Residents urge county to resolve Hachoka tax-exemption issues; a resident asks support for independent pharmacies

Three citizens addressed the board during informal public comments.

Kimberly Clark, who identified herself as founder of an organization she called Hachoka, told commissioners the group received a tax‑exemption but said several issues remain unresolved, including attorney fees, zoning for a tiny‑house project on the organization’s property and what she described as a lack of communication during a previously dismissed lawsuit. Clark asked the county to acknowledge that the organization had checked the low‑to‑moderate income housing box on its exemption application and asked that item be reflected as part of the exemption. She said the group wants to move forward quickly on the tiny‑house project now located on its property.

Marsha Love, a board member with Clark’s organization, thanked the commissioners for granting the tax exemption but said the long timeline to reach that point led to attorney involvement and ongoing legal-fee concerns. She urged the county to resolve any remaining legal issues promptly to allow the tiny‑house project to move forward.

Christy Gupton urged the board to support independent community pharmacies. Gupton said local pharmacies provide personalized care, same‑day delivery and coordination with physicians, and argued that clinical outcomes and local economic benefits are stronger when residents fill prescriptions at independent pharmacies rather than large, corporate chains. Gupton cited an example of a fatal medication-access incident from another state to underscore the potential consequences when patients do not receive timely assistance.

No formal action by the board was taken during the meeting in response to these comments; the clerk closed public comments after the three speakers.