County development department makes cuts
Clark County’s Community Development Department will cut staff positions and service hours this winter.
By the end of 2008, 23 county employees will be laid off and hours will be reduced at the county’s Vancouver and Battle Ground permit offices effective Nov. 3. Cuts were needed due to a sharp downturn in building permits and development applications with a prediction that 2009 won’t bring improvements, according to the county.
The department eliminated 34 positions earlier this year, 17 of which were vacant.
Outgoing employees will be considered for jobs in other departments when possible, and the county will provide assistance for job seekers.
New service hours will be announced when a new staffing plan is complete.
PBS Engineering opens renovated space
PBS Engineering and Environmental celebrated its 10th anniversary with the opening of its expanded office in Vancouver.
The firm at 1310 Main St. now includes an additional 2,500 square feet of office space.
PBS employs 150 people, including 50 in Vancouver. The firm has eight offices in Washington and Oregon, and has completed 35,000 projects.
First Independent awaits LEED certification
Vancouver-based First Independent is awaiting certification for its first green-built bank branch. The Salmon Creek branch at 2515 N.E. 134th St. in Vancouver opened in August and is awaiting certification by the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design rating system.
Green Building Council forms book club
The United States Green Building Council and Island Press, both based in Washington, D.C., formed a book club for sustainable building professionals.
The club, GreenWorks, will offer discounted industry books to USGBC members along with a suggested monthly reading list. Suggested books will be selected by a panel of industry experts.
Details and recommended books for October are at www.islandpress.org/usgbc.
