Clark County has implemented and currently operates eviction prevention rent assistance programs to assist people who are low-income impacted by the pandemic. These programs have provided an unprecedented $30.9 million in financial assistance to 3,987 households, paying for 33,634 months of rent and utilities since August 2020. Approximately $700,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities is going out to about 90 additional households each week.

Clark County Public Health is warning the community about a recent increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses. Preliminary evidence suggests much of the increase may be due to fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

The Clark County Canvassing Board, on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, authorized mandatory manual recounts of ballots cast in Clark County for the City of Vancouver, Council, Position No. 1 race and the Hockinson School District No. 98, Director District No. 1 race at the Nov. 2, 2021 general election.

The Clark County Council this week approved the annual budget for 2022. The total expense budget for 2022 is $723 million.

“My goals in preparing the 2022 county budget were that it be fiscally conservative, preserve adequate reserves, include new requests that benefit multiple departments, and protect critical and mandated functions,” said County Manager Kathleen Otto.

Clark County has implemented and currently operates eviction prevention rent assistance programs to assist people who are low-income impacted by the pandemic. These programs have provided an unprecedented $30.3 million in financial assistance to 3,894 households, paying for 32,580 months of rent and utilities since August 2020. Approximately $700,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities is going out to about 90 additional households each week.

Clark County Public Health has lifted its blue-green algae advisories at Round Lake and Lacamas Lake in Camas. The blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at both lakes have dissipated.

Public Health removed the warning advisory at Lacamas Lake earlier this month after test results from water samples showed toxin levels were no longer elevated. The warning advisory at Round Lake remained in place until the bloom dissipated this week.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto this week appointed April Furth as the director of the county’s Community Development department. The appointment is effective Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Furth was hired by the county in February 2021 to lead the Permit Center in Community Development. She has more than 17 years’ experience in retail management including serving as regional merchandising manager, store manager and vice president.

The Commission on Aging will determine its key findings and recommendations from this year’s focus on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discussion will take place during the Commission on Aging’s monthly meeting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. Meetings are currently in an online format.

The Clark County Charter Review Commission has scheduled two town hall sessions to discuss proposed amendments to the county charter for consideration of placing onto the 2022 general election ballot.

The virtual town hall meetings will be held on WebEx and are anticipated to last approximately one hour. The starting times are as follows:

Clark County Community Services this week announced it will end its contract with Beacon Health Options and no longer provide Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) services as of Dec. 31, 2021. Effective Jan. 1, 2022, SeaMar-Community Services NW (CSNW) will assume the contract with Beacon Health Options to staff and deliver DCR services in Clark County.