Vancouver, Wash.  - Under Washington law, the Clark County Treasurer’s Office cannot accept prepayment of 2018 property taxes before the end of 2017, Treasurer Doug Lasher said Wednesday.

Some tax experts and others are urging people to pay at least some of their 2018 property taxes before the end of the year, when new tax laws passed by Congress earlier this month go into effect. Lasher said his office has received a number of calls about paying 2018 property taxes early, but that the Treasurer’s Office is unable to accept early payments.

Vancouver, Wash. - Workforce/Artforce, a Clark County employees art exhibit, will be on display in the Rebecca Anstine Sixth Floor Gallery through Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. 

A reception honoring the artists is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at the gallery on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. Pete DuBois Song Circle will provide entertainment. The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Clark County Arts Commission.

Vancouver, Wash. – During the holidays, Americans generate about 1 million extra tons of garbage each week. The waste is often gift packaging, wrapping paper and leftover food.

Fortunately, you can reduce, reuse and recycle during the holiday season without cutting back on holiday cheer, according to Sally Fisher, Outreach Program coordinator.

Follow these tips if you dream of a green Christmas:

Vancouver, Wash. – Thousands of Clark County residents soon will want to dispose of Christmas trees.

Waste Connections, Inc. will pick up trees with yard debris collection or regular garbage service. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless of whether they will be collected with yard debris or garbage.

Before trees are put out, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and other non-tree materials must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees must be put in the garbage; they cannot be recycled with yard debris.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County, the Washington Counties Risk Pool and the parties of Spencer et. al v. Peters et. al have reached a settlement to fully and finally resolve all litigation and related claims. Under the settlement, Clark County and the risk pool jointly will pay Clyde Ray Spencer $6 million to resolve his claims and a related insurance coverage dispute.

Clark County has agreed to pay $5.25 million of the settlement, avoiding protracted and uncertain collection litigation arising from a 2014 jury verdict against two retired Clark County deputy sheriffs.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The Clark County Auditor’s Office released its 2017 Review of Selected Internal Controls report Monday, providing a look at internal controls for receipting and cash and check handling in selected areas of the county. Overall, the office found cash handling and receipting well controlled. 

This year, Audit Services performed 22 reviews of cash accounts held by county departments and offices. The reviews included unannounced cash counts and examination of internal controls and other safeguards for processing and receipting of payments and cash funds.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Elections is seeking residents to write statements opposing two measures on the Feb. 13, 2018 special election ballot.

Vancouver, Wash. – The flu positivity rate in Clark County has risen to 21 percent, well above the 10 percent threshold Public Health uses to mark high flu activity, according to Public Health’s Influenza Surveillance Update for the week Dec. 3. The positivity rate is based on data from local laboratories that test for flu.  

Vancouver, Wash. – The Southwest Washington Regional Health Care Advisory Committee will meet from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. The meeting is open to the public.

The meeting will include presentations by policy and behavioral health representatives of Health Care Authority, Legacy Health Systems, PeaceHealth and Beacon Health Options.

A public comment period is scheduled after the presentations.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The Clark County Audit Oversight Committee will meet at 10:30 am Thursday, Dec. 7, to consider a recent performance audit of Facilities Management’s system to track and manage high-risk materials. The meeting will be in the sixth-floor Training Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

Copies of the audit are available on the county website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/audit-reports.