Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Late last month, Moody’s Investor Services upgraded Clark County’s non-voted bond rating to Aa1, the second-highest rating the agency awards.

Clark County was among 136 local jurisdictions in Washington, Oregon and Montana to receive bond  rating increases. Clark County’s Aa1 rating is a superior rating for a county of our population base and average personal income.

Moody’s assigns the Aa1 designation only to entities that demonstrate superior financial strength and the ability to meet their debt obligations in a timely manner.

Vancouver, WA – The Clark County councilors are seeking applicants for three vacant seats on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission.

The seven-member commission is responsible for:

Beginning today, $30 annual parking passes for 2017 can be purchased at three locations

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County will resume collecting daily parking fees at four of the county’s largest regional parks starting Monday, April 3.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Commission on Aging is focusing this year on supportive services, especially for people 50 and older. Research shows 87 percent of people prefer to retire in place and will need a variety of services to remain in their homes as long as possible. Given this, the commission is dedicating nine monthly meetings to raising awareness about what supportive services are available, or could become available, in our community.

Vancouver, Wash. – County residents are invited to take part in a three-week challenge to promote waste reduction and sustainable living. The challenge starts Friday, March 10, and is sponsored by Public Health’s Green Neighbors Program.

Residents are encouraged to take the WasteBusters pledge online and decrease the amount of material that goes into landfills by committing to at least one of three waste-busting actions:

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is seeking nominations for the annual Public Health Community Award, which recognizes both a local individual and organization for outstanding contributions in promoting and protecting community health.

Nomination forms are available at www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/community-award-nomination.  Completed forms can be submitted online, by mail or in person. Details are on the form.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 5.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Property tax statements for the first half of 2017 are in the mail, Clark County Treasurer Doug Lasher announced Monday.

Property tax statements include property tax levy amounts, special assessments and certain fees. The Treasurer’s Office sent 67,000 paper statements, 78,000 postcards to taxpayers whose mortgage companies pay their taxes, and 6,000 e-statements to people who registered to receive tax bills online. 

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The community is invited to attend the 2017 State of the County event from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St.

The Clark County Food Bank will be on hand to accept non-perishable food donations. Last year, the food bank distributed food to 103,771 individuals in Clark County.

Collecting food at the State of the County has been a tradition for many years. Monetary donations also are welcome. 

The event’s format will be a departure from previous years.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Clark County’s Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board is accepting grant applications from local organizations with programs dedicated to spaying and neutering animals. For the past 17 years, Clark County and Vancouver have provided $15,000 annually for grants to applicants in the city and unincorporated area of the county.

Vancouver, Wash.− The Board of County Councilors Tuesday appointed attorney Chad E. Sleight to the Clark County District Court bench.

Sleight was one of four candidates the council interviewed for the court’s Position 2, which will become vacant March 1 when Judge James P. Swanger retires. Sleight will have to run for election in November 2018 to keep the seat.