Commissioners' Report

During Tuesday's meeting, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners unanimously approved three agreements with Tyler Technologies: an e-filing and defendant access payment processing agreement, a payment processing license and services agreement for Wahkiakum District Court, and the defendant access opt-in agreement. According to the meeting's agenda "there is no financial impact unless the agreements are not approved," and "there are no funds needed" for the agreements."

A public hearing was then held regarding a resolution to change the name of Barr-Durrah Road to Barr Road. According to Engineering Technician Benjamin McClain, the signage of said road, which is located near Gray's River and Rosburg, labels the road "Barr Road." However, according to McClain, "the name on file with the public works department and the name that is used when applying for grants through multiple grants programs is Barr-Durrah Road." McClain noted "no additional cost is expected" with changing the road's name. The commissioners unanimously approved.

It was announced during Tuesday's meeting Wahkiakum County "has received ferry boat funding to supplement ferry expenses in the amount of $415,600," and the only action necessary was the chairperson's signature. Later, a motion was made to "approve and sign the right of way procedures and the agency's waiver valuation. According to Tuesday's agenda, the county "will be using federal funds to acquire right of way for the federally funded Wilson Creek Bridge East Valley Road project' but also "needs an agency's waiver valuation" if they do not want to pay for a formal appraisal of the property. The commissioners moved to approve the chair's signature on both the right of way procedures and the agency's waiver valuation.

During the individual commissioner's reports, Commissioner Lee Tischer discussed news from other counties in the state, specifically Pierce County. According to Tischer, Pierce County "is looking at possibly going bankrupt over lawsuits that happened during the 1980s at a juvenile center" there. Pierce recently had seven adults sue the county and each has received a million-dollar settlement. According to Tischer, "there's another hundred on the list to come before them and they're afraid they would have to pay a million each." Considering the fact these actionable occurrences are 40 years past, Tischer noted there is no statute of limitation when it involves juveniles.

When Commissioner Dan Cothren gave his report, he discussed a recent community forest meeting involving himself, Columbia Land Trust, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), among others. According to Cothren, structure and the ability to purchase land were discussed at the meeting. Cothren noted public access "is huge" for the county. When describing some of the land he was surveying, Cothren noted one of the problems being the trees were "too young," being "right at 40." Cothren's age preference was 55, noting if you get over 55 and into 60, "tree huggers come out." Returning the discussion back to the meeting, Cothren described it as "long" but also "good" and "one of our better meetings."

Cothren also mentioned the fact that some timber companies do not allow public access to the properties. Considering the companies don't get charged until they actually log, Cothren hinted he would like to work on "having some bigger legislation." Cothren said, "My vision is if these timber companies do not allow public access, then we need to be looking at a tax, more than what's being paid now by them." Cothren then applauded Columbia Land Trust, noting the community forest "would have never happened if it weren't for them." Referring to the land trust, Cothren said, "Their protection is for the watershed; fish. We want to protect that, too, but with that, we have to protect the property owners...This is a step to get there."

Prior to the meeting's adjournment, a continuation was announced for Monday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m. On Monday's agenda will be a pair of public hearings. The first will be regarding "revenue sources for the 2026 current expense budget, including the consideration of a property tax increase. The second public hearing is regarding the "2026 final budget and setting of levies." During Monday's meeting, there will also be a "resolution to certify junior taxing district property tax levies."