News

• Community Development

Vancouver, Wash. – In a meeting before the Clark County Council yesterday, Mitch Nickolds, interim director of Community Development, presented strategies for implementing recommendations from a recent performance review of the county’s building permitting and review process.

The review was performed by Citygate Associates, LLC and outlines 36 recommendations for updating the county’s construction permitting process.


• Community Planning

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Historic Preservation Commission has listed the Blair Building to the Clark County Heritage Register. The building is located at 1801 Main St., Washougal.

Built in 1925, the Blair Building is one of the oldest structures remaining in Washougal’s traditional downtown core. It also is the most intact of all remaining older brick commercial buildings in the nearby vicinity.


• Clark County Council

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council approved changes to county fireworks law Tuesday, including raising money for enforcement and other activities by adding a $156 permit fee on retailers who sell fireworks in tents.


• Clark County Council

Vancouver, Wash. – Earlier today, the Clark County Council approved a contract with Shawn Henessee, who has been hired to fill the county manager position.

The contract is for three years and states that Henessee’s starting salary will be $170,000 annually. His anticipated start date is Monday, July 23.

The councilors selected Henessee as county manager after conducting an extensive nationwide search.

“I look forward to starting as county manager at Clark County,” said Henessee. “It is an exciting opportunity with great employees and located in a beautiful area.”


• Elections

Vancouver, WA ‒ At 10 am on Tuesday, June 19, the Clark County Elections Office will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the programming to be used to tabulate ballots and the accessible voting units for the Aug. 7 primary and special election.

The test will be held at the Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St. Members of the news media, and jurisdictions with measures on the ballot and the public are invited to attend this test, which is required under Washington law.

Ballots will be mailed Friday, July 20.   


• Community Planning

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Community Planning will host an open house later this month on proposed updates to the county’s manufactured housing and mobile home code.

The open house will be held 6-8 pm Thursday, June 28, in Building B-1 at the county’s 78th Street Operations Center, 4700 NE 78th St. County staff will present an overview of the project at 6:30 pm.


• Community Services

Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking applicants to fill several vacant positions on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board.

Positions are based on county council districts. Open seats include elected officials from the county’s second and third districts, low-income representatives from the county’s second and third districts and community representatives from the county’s first and fourth districts.


• Clark County Council

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council unanimously approved a motion today authorizing Council Chair Marc Boldt and Interim County Manager Jim Rumpeltes to develop a contract with Shawn Henessee to become the next county manager.

“We believe Shawn’s strong background in local government and his character make him a good choice for county manager,” said Boldt.


• Human Resources

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Human Resources Department will not post new job notices or accept job applications from June 1-25, in order to accommodate a software update.

The county is updating its recruitment software to Workday. The current system will not be available for potential job applicants during the transition.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience while we make this upgrade to provide a better, more efficient experience for job applicants,” said Kathleen Otto, Human Resources director.


• Public Health

Vancouver, Wash. – The ACEs Action Alliance, in collaboration with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, is kicking off a series of community conversations about childhood trauma and resilience with a book discussion.