Skamania County commissioners agree to schedule public interviews for planning commission vacancy

Skamania County commissioners agreed on April 22 to have staff contact two applicants and schedule public interviews for a vacant seat on the county Planning Commission, with the intent of completing interviews before the May 6 Planning Commission meeting.

The action formalizes a request from several commissioners to hold interviews rather than rely solely on staff recommendations. Commissioners said a public interview process would provide more consistent vetting for future appointments and give candidates a clearer sense of upcoming issues they would face on the commission.

Commissioners discussed scheduling options for interviews as soon as the following week, including a possible Monday workshop or Tuesday slot. Staff said they would reach out to applicants, collect availability, and provide the board with potential meeting options. Commissioners noted interviews and any resulting appointment must occur in an open public meeting; a common practice discussed was to hold interviews in the open, then go into executive session for deliberations and return to take formal action.

During the discussion a commissioner asked whether a prior business relationship with one applicant would require disclosure or recusal. Staff said they would research the applicable rules and report back so any necessary disclosure or recusal could be handled before a vote.

No formal appointment was made at the April 22 meeting. The board instructed staff to gather availability from applicants and return options to the commissioners so interviews can be scheduled and, if appropriate, an appointment made prior to the May 6 Planning Commission meeting.