County government needs tax increases, commissioners say

The Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners voted to raise taxes at their December 30 meeting for the first time in 15 years.

The board also discussed the ferry project, the fairgrounds and switched leadership roles for the new year.

“I don’t see how we can continue to not take that 1 percent a year increase when inflation is running so high and we are continuing to fall behind in our costs,” Commissioner Blair Brady said. “We can take from the road fund, but our roads will go to hell. We know we need to repave Puget Island which will cost millions of dollars. Our expenditures well exceed our revenues even with tax increases. At some point, we have to make the hard call.”

‘We’re going to have to go the legislature in the next two years,” Commissioner Dan Cothren added. “We’ll get hit with ‘have you done everything you can in your county to help yourself?’ I’ve been hit with that quite a bit. We’re doing these budgets and we’ve been scrapping every year. I feel that we’ve done really well for this county. I don’t like it either, but I think we need to raise taxes too.”

After much discussion, the commissioners voted to raise taxes 1 percent across the board, except for the road fund, which will be increased 3.5 percent.

The increase in the Current Expense levy would cost the owners of a $150,000 home about $7.50 per year, said Assessor Bill Coons.

The increase in the County Road levy would cost the same homeowners $2.55 per year.

Coons said the county's valuation was $401 million, up from $385.7 million valuation in 2013.

Part of the impetus for the above action was Public Works Director Pete Ringen's request for an extension to a supplemental consulting agreement with David Evans and Associates for Ferry Landing Modifications as well as a contract agreement with Legacy Contracting. The two agreements are necessary to complete the ferry project and will cost the county another $400,000 dollars.

“The costs have exceeded what were planned,” Ringen said. “I don’t see any alternative. I wish I did. We’ve just got to get it done.”

Ringen was considering asking for advanced regional Surface Transportation Program Funds. This would involve borrowing funds allotted for future years to have money now, while doing with less during those years.

“Is there anyway we can do this without the advanced regional STP?” Brady asked.

“Yes,” Ringen said. “We can do it with our funds but we have to be careful not to stretch the road fund too far. We don’t want to overextend ourselves as far as being able to pay our bills.”

Commissioners voted to transfer the $400,000 from the road fund.

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Masters, Mates and Pilots to extend their working agreement for another year, but it brought up more of the financial stress that the county is feeling. According to Ringen, union members fought hard for health care benefits, but commissioners had to say no.

“That is a real concern for everybody,” Cothren said. “Even elected officials. Hopefully we can do some things with some timber revenue. That is kind of looking up. Maybe we can get some more money in the coffers and get on a steady keel. I’m pretty upbeat about it. I’m going to fight like hell to make sure this county gets its just revenue. Hopefully down the road we can provide health care benefits. Right now with the numbers we have, we just can’t afford it.”

Port District 2 has shown interest in taking over the county fairgrounds and overseeing the fair. Cothren suggested a workshop to hammer out the issues involving the possible transfer of responsibility.

“Right now there isn’t anybody there through the winter,” Cothren said. “I look at Port 2 taking over as a win-win. There would be someone there all the time and they could utilize the property. My concern is making sure that the fair is still operational.”

Commissioner Mike Backman agreed.

“It’s important that we keep our fair,” he said.

Brady confessed that he had been in favor of something like this for a long time.

“It’s pretty stagnant down there,” Cothren continued. “It’s not getting utilized enough. We need to keep it going and they could branch out and make it something big.”

Finally, the commissioners revolved leadership roles for the new year. Backman moved into chair and Cothren took over duties as vice-chair.