Session

### 🧭 Planning Commission Interview

Commissioners interviewed **Dan LeSieur**, a local resident, for an open seat on the **Skamania County Planning Commission**. LeSieur shared his experience with local permitting challenges and expressed his commitment to fairness, property rights, and preserving rural character.

👉 [Read the full April 28 summary](https://www.skamaniacounty.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1701/165?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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## 📅 Tuesday, April 29 — Regular Meeting

### 🗣️ Public Comment

**Friends of the Columbia Gorge** issued a public apology for a past social media post on Friends' Facebook Page that criticized county planning staff, suggesting that county land use planners "lacked expertise" if the Gorge Commission were defunded.

Executive Director **Kevin Gorman** clarified that the comment was poorly worded, apologized, and praised county planners’ professionalism. **Renee Tkach**, Conservation Director at Friends and a local resident, also spoke briefly to support Gorman's apology and stressed the desire for future collaboration with the county.

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### ✅ Official Actions and Approvals

- **🏢 Real Estate Purchase**  
The county approved a **$1.05 million purchase agreement** for 266 SW Second Ave, Stevenson. The building may support future county operations and is under a 45-day review period.  
📄 [Read the purchase agreement](https://www.skamaniacounty.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1701/165?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)
- **🧠 Behavioral Health**  
Approved a contract amendment with **Carelon Behavioral Health** to expand services and funding.
- **🚐 ADA Accessibility**  
Approved purchase of **two ADA-accessible minivans** for Senior Services using grant funds.
- **🚛 Equipment Clarification**  
A consent agenda correction clarified the county is purchasing **one** dump truck, not three.
- **💸 Vouchers Paid**: $149,009.41

📄 [View the full April 29 agenda](https://www.skamaniacounty.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1701/165?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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### 🏗 Department & Program Updates

- **🌲 Forests Youth Success Program**  
County leaders committed **bridge funding** to ensure the youth forestry program proceeds this summer despite delays in federal reimbursement.
- **🏘 Affordable Housing**  
Ongoing planning and partnership discussions with housing nonprofits continue for potential developments in Skamania County.
- **🔥 Fire Season Preparedness**  
Anticipated early fire season prompted planning for burn bans and community education.
- **🚧 Infrastructure & Roads**  
Reports included major water loss investigations, new road upgrades, and use of surplus Forest Service guardrails to cut costs.

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### 📬 Get Involved

Skamania residents can participate in public meetings in person or via Zoom.  
To submit a written comment: **publiccomments@co.skamania.wa.us**

📎 [Access full meeting materials here](https://www.skamaniacounty.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1701/165?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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*Thanks for staying informed and involved in your local government.*