[{"_1":2,"_94":-5,"_95":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6300336,"mediaKeyId","2493224-b97f5a46be5d634254b30b9dc422d5d5","parentId",2493224,"title","Skamania County discusses taking ownership of Underwood water tank after PUD replacement; no final decision","audioSeconds",320,"startMs",1378000,"endMs",1698000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493224-b97f5a46be5d634254b30b9dc422d5d5&start=1378&end=1698","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6300336/Skamania-County/Washington/Skamania-County-discusses-taking-ownership-of-Underwood-water-tank-after-PUD-replacement-no-final-decision","mediaUrl","author","Skamania County, WA","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Skamania County Board of Commissioners spent a substantial portion of its Feb. 19 meeting discussing a water tank in the Underwood area that the local Public Utility District plans to replace.

Commissioners said the PUD is replacing an aging metal, bolt‑together tank whose seals are failing and which is leaking. The local fire district told the board it does not want to take ownership of the tank, and the PUD has asked the county to decide quickly because ground prep for the replacement will begin soon.

A county commissioner said they were “inclined towards taking it on and see how it pans out,” citing the value of having a local water supply for fire suppression after recent wildland fires and the operational challenges crews faced when water was not immediately available. That same commissioner and county staff also raised condition and liability concerns: the PUD's assessment and photographs show mechanical and maintenance issues, and staff warned the county would need to be ready to repair and maintain the structure if it accepted it.

County staff reported the PUD indicated a fill cost of $210 to fill the tank; participants discussed using the tank seasonally (for fire season) or filling it for tender operations. Commissioners and staff also discussed whether the tank's outlet and distribution would be adequate for firefighting, whether pumping and connections would need modification, and whether a smaller replacement tank (for example, a shorter‑lived 50,000 gallon option) might be preferable in the long run.

Several commissioners said the fire district's refusal to accept the tank is a “red flag” and urged caution; one commissioner voiced concern that accepting the tank would create a long‑term expectation and must be evaluated against likely repair costs and maintenance responsibilities. County staff and commissioners discussed scheduling additional discussion or a brief workshop later the same day or next week to provide the PUD an answer before ground work begins.

No formal motion to accept or reject the tank was taken at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to seek more technical information, cost estimates and options for phased or limited use (for example, maintaining the tank only in summer months) and to clarify the PUD timeline for construction so the board can respond.

The PUD contact named in the discussion (Randy) told commissioners the decision will affect how the PUD proceeds with ground preparation. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with Randy and the PUD and to report back with a recommendation and cost estimates prior to any formal acceptance.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Skamania County meeting 02-19-25 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Skamania County commissioners discussed whether to accept ownership of a leaking, bolt‑together water tank in Underwood that the Public Utility District plans to replace; the local fire district declined ownership and no formal decision was made.","taxTitle","Skamania County, Washington","taxId",68745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6300342,"Skamania County designates Skamania EDC as county ADO; consent agenda and vouchers approved",538,279000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493224-b97f5a46be5d634254b30b9dc422d5d5&start=279&end=817","/articles/6300342/Skamania-County/Washington/Skamania-County-designates-Skamania-EDC-as-county-ADO-consent-agenda-and-vouchers-approved","The Skamania County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 voted to designate the Skamania Economic Development Council as the county's Associated Development Organization after amending the meeting agenda to add the item as a walk‑in.

The designation was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by voice vote. The board also approved the consent agenda and approved vouchers dated Feb. 19, 2025, totaling $275,237.52, with $99,859.30 charged to the county's current expense fund covering warrant numbers 202372 through 202446.

The agenda amendment to add the ADO designation was proposed early in the meeting and carried on a voice vote after a motion to add the walk‑in item. Later in the meeting the board considered the specific designation. A commissioner moved “to designate the Skamania Economic Development Council as the designated associated development organization for Skamania County,” and another commissioner seconded the motion; the board voted in favor.

County staff noted the ADO role is the Department of Commerce's mechanism for channeling certain state economic development funds and technical assistance to local projects through a designated local partner. Commissioners described the designation as routine and consistent with past practice, and referenced Kevin Waters as the head of the Skamania Economic Development Council.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend the agenda to add the ADO walk‑in item: approved by voice vote (no roll‑call tally recorded in the minutes).

- Motion to approve the consent agenda: approved by voice vote (no roll‑call tally recorded in the minutes).

- Motion to approve vouchers dated 02/19/2025 (warrants 202372–202446): approved by voice vote; total $275,237.52; current expense $99,859.30.

- Motion to designate the Skamania Economic Development Council as the county's Associated Development Organization (ADO): moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records no roll‑call tally or individual named votes.

The board did not record individualized roll‑call votes for these actions in the public transcript; all three motions were approved by the board without further amendments. The Department of Commerce role as the state entity that uses ADOs to deliver certain funds and services was discussed, and commissioners described the designation as routine.","The Skamania County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 amended its agenda to add and approve a walk‑in item designating the Skamania Economic Development Council as the county's Associated Development Organization. The board also approved the consent agenda and vouchers totaling $275,237.52.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":50,"_51":91,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6300331,"Public commenter urges county to protect voting data, asks about sheriff's ICE protocols and press release distribution",138,64000,202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493224-b97f5a46be5d634254b30b9dc422d5d5&start=64&end=202","/articles/6300331/Skamania-County/Washington/Public-commenter-urges-county-to-protect-voting-data-asks-about-sheriffs-ICE-protocols-and-press-release-distribution","Mary Revere used the meeting’s public comment period to raise concerns about unauthorized access to government data and to press the county for clarity on sheriff protocols when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) approaches the community.

Revere described recent media reports alleging outside individuals had accessed government data and called the situation “frightening” and “angry.” She said voting data should be treated as sacrosanct and asked for assurances that “nobody without proper access and proper credentials can access it.”

Revere also said she had discussed ICE protocols with the sheriff, who pointed her to a press release the sheriff had issued a few months earlier. Revere told the board she was concerned that the sheriff “did not put that press release in our paper of record, because she doesn't want to,” and asked whether county press releases from governing bodies should be published in the county’s paper of record to reach community members who do not use the internet or social media.

Revere asked the commissioners to clarify what the county’s protocols will be when ICE “comes calling” and to ensure that residents — regardless of immigration status — are protected from being detained without clear procedures and community notice. The board acknowledged the comment and the clerk of the board was cited as the contact point for follow‑up questions; no formal response or policy change was made at the meeting.

The board closed the public comment period after asking if there were additional speakers; there were none.

Revere's remarks were delivered during the meeting's public comment period and the board directed residents to the clerk of the board for follow up and additional information.","During public comment, Mary Revere urged the county to safeguard government data — particularly voting records — and asked for clarification on sheriff protocols for responding to ICE and whether sheriff press releases should be published in the county's paper of record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Skamania County discusses taking ownership of Underwood water tank after PUD replacement; no final decision

Skamania County designates Skamania EDC as county ADO; consent agenda and vouchers approved

Public commenter urges county to protect voting data, asks about sheriff's ICE protocols and press release distribution