Backman withdraws levy lift proposal

Commissioner Mike Backman has withdrawn his proposal to fund various community programs with county levy funds.

Backman announced at Tuesday's meeting of the board of commissioners that he wanted to wait till 2016 to send the proposal to the voters.

That will allow more time for proponents to explain the proposal to the public, and it will also allow officials to make sure legal details were correct. Otherwise, the board would have had to approve the ballot language next week in order to make the election ballot this November.

"We'll give it a year," Backman said. "We'll hold some town halls. I don't want it to be my thing; it needs to be for the people and by the people. I will work with the people and do what the people want."

There was discussion over whether or not voters would need to approve an increase in taxes or if the county already had banked levy capacity that could cover the proposed $140,000 expenditure.

"To me it shows the need to look at a park and recreation district instead of a levy lift," said Commissioner Blair Brady. "The educational piece is critical."

(Editor's note: Backman's complete proposal is found at the end of this article.)

Meanwhile, commissioners approved a resolution to put an advisory vote on the November ballot seeking public opinion on a solid waste control ordinance.

The measure arose from public input seeking control over junk vehicles and other solid waste accumulating on private property.

The proposition for the voters will say, "Should Wahkiakum County enact an ordinance defining "junk," "junk vehicles," and "solid waste," and regulating the quantity of junk, junk vehicles, and solid waste on private property that is visible from the public right of way?"

The election is non-binding; commissioners have said they will consider the results but not be bound by them when they act on the proposed ordinance.

The resolution describes the proposed ordinance in an explantory note:

"Among other things, the ordinance would require the removal of any more than three junk vehicles visible from the public right of way. Enforcement mechanisms would start with requests for voluntary compliance, and also include a system of infractions and abatement at the responsible party's expense if the responsible party does not cooperate voluntarily.

"The Wahkiakum County Health Department would have primary responsibility to enforce the ordinance, but determinations of the Health Department could be appealed to the Board of Commissioners of Wahkiakum County."