Wahkiakum County Commissioners report

Opening the meeting on Tuesday, May 27, Dan Turner made a public comment to remind everyone that he will be at the car show on Saturday for anyone that would like to sign up for a library card and that the summer reading program be Thursdays at Erickson Park from 1 to 2 p.m., beginning June 26. Carrie Shofner, WSU county extension director, requested funds to help cover the cost of hiring a temporary employee to fill in while the grants and office coordinator is on leave for three weeks. The commissioners approved $1,438 for wages and $158 for benefits. County Auditor Nicci Bergseng requested approval to extend the contract term with the Washington (DOL) for the county to provide licensing through June 30, 2030.

County Engineer Paul Lacy brought to the attention of the commissioners the need to rename the southeastern portion of Steamboat Slough Road, as it was on the Skamokawa side and was causing confusion for many, including law enforcement. The new name would be White Tail Road. Lacy pointed out that renaming the road would require renumbering the homes along it, and many residents do not want their addresses to change. The Commissioners passed a motion allowing Lacy to draft a resolution regarding the road name change.

Patty Dursteler, Fairgrounds manager, requested approval to order the concrete at the price of $994 for the cement pad to place the storage trailer, which was recently purchased for the fairgrounds by the county. The commissioners also approved Dursteler’s request to proceed with the following steps to secure approval for the NEXT youth summer work program. This program, through NEXT Energy in Clatskanie, would cover the cost of employees coming to work at the fairgrounds over the summer at no charge to the county.