The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—Wed., Jan. 4, was Norm Passmore’s first day of service on the Board of Columbia County Commissioners. And it was a busy day for the commissioners, who are working with a leaner budget in 2017.

The commissioners are facing a budget for 2017 that is $2.5 million less than last year. Last year’s board, including Dwight Robanske, who just retired, spent most of November and December working with the county auditor and various department heads to craft the 2017 budget.

Early in December the commissioners were working with a revenue shortfall of $86,775, due in part to lower than nor...