The Ridgefield-led fight over who gets a seat at the table in Clark County’s public transportation agency came to a head on Wednesday, Sept. 3, when the C-Tran Board of Directors voted to reaffirm equal representation for the city of Vancouver, Clark County, and its small cities, despite potential risks to state grant funding.
The 8-3 vote approved a “3-3-3” board structure, giving each bloc three seats. The decision defies guidance from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which in June recommended a board model that would give Vancouver and Clark County additional seats, citing underrepresentation. If found noncompliant, C-Tran’s may be ineligible for future state transportation grants.
In a letter issued last week to the Board Composition Review Committee, Mayor Cole argued that WSDOT’s findings were an overreach and warned that giving Vancouver four seats and Clark County three would effectively give Vancouver a majority on the C-Tran board, which would violate state law.
“The County Council would more than likely have one of their members from the City of Vancouver represented there, which would give Vancouver a majority on the board,” Cole said in an interview before the Wednesday meeting. “I believe that that would be against the law, and so it would force the C-Tran board itself to certify something that it is against the law.”
The model being replaced allocated three seats to Vancouver, two to Clark County, and four to small cities. The seats for the small cities were distributed as follows: one each for Battle Ground, Camas, and Washougal, while Ridgefield, La Center, and Yacolt shared a single seat. Clark County is currently represented by County Chair Sue Marshall of District 5 and Councilor Wil Fuentes of District 3, covering districts in North Clark County and East Vancouver. County Districts 1, 2, and 3 overlap with Vancouver’s urban growth area.
Vancouver board member Erik Paulsen and County Councilors Sue Marshall and Wil Fuentes voted against the decision.
Cole led the push for equal representation at the meeting, noting that the concerns of smaller cities about the potential inclusion of light rail in the I-5 bridge replacement project had set the stage for the discussion. As of press time, the Camas City Council was considering withdrawing from C-Tran if the board approved light rail. While Vancouver and most County Councilors support the project, smaller cities remain hesitant to approve a countywide tax increase for light rail, which primarily benefits Vancouver. County Councilor Michelle Belkot of District 2, currently suing the county for being removed from the C-Tran board, voiced support for the 3-3-3 model during the meeting. Belkot was removed from her position for not aligning with the council majority’s approval of light rail.
“The reason why this board, this committee, has been assembled a year prior to when it is due to meet is a direct implication of those decisions that have been made,” Cole said. “When decisions don't go your way, you don't change the rules of the game and change the makeup of the board to get it more favorable to your decision in the future.”
Vancouver Councilor Erik Paulsen was one of three votes against, citing concerns over compliance and funding.
“The consequences of not adhering to the expectations … have also been very clear, which is that there's a significant amount of money that will be lost [effectively] less than one month from now,” Paulsen said.
Clark County Councilors Wil Fuentes and Sue Marshall joined Paulsen in opposing the motion.
“I would like to get a legal opinion on that because I think it's a stretch,” Marshall added, responding to claims Vancouver could effectively control the board under a WSDOT’s preferred model.
The approved motion also included submitting a letter from Ridgefield to the state and a request to pause grant restrictions while legal challenges play out.
During public comments, Rep. John Ley (R) of Washington’s 18th legislative district said small cities have been footing an unfair bill.
“This is a very serious game where the people are seeking representation for the C-Tran taxes they pay,” Ley said.
In an interview after the vote, Cole said he believed the 3-3-3 plan was the fairest balance for all jurisdictions.
“I proposed a solution that I felt like was gonna be the most equitable for the entire county, that would provide the most balanced board,” Cole said.
Asked about the risk of losing grants, Cole acknowledged uncertainty but stood by the case he and Ridgefield presented.
“The state was pretty clear that if they didn't miss out of compliance by October 1st, then there would be no wiggle room to basically get us a stay, but we hope it will do,” he said. “I think that if you look at that from a legal sense, I expect the attorney general and the state to concur with it.”
