County considers added budget items

During the September 16 meeting, Klickitat County Commissioners addressed rebuilding initiatives post-Burdoin fire while passing a supplemental budget. Planning Director Scott Edelman reported effective collaboration with the Gorge Commission, stating only one rebuilding application had been filed so far. He proposed allowing accessory dwelling units to be built without conditional use permits, which would streamline the process for applicants and save costs. The commissioners approved a supplemental budget of $2. 5 million, but they removed four requests totaling over $200,000 from the Sheriff’s Department.

Commissioner Ron Ihrig indicated that sick leave payouts for retiring officers would be reconsidered at the year's end based on available funds. Additionally, the Emergency Management Department withdrew a placeholder request for hiring a planner due to existing community recovery efforts. The consent agenda included approvals for several projects and a public hearing on a criminal justice tax set for October 7, 2025. These discussions reflect a proactive approach to recovery and budget management in Klickitat County.