The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday displayed differing ideas for funding the Wahkiakum Community Center in Cathlamet.

The county is responsible for staffing the center, and it was managed by an Americorps program volunteer until this summer. The county was unable to obtain another Americorps coordinator, and the center has been open sparsely for pre-existing, volunteer led activities.

In response to pleas from volunteers, commissioners assigned the Health and Human Services Department the task of finding funds for a center coordinator. Department Director Sue Cameron reported in the board's budget process that the department could fund a part-time coordinator with $5,000 in mental health program money.

On Tuesday, Mental Health Director Chris Holmes introduced Kelly Patterson as the new center coordinator.

Holmes and Patterson presented a vision statement, job description, list of specific duties and center hours. Patterson's wages will total about $10,000 per year, they said.

Holmes and Cameron said they wanted to generate $15,000 to cover operations. They said they had a $5,000 share from the Town of Cathlamet and another likely $5,000 share from another agency.

That financial report led commissioners to express their views on funding.

Commissioners Blair Brady and Mike Backman said they thought the program should rely on the town and agency funding and proceed with a minimum of county funds.

Brady acknowledged the value of center programs, but pointed out that the county has had to deal with revenue shortfalls for the past two years and will likely continue to have to do so.

"I recommend not committing to $5,000 but picking up what you (program managers) can't get," Brady said. "I'd be much more comfortable if we contribute on an as-needed basis."

Brady added that the goal is to have the center become self sustaining. After six months of operation, that should be known, he said.

Backman indicated he wasn't satisfied with the arrangement, and he wanted to coordinate community center operations with activities at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park, Rosburg, and he didn't want to see any favoritism in funding the center at Cathlamet.

"Are we funding the community center or the health department," he asked. "I want to know what you're going to do. Get grants? Projects?

"These things need to be answered before I commit money. The job description doesn't break it down."

Holmes replied that the goal is to get the center in operation and have Patterson start seeking grants and other funding besides coordinating activities.

"I get it; we bootstrap these things all the time," he said. "We want it to be sustainable. That's why we've moved from Americorps to a paid coordinator. Going month to month makes it hard to program."

Backman wanted more time before the board approves funding for the center.

"I'd like to look at it and see what will happen," Backman said. "If we're going to spend $5,000 there, then let's look at $5,000 for them (Johnson Park) and see what they would do."

Members of the community center advisory board didn't like linking the two programs.

"It (Johnson Park) is a very different situation in how it's organized," said Craig Brown.

Backman wasn't swayed.

"One side (Johnson Park) is completely volunteer," he said. "On this side, you have to have somebody who's specially trained.

"It has to be fair and equitable."

Commissioner Dan Cothren had said he was willing to fund the $5,000 and go through the budget to find a source of funds. However, hearing his colleagues' comments, he abandoned that course of action.

"I won't get the vote (for that)," he said. "I'll support what you're saying (operating on the non-county funding with the county contributing as needed)."

Brady said he wanted to examine the budget and look at funds that might not be spent and which could be channeled to the community center.

Holmes said the group would come back in February with reports on usage and costs.