Observing Government

Clark County Council Time 02/25/26

Council Attendees: Sue Marshall, Glen Yung, Will Fuentes, Matt Little, Michelle Belkot

Link to materials: Clark County Council Meetings | Clark County

Observer: Jackie Lane

Public Comment – Agenda items only. 3 concerns about unity resolution including some anti-immigrant and anti-inclusion rants, and one thanking the county for the Unity resolution and civility.

New Business:

• Draft Unity Resolution: draft-resolution-unity-2.18.26.pdf
• This was prompted by earlier discussion around the Charlie Kirk resolution.
• Michelle asked about the 2^nd bullet: The Council commits to reviewing the county’s code of conduct for County Council members and members of Clark County Boards and Commissions that affirms and prioritizes dignity and respect for all community members. The council will also make efforts to ensure that county boards and commissions reflect the community they serve to hear broadly from all parts of Clark County. She questions how it would be enforced, and asks who wrote it. (Evidently a draft has been circulating for months that she missed). Questions making sure that Boards and Commissions represent the community.
• Glen notes that the doc is about what the council’s values are, not an ordinance. Michelle notes that she interprets that bullet is about punishment. Wil speaks in support of the resolution as drafted.
• Matt says he has resolution fatigue, already had 2 related with redundant whereases. Glen notes that if you take away some whereases, it is not a complete resolution. Wil notes that community members put a lot of time and effort into it. Michelle asks who: NAACP, SW WA equity coalition.
• 3 thumbs up to move forward. (Sue, Wil, Glen)
• Auditor’s office presentation – Greg Kimsey. Greg thanks Sue for her service (she had announced earlier that day that she is not running for council again) (Mitchell Kelly, candidate for Auditor, is one of the presenters)
• Quarterly Report 2025 - Q4.xlsx (other materials on council page linked above)
• Revenue growth is less than inflation rate.
• Expenses were less than budgeted.
• Discussion of structural deficit. Revenues growing slower than expenses. In 2025 revenues were less than expenses for the first time, by about $1.3 million (this was expected). OK this year as there is sufficient money in fund balance, but this can’t continue.
• Sales tax growth was low due to slowdown in the construction sector (expected and planned for).
• Wil asks about sales tax leakage (loss of tax revenue due to people shopping in Oregon). The trend reversed during covid since online purchases collected local sales tax. Matt asks if they are tracking. Yes, it is calculated based on average per capita.
• Salaries will always have some savings due to vacancies. (interesting that they don’t adjust budget for that).
• Michelle – doesn’t see anything in there about cutting staff. WSAC report shows 16 other counties are doing that. Response: This is reporting the past not planning for the future. Also, is the General Fund, of which 75% is law and justice.
• Discussion of fund balance policy.
• Will come back in June after 2025 data fully together and audited.
• Letter of support: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Data for Equitable Communities Grant – Requested by Public Health to get grant for Latino Leadership Northwest (LLNW). 02252026-llnw-rwjf-letter-of-support_ccboh_feb-2026.pdf Approved.

Councilor reports: Discussion of planning for accessibility – example bark chip trail in a dog park is hard for wheelchair users, but gravel is more expensive. Glen suggests a discussion on priority. Will add to a future agenda.

Work Session requests: Fairgrounds Capital project financing. Approved.

Policy updates:

• Bills have to get out of policy committees by 5:00 today (2/25).
• Foundational public health funding moving forward.
• Budget drafts – Jordan has looked at. Includes Madrona behavior health facility improvements, Evergreen Habitat for humanity grant to acquire mobile home park and make improvements. No additional capitol $ for the jail. Included in budgets: CTRAN projects, Camas slew bridge, RR track and bridge improvements, SR 502 widening in BG. 179^th and I-5 interchanges? Jordan to check but thinks so.
• Glen asked if Clark County is getting fair share of state dollars. Jordan to check into.

Executive session no after action.