First commissioners' forum next Tuesday

Wahkiakum County commissioners will hold the first of two community forums planned for April.

The forum will be 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Johnson Park, the former Rosburg School Building.

Commissioners plan to discuss the financial crisis of the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic, potential uses of the Johnson Park facility, and other items the public may raise.

A second forum will be held April 24, 6:30 p.m., in the River Street Building, Cathlamet.

County officials and clinic staff have been meeting regularly to discuss how to deal with clinic financing. Officials say they knew they would likely have to support the clinic when the county bought it two years ago from PeaceHealth, but deficits have been running higher than expected.

Commissioners and other officials are preparing informational material to present at the forums.

Commissioner Tom Doumit announced Tuesday that the county’s last minute plea to the state legislature may pay off: The Senate budget includes a one-time $250,000 appropriation for the county to help cover clinic costs while a solution is sought. The appropriation wasn’t in the House budget; the House and Senate are meeting in conference to bring the two budgets into alignment.