The Klickitat County Commission held a hearing on the proposed 2026 budget, with very little testimony and the expectation it will be approved next week. Commissioners approved a general fund budget that included the usual one percent property tax increase allowed annually under state law. It also includes reorganization with a County Administrator position, an expectation of combining similar departments for efficiency, and a hiring freeze as the Commission embarks on a three-year effort to optimize the County’s fiscal situation. Commission Chair Ron Ihrig says he appreciated County departments holding the line in their 2026 plans. Commissioners left open the opportunity for written comment on the budget through Friday, and will hold a vote on it at their meeting next Tuesday.
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Hood River Launches Quick Surveys For Development Code Update
The City of Hood River has launched a series of short questionnaires to receive public input to help guide the on-going development code audit and update. The City and its consultant MIG designed the “Topic of the Week” questionnaires to be quick and help identify community priorities.” They are available in the planning department section of cityofhoodriver.gov. The Development Code implements the City’s Comprehensive Plan by regulating how land is used and developed in the City, specifying how different types of housing can be developed and make commercial areas more diverse and accessible. The audit and update is in response to new state requirements aimed at increasing housing availability and affordability, and gaps in the existing Code. Now in phase two, the Code Update, the team is identifying options for changes to code requirements. Feedback from these questionnaires will be presented to the Hood River City Council to help guide decisions on specific requirements of the Code.
Klickitat County Commissioners Talk Child Care In Workshop
Klickitat County Commissioners discussed child care during a workshop Tuesday morning attended by various local and state officials and advocates. The County is considered a “child care desert.” Klickitat County Child Care Committee Program Coordinator Johanna Roe said the lack of available child care isn’t just a problem for parents, but for the County’s businesses and economy as a whole. A wide range of ideas were provided, ranging from using sales tax monies to begin to build more child care options to removing some of the bureaucratic hurdles to establishing a child care business. But many in the discussion pointed out affordability for the parents has to be addressed.
After Record Of Decision, Fed Funds Decision Is Next Big Milestone For Bridge
After receiving the long awaited Record of Decision for plans for a new bridge, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority awaits its next, and maybe biggest, milestone, receiving an answer on its application with the Bridge Investment Program for $523 million in federal funding. The Authority has actually two applications for that program, which doles out money annually, but its latest funding cycle has been delayed. Commissioner Jacob Anderson says getting the Record of Decision helps in that effort. The authority continues to have a goal of getting the final funding pieces in place and all permits acquired to begin work late next year, with a goal of opening a new bridge in 2031.
WAGAP Looks To Raise Funds To Cover Budget Gaps
Washington Gorge Action Programs hopes to raise $125,000 this holiday season to help cover budget gaps. Various programs have been weathering funding freezes throughout the federal government shutdown and budget negotiations. WAGAP Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto says the local result is that some programs are paused during these periods, meaning families in need do not receive dollars to help pay for heating as the fall weather grows colder. Donations can be accepted in person at local WAGAP offices, Monday through Thursday, during regular business hours, at its office in Bingen, Stevenson, and Goldendale. Donors can also use the online system through WAGAP’s website at wagap.org and schedule a one-time donation or setting up an ongoing monthly donation.
Coat Drive Underway
Columbia Gorge Education Service District, Washington Gorge Action Programs, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, and The Next Door Inc. have teamed up with Insitu and WaFd Bank to host a winter coat drive for local area youth. Donations of new and like-new coats for all ages are being taken through the end of December. Coats can be donated in Hood River at Insitu in the fourth floor lobby of the Waucoma Building, The Next Door on 965 Tucker Road, WaFd Bank on 115 Oak, and Itty Bitty Thrifts on 1802 Cascade. In The Dalles donations are taken at WaFd Bank on 1014 W 6th Street, The Next Door at 1113 Kelly Avenue, Columbia Gorge ESD on the 2nd floor of Building 2 on the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus, The Coffee Shop on 116 E 2nd Street, and Mid-Columbia Community Action at the Gloria Center on 2505 W 7th Street. And in the Bingen/White Salmon area take donations to the Eagle Point Lobby at Insitu on 118 E Columbia River Way, Washington Gorge Action Programs on 115 W Steuben Street, Harvest Market on 77 NE Wauna Avenue, and Whitson Elementary School.
Wasco County Changes Domain Name
Wasco County has changed its official web domain to WascoCountyOR.gov. The previous website address, co.wasco.or.us, will be permanently redirected to the new address. County officials say the transition to a .gov domain provides trust and verification. The .gov top-level domain is strictly reserved for official U.S. governmental organizations, intended to confirm that users are accessing a legitimate, verified source of county information and services. The public is asked to update any saved browser bookmarks or shortcuts for Wasco County to the new WascoCountyOR.gov. All official county email addresses have also transitioned to the new format, so update your contacts to reflect this change.
Sewer Main Work Set For East 10th In The Dalles This Week
The Dalles Public Works will work this week on E 10th St. between Quinton St. and Roberts St. to replace and upgrade a stormwater sewer main. This project is part of the ongoing work on E 9th St. and Quinton St. A westbound lane closure on E 10th St. between Quinton St. and Roberts St. will remain in place for three days during the week. Full street closures on E 9th St. from Oregon St. to E 10th St. will remain in place. Motor vehicles and bicyclists will be detoured to adjacent side streets. Pedestrian and sidewalk access will remain open through the duration of this work. Work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each scheduled work day, but the trench must remain open until work is complete.
CGCC Water Line Repairs Completed
Repairs were completed Tuesday on a water main leak at the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles that closed most of the campus on Monday, and still had three buildings shut down Tuesday morning. Buildings 1, 2, and 3 were reopened at around noon Tuesday. Buildings 4 and 5, the Art Building and Regional Skills Center were open at the start of the day. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says the leak was found to originate under a sidewalk near the campus amphitheater. The Dalles campus will be fully operational Wednesday.
TD Council Approves Planning Commission Changes
The Dalles City Council approved an ordinance to streamline Planning Commission proceedings and setting the stage for using a hearings officer to make quasi-judicial decisions. Mayor Rich Mays notes the move will allow the Planning Commission to focus on legislative matters. The Planning Commission would still hear applications that require a judicial process. Appeals to the City Council remain a part of the process regardless of whether decisions are rendered from the Planning Commission or a hearings officer. An implementation of the hearings officer process will come next, with the expectation to have one in place by April.