Commissioners hear reports, handle business

The Wahkiakum County board of commissioners formally adopted new ferry fares and handled other items of business when it met Tuesday.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen said the August Hanson Bridge over the Elochoman River at Beaver Creek should be open this Friday. The contractor is trying to complete paving and finish work this week, and bad weather could delay the opening.

The new ferry fares take effect January 1. The car and pickup fare went from $3 per trip to $5. The 44-trip frequent traveler ticket book goes from $75 to $100 this year and $120 in 2011. The 22-trip frequent traveler book goes from $40 to $50 this year and will increase again in 2011.

Crystal Stanley, business manager of the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic, reported the clinic made enough to meet its payroll for October. She told the board that clinicians will limit appointments in the last week of December, before the clinic transfers to the Family Health Center, for bookkeeping efficiency.

Commissioners approved purchase of a 14-passenger van bus for Wahkiakum on the Move. Program manager Chris Holmes said funding comes from a $50,902 federal grant and $12,726 from county Medicaid revenue already budgeted for the purchase.