Commissioners discuss revenues, collections

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a variety of business at their meeting Tuesday.

They started off the day with a financial committee meeting. Treasurer Paula Holloway reported that because of declining revenue over the past few years, the amount of money in cumulative reserves has dropped from $9.18 million in 2000 to $4.95 million on February 28. In 2006, the county spent $584,753 from reserves and was able to deposit only $69,091.

Commissioners George Trott, Dan Cothren and Tom Doumit tentatively scheduled public forums for April 10, Grays River, and April 24, Cathlamet.

They said topics will include the county’s financial situation, the financial situation for the Wahkiakum County Family Practice Clinic and other issues to be determined.

Clinic Business Manager Kathy Patterson reported that in February, the clinic had billed $124,957 to a variety of health insurance carriers. She hoped to collect about 60 percent of that amount, which is the rate the carriers will compensate the service providers.

Patterson said the clinic has about $20,000 in bad debt; commissioners authorized her to contract with a debt collection agency in an effort to collect some of the amount owing.

The board also amended the county's six year transportation improvement plan and the 2007 road construction plan to include projects caused by flooding and storms last November.