Council to consider clinic fund request

The Cathlamet Town Council will consider a request to contribute $50,000 to the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic when it meets April 20.

The council will hold a public hearing on the proposal at its 7 p.m. meeting in the Cathlamet Fire Hall.

According to information from Mayor Dick Swart, Council Member David Goodroe has asked that an item be placed under new business: Withdraw $50,000 from the town's "timber reserve fund" and donate it to Wahkiakum County to help pay salaries at the clinic .

"I understand that he is making this request in his capacity of chairman of the Wahkiakum County Family Practice Clinic Advisory Board, and also as a town council member," he said.

The mayor also said statutes require a two-thirds majority of the council for such an action, or four votes in favor on the five member council.

Swart said he has asked Town Attorney Tom Doumit to speak on the Council's authority to perform the proposed action, and he has also asked Clerk-Treasurer Sylvia Costich to speak on the fiscal impact of reducing the reserves at a time when the town is increasing its loans and funded debt to pay for major mandatory public works projects.

At least one council member may want to propose a loan as an alternative to a donation, Swart added.

"Although I initially had some concern that this issue could divert the council's, the staff's, and the public's attention from the major decisions needed regarding the new waste water treatment plant, it is probably best to deal with it head on," Swart said. "The clinic is very important to this community. It will be illuminating to see how the council responds to this request for decision-making in the face of uncertainty."