County officials control revenues

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday handled a variety of business ranging from budgets to surpluses.

Commissioners started the day in a workshop with Treasurer Paula Holloway and Auditor Diane Tischer to go over the county's financial situation.

Holloway reported that projected revenues for the Current Expense Fund, which includes most courthouse operations, took a hit when no one bid on a proposed sale of county trust timber. Officials had budgeted $42,750 as an estimated down payment.

Officials noted that there is lots of logging taking place on private timberlands; that will bring in excise tax revenue early next year. However, the timber market is soft, they said, and operations may slow in the winter.

Holloway said she will start collecting property taxes at the end of this month, which will help the cash on hand. A foreclosure sale is scheduled for early December and could bring in another chunk of cash.

Overall, said commission Chair Blair Brady, revenues stand to be $310,000 lower than expected.

In other business:

--Commissioners adopted a resolution increasing the excise tax on phone lines from 50 cents to 70 cents per line.

The funds are dedicated to the state's Enhanced 911 emergency dispatching system.

The resolution also implements a new state law imposing the tax on cell phones and other computerized phone services, including "interconnected voice of internet protocol services lines" whose place of primary use is located within Wahakiakum County.

--Commissioners adopted a resolution establishing the Wahkiakum County Real Property Rights Advisory Board.

The board is the result of a citizen petition urging the commission to set up a way for citizen input on county law and policies that could affect property rights. The board, which will consist of nine members, three from each commissioner district, will:

1. Review and provide comments on plans and policies developed by the county authority with effect on real property rights of county residents;

2. Advise the commission on matters relating to real property rights;

3. Recommend individuals to the commissioner for positions on the advisory board, and

4. Adopt by-laws for conduct of its business.

The board will meet whenever necessary.

Persons interested in serving on the board should contact the county commissioners' office; an advertisement with more detail is found elsewhere in this edition of The Eagle.

--The board declared surplus a 1981 Ford pickup used by the county fair; a 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix that has been a parts car, and a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sheriff's department patrol car.