News

• Public Works

Host a party, potluck or special event at a Clark County park. Picnic shelters at eleven county parks are available to reserve for dates between April 1 and Oct. 31. Many shelters have electricity and water. Some shelters have features like fireplaces and barbeques. Reserving a shelter ensures your exclusive use on the day of your reservation. Shelters that are not reserved are available to use on a first come, first served basis. 

Shelters are available to reserve at:


• Community Planning
Public comment period open until Feb. 8

Clark County Community Planning is starting the process of updating the local Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, as required by the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The plan, last updated in 2016, is a long-range policy guide for how the county plans to manage growth and development over a twenty-year period.


• Elections

Beginning Friday, Jan. 27, Clark County Elections will mail ballots to all eligible registered voters residing within the City of Vancouver, Vancouver School District, Washougal School District and Woodland School District.


• Community Services

The Clark County Council is seeking community members with expertise in or experience with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to serve on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board. 

The 10-member advisory board makes recommendations to the county council relating to developmental disabilities services and issues. Members provide leadership to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of community programs.

One position must be filled. The term is for three years starting upon appointment and ending Dec. 31, 2025.


• Medical Examiner

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office used forensic genealogy to confirm the identity of a man whose body was discovered 24 years ago in the Columbia River. This is the second cold case in four months that the office has closed using forensic genealogy.


• Public Health

Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is offering a free, seven-week series to train a new cohort of volunteers. The training will prepare volunteers to be sustainability ambassadors in the community and experts in composting techniques, recycling, food-waste reduction, green cleaning and other sustainable living habits.


• Public Works

County Manager Kathleen Otto this week appointed Ken Lader as Director of Public Works. The Clark County Council in October 2022 appointed Lader to serve as Clark County Engineer, and he will continue to serve in that position. His appointment as director takes effect immediately.

Lader has worked for Clark County Public Works more than 20 years and served the last eight years as manager of the Engineering and Design section. Previously, he held positions as engineer and engineering technician.


• Community Planning
Kick off presentation scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023

Clark County Community Planning is starting the process of updating the local Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, as required by the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The plan, last updated in 2016, is a long-range policy guide for how the county plans to manage growth and development over a twenty-year period.


• Elections

The Clark County Elections Office, at 10 am on Wednesday, Jan. 11, will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the programming that is used to tabulate ballots as well as the accessible voting units for the Feb. 14 Special Election.

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

Ballots for this election will be mailed on Friday, Jan. 27.


• Community Planning

The Clark County Aging Readiness Plan assesses the county's readiness to serve as a home for a growing number of older residents. The plan was approved in 2012 and includes strategies to improve the community’s capacity to support its growing older population and ultimately benefit all ages.