Commissioners increase deputy pay

Commissioners met the day after Labor Day to approve several important measures.

First, the commissioners approved a letter of support for the development of a source for drinking water on Puget Island. Because the Island's drinking water crosses the Puget Island bridge, the current source is susceptible to natural or man-made disasters which would leave the Island residents without potable water. The new source would also be a back up for the Town of Cathlamet.

County employees will now get June 19 off from work as the commissioners approved Juneteenth as a recognized holiday. Dan Cotheren acknowledged that since state agencies are closed on this day county workers have difficulties getting work done.

Hoping to improve the retention of sheriff’s deputies, the commissioners approved a pay increase of 5 to 5.5 percent for deputy and patrol sergeant positions. They hope to stop the trend of sending new recruits through the academy only to have them leave the county for higher paying jobs.

The commission endorsed a proclamation declaring September 11 as 911 day acknowledging all those behind the scenes that manage the 911 telephone number system and declared September as National Recovery Month.

Commissioners meet Tuesdays at the Wahkiakum County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend in person or to participate in the meeting by Zoom.