Wahkiakum County Commissioners

The Wahkiakum County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The Commissioners approved the Wahkiakum Health and Human Services request to continue working with Qualifacts for Enhanced Support Services. This service provides training, scheduling, patient information, notes, and billing for employees at HHS. The program costs $2,900 monthly and will come out of the behavioral health fund. Representatives of the Wahkiakum Youth Mentoring Program briefed the Commissioners on the positive impact they have seen in the youth of the community because of the program. The representatives urged community members to consider volunteering as mentors by going to the Wahkiakum Youth Mentoring Program and filling out an application.

Brandi Beedle of HHS introduced the two new Community Healthcare Advocates, Wahkiakum High school Juniors Parker and Cooper. The two presented the commissioners with an overview of the program’s mission and how they are implementing change in their school. The program provides resources to students for mental, physical, and emotional health. The advocates briefed the Commissioners on a few of their plans for providing support to their fellow students the rest of the year. “We are doing an activity called Warming Hands and Warming Hearts where we’ll serve hot drinks and mingle,” said Parker. Cooper concluded the presentation with, “We enjoy our jobs [as advocates] because it gives us the opportunity to help others in our school to access resources and become their best selves.”

The Animal Services agreement with Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group was approved for a contract for $2,000 for 2025. The Museum Service Agreement was also approved for $2,000 to the Wahkiakum Historical Society.

After the retirement of County Clerk Kay Holland, Commissioners approved the appointment of her successor Jess Reddon, who said, “I am extremely excited for this opportunity to serve the community as Wahkiakum County Clerk. With a strong focus on accessibility, innovation, integrity, and transparency I look forward to working closely with our community to make a positive impact. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility and I am eager to get started and serve the needs of our county to the best of my abilities.” After the appointment was passed unanimously, Rodden was sworn in by District Court Judge Heidi L. Heywood.

Judge Heywood was thrilled to have Rodden on the team, “Jess Rodden was hired by Wahkiakum County seven years ago in District Court and has been a consummate professional in the District Court and now the Superior Court. She has worked her way through the court system and has learned extremely quickly. She is a person who learns everything quickly and has a heart for public service, for accuracy, and she is incredibly fun to work with. The citizens of Wahkiakum County are very fortunate to have her.”