Commissioners approve budget resolutions

During Tuesday's meeting of the Wahkiakum County Commissioners, Wahkiakum Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5297 Commander Bill Tawater presented VFW Dispatcher Eric Cothren and EMT Will Lutz with honorary plaques and certificates. The two were recognized at the state level for their work, and went on to be recognized at the national level as well.

The commissioners then voted unanimously to re-appoint Lily Kolditz and Laurie Williams to their new terms on the Real Property Rights Advisory Board effective Jan. 1, 2026 and running through Dec. 31, 2028. The two board members' current terms are set to expire on Dec. 31. The commissioners then voted unanimously to re-appoint Brad Moon and Jay Brightbill to the Civil Service Board effective Jan. 1, 2026 and running through Dec. 31, 2031. The two board members' current terms are set to expire on Dec. 31. The commissioners then voted unanimously to re-appoint Planning Commissioners Bruce Craven and Randy Vogt to new four-year terms, effective Jan. 1, 2026 and running through Dec. 31, 2029. The two commissioners' current terms expire Dec. 31.

A public hearing was held to discuss the supplemental appropriation for the 2025 budget. According to the meeting packet, the supplemental appropriation "is to allocate unanticipated revenue." This revenue includes $20,000 to election reserve, $310,000 to CR (cumulative reserve) criminal justice, $600,000 to opioid, $310,000 to CR electronic communications, $160,000 to radio communication, $20,000 to rural county public facilities, $630,000 to capital improvement, and $85,000 to ER&R (equipment rental and revolving).

The commissioners then unanimously approved three resolutions pertaining to the budget. Resolution 195-25 supplements the 2025 budget for Wahkiakum County. Resolution 196-25 authorizes line item amendments and revisions within the 2025 budget. Finally, Resolution 197-25 adopts the final 2026 budget of Wahkiakum County. Following budget discussions, the commissioners approved the renewal of a contract with AWC (Association of Washington Cities) Safety Alliance for 2026.

The commissioners then gave notice of a public hearing to be held Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. The hearing pertains to an ordinance "to adopt an interlocal agreement and charter for the creation of a public development authority to establish the Upper Grays River Community Forest."

The commissioners then approved Resolution 198-25 pertaining to "the sale of the Cathlamet Family Practice Clinic located at 335 Una Avenue." According to the packet, the clinic is "being sold as-is to the Cowlitz Family Health Center...with a buy-back stipulation if the property owner ceases to be in the business of offering some form of health care."

The commissioners approved a lease agreement with local group WHEELhouse "for the lease of the Johnson House, located at 80 Division St. in Cathlamet. WHEELhouse has been working for months to develop a way to preserve the historic Cathlamet site. Per the lease agreement, WHEELhouse will pay $500 a month, as well as cover insurance costs.

The commissioners unanimously approved the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) for the Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) contribution. According to the meeting's packet, the current PFML rate is increasing from .92 percent to 1.13 percent. Employers "are required to pay at least 28.57 percent of the 1.14 percent premium."

The replacement of the "Covered Bridge Road Sign" was briefly discussed, and a couple of the commissioners even offered to donate some money to go to the replacement. There was also brief discussion of funding perhaps coming from the tourism or historical funds, but no decision was made.

During the commissioner reports, it was mentioned Johnson Park was reorganizing its board. Dan Cothren briefly discussed last week's power outage. Following the commissioner reports, a 20-minute executive session was held to "evaluate qualifications of candidates for vacancy in County Commissioner, Dist. 3." Following the executive session, no action was taken.