Commissioners finish budgets, discuss LNG issues

Wahkiakum County commissioners discussed LNG, state budget cuts and other issues in a short meeting Tuesday morning.

Three citizens urged the commission to make sure local interests are protected in negotiations with NorthernStar Natural Gas for security for the company's proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.

The company has applied for permits to build a receiving and regassification facility at Bradwood, Ore., across the Columbia from Puget Island.

George Wehrfritz, Cathlamet mayor-elect, suggested the town be involved in the negotiations. He listed four concerns--development of industrial facilities in Cathlamet to serve the plant might conflict with the town's master development plan; siting a secure moorage area at Cathlamet for tugs and security boats could have a big impact on the town's waterfront; siting large warehouses would also have a big impact, and the town needs to be held harmless in any agreements with NorthernStar.

Wehrfritz also asked if NorthernStar had given the county a "drop dead" deadline for negotiations with the county to provide security for tankers and the plant.

"There is no drop dead date that I'm aware of," responded Commissioner Blair Brady.

Undersheriff Jon Dearmore told Wehrfritz after the meeting that the town could be a party to the negotiations.

Puget Island residents Frans Eykel and George Exum also offered questions and comments about the proposed LNG security negotiations.

Eykel urged county officials to take their time and make sure all concerns are addressed before siging any agreement. Once an agreement is signed, he said, there will be no re-negotiation. The county needs to make sure it gets something that will benefit citizens and the environment, he added.

Exum suggested the county and prosecuting attorney consult with the attorneys general of Washington and Oregon regarding jurisdictional issues.

Dearmore responded that the issue has been addressed with the US Coast Guard and US Marshals Office.

Wehrfritz also said it is advised that the county keep detailed minutes of its meetings with Northern Star for potential binding arbitration of disputes over contract language.

County representatives and Northern Star staff will meet in late January to continue the negotiations.

In other business, Building Department Administrator Chuck Beyer relayed a report that the state Department of Commerce has notified the county it won't have any money to pay a $43,000 grant to the county for an update of its Critical Area Ordinance.

County planners and planning consultants were ready to begin the process, which has a December, 2010 deadline, but Beyer said the proposed state budget which Governor Chris Gregoire unveiled last week cuts all funds for planning support.

State law requires the governor to propose a balanced budget, but Gregoire has said cuts from revenue shortfalls would be too severe; she plans to propose another budget when the legislature convenes in January.

Meanwhile, commissioners were happy to put the Critical Area Ordinance update on hold.

Commissioners reported they completed work on the county's 2010 budgets last Friday.

The Current Expense Fund budget has a $196,000 revenue deficit, Brady said. The commissioners will shift money from the County Road levy to cover the deficit.

Commissioners said no elected officials will receive raises again this year. The commission has negotiated a new contract with union employees that allows step and longevity raises but no other raises through 2010.