Water system consolidation meeting

At the the joint Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners and Town of Cathlamet Council Consolidation meeting, Erin Wilson of the PUD and Sarah Clark of the Town presented the Town's 2024 budget (excluding water and sewer utilities) to better understand what the budget would look like if the Consolidation were to happen.

Erin Wilson stated that the PUD's bottom line is "do no harm" to the customer. Sarah Clarke stated that there is still work to be done to get a better snapshot of what the Town's budget would look like with Consolidation.

There were many back-and-forth questions for Sarah and Erin from the Town Council and PUD. No decisions were made. This is a committed process that is going to take time and effort from everyone to understand the facts. The Town and PUD admitted that there is room for improvement with regards to getting the information out. For example, the well drilling on Little Island has nothing to do with the Consolidation.

It was encouraging to see how many people attended the meeting and submitted comments.

Public Comment 1: With the cloud that is looming over the potential Consolidation we should all move forward without fear and allow the PUD to do what they do best and let the Town work through the new challenges to continue to support the library, the pool, and the PCA which is what this community is for. I believe there is a solution, and we should move forward to access the millions of dollars in State funding. 2: I have recently heard of Town Council meetings where there have been comments made about defunding the library, the pool, and even the Sheriff's Department which is appalling to me. It is shocking how this Town is handling it. 3: We need a tangible, long-range plan to see how the Town is going to survive. 4: I am concerned about the water quality of the "Little Island Well". 5: Will there be a public vote for this Consolidation? 6: I am concerned about rate increases for sewer and water in the Town of Cathlamet. 7: I am not in favor of the well on Little Island.

Council and Board Comment 1: The well on Little Island and the Consolidation are mutually exclusive. 2: The figures and information in the Consolidation study came from our consulting firm Gray and Osborne per the DOH grant requirements. 3: The Town Council and the PUD agree that there will be a public vote. 4: Thanks to everyone who attended via zoom or in-person and via letters and email, this process is still in the planning phase. 5: We decision makers admit that we need to do a better job to get the proper information out to the residents of Wahkiakum County.

Just a reminder that the Consolidation study is posted on both the Town's and PUD's website.