Commissioners act on plan, other issues

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a variety of business items Tuesday, ranging from a regional transportation plan to dealing with federal agencies.

Planning consultants Judith Donovan and Matt Buchanan from the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Council of Governments presented a proposed update for a five-county regional transportation plan.

The goal of the plan is to enhance all forms of transportation, including pedestrians and bicycles. The first goal is to explore methods to improve safety at intersections. The second goal calls for improvements for bicycles and pedestrians. The third goal promotes economic development, with a policy to address parking issues. Remaining goals maintain and expand existing infrastructures and systems.

The plan will be combined with others from other counties for further review as a comprehensive document.

Assessor Bill Coons addressed the commissioners to say that shifting funds from the County Road levy to the Current Expense Fund isn't deficit spending but is permitted by statute as "shifting levy capacity."

"Thank you for your comment," said Commissioner Brady.

In response to a question from Treasurer Tammy Peterson, commissioners discussed a proposal to seek property taxes to fund programs such as the county fair.

"We'll take it to the people to see if they want to raise funds for the programs they want to have," said Commission Chair Mike Backman, the leading proponent of the proposal.

Commissioner Blair Brady said he is concerned that raising the levy for the extracurricular programs would limit the county's ability to increase the levy for its own needs in the future.

"Forming a park and recreation district would not affect our ability for increasing our funding," Brady said.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said he is concerned about the timing of the proposal. The county is encouraging residents of Puget Island Erosion Control Districts to approve a levy to support bank maintenance projects, and another levy would be too much for property owners to support.

"The timing of this jeopardizes some things," he said.

"The idea is that you give them an option," Backman said. "Right now, there is no option."

Backman is continuing to meet with community groups to explain the proposal.