It was a packed June for the Goldendale City Council, the county seat of Klickitat County. In two meetings, the council rescued a stalled housing rule by standing up a temporary planning commission, locked in a $221,000 grant to replace the historic library's elevator, and spent a good chunk of fire season arguing over smoke, dry weeds, and Fourth of July fireworks. Here's what it means for you.

In This Episode:

• Why Goldendale's Planning Commission went defunct, and the six-month workaround that keeps the ADU (backyard-cottage) ordinance moving.
• A $221,000 federal grant to replace the Goldendale Community Library's 40-year-old elevator.
• The first-quarter budget: a paper deficit, a $480,000 grant-timing swing, and a softening in retail sales tax.
• A downtown "burnout" event that filled a neighbor's home with smoke, and the older, thornier fight over unmowed weeds during fire season.
• Why both the fire and police chiefs argued against a Fourth of July fireworks crackdown.
• A statewide visit: the Secretary of State and international consuls tour Goldendale.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written round-up on SkamaniaDispatch.com
• City of Goldendale agendas, packets, and meeting info (Zoom: 415-762-9988, Meeting ID 373 290 5204).
• Next regular council meeting: Monday, July 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 1103 S. Columbus Ave.
• Community Days: July 10 and 11.

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