Greg Sharp

The meeting included a maintenance report from the Road Supervisor detailing snow plowing, road grading, equipment maintenance, and inventory checks. The engineering report covered the completion of the MDNS for Cloudwalker, updates on the Appaloosa substation drawings, and mobilization of the crusher for Seubert. The Board unanimously approved a motion to transfer an expense related to a mag truck tank from the County Road Fund to the ERR Fund. Quality Behavioral Health provided an annual update highlighting significant funding cuts impacting staffing levels, particularly within the Recovery Navigator Program, and discussed efforts to secure alternative funding. The Board also addressed the mental health building lease status and unanimously passed Resolution 2026-02 for an annual interfund reimbursement between E911 and Current Expense funds. Discussions also covered upcoming legislative committee meetings, providing input on the Planning Ordinance, and the process for interviewing candidates for the Commissioner District 1 vacancy, expected to occur on January 26th. Finally, several voucher and payroll payments were approved.

The Board meeting included reports from the Road Supervisor detailing maintenance activities such as pothole checks, grading, ditch cleaning, and weed burning, and an update on internal crew training regarding construction inspection. The Engineer reported on the Comprehensive Plan updates, filling the vacancy on the Climate Committee, and provided updates on Appaloosa compaction testing, noting a soft subgrade issue being tracked by Qcells/Puget Sound Energy. Discussions covered a potential revenue-generating grading service contract with the Forest Service. The IT Coordinator reported on the mandatory renewal/upgrade for VMWare licenses, recommending a switch to a more cost-effective provider, Proxmox, while exploring grant opportunities. The Board approved a payroll adjustment entry for Public Works and reviewed a SEWEDA invoice, which was corrected from $500 to $100. There was a discussion regarding LEOFF 1 retirees and legislative activity concerning those funds. The Board also reviewed and unanimously approved signing a Capital Improvement Grant agreement for the Fairgrounds, intended for electrical system repairs near the Dick Brown Building. The meeting concluded with a round-table discussion with the Assessor regarding House Bill 1960 concerning state-assessed projects.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key operational discussions included a maintenance report from the Road Supervisor detailing road checks, culvert work, road sanding due to freezing rain, and repairs to signs damaged in a windstorm. There was a specific discussion about road damage caused by Qcells on Hagen Road, necessitating a check against the Road Haul Agreement. The Engineer provided a brief update, noting completed foundation plans for the Appaloosa project substation and that an update on the Cloudwalker project would follow. The potential resolution on speed limits in the national forest was moved to Future Business. Discussions also covered the movement of the crusher into the pit and the temporary sale of rock from the Peola pit. The Board reviewed and approved Resolution 2026-01, establishing the 2026 Salary and Wage Schedule. Committee assignments for 2026 were finalized following a recent vacancy. The Board discussed the high cost of shredding services and determined the Clerk should investigate purchasing shredders, contingent on current contracts. The Board agreed to maintain past practices regarding Chamber of Commerce annual dues. Efficiency improvements for the Voluntary Stewardship Program were discussed, leading to a plan to transition billing oversight from the County to the Conservation District. Finally, the Board discussed the process for interviewing the three candidates—Vonni Mulrony, Sage Petty, and Amy Van Vogt—submitted by the Republican Party to fill the vacant commissioner position, planning for public interviews and potentially an executive session. Approved voucher payments totaled $75,415.98 across claims, payroll, and electronic payments.

Discussions included the road maintenance report, detailing ditch clearing, grading, and significant repair estimates ($12,000 in-house vs. $21,000 shop) for a broken grader, with a potential loaner grader from Columbia County. The engineer's report covered the Solid Waste Advisory Committee discussing the potential closure of the transfer station and limitations on commercial recycling use. Progress on the Cloudwalker Wind project comments was noted, as well as extensions required for the Kirby Mayview road project design and signatures needed for the Lower Deadman project contract. Financial actions included the approval of Resolution 2025-25, a mandatory Levy shift for solid waste, and Resolution 2025-26, a mandatory transfer from Criminal Justice to Current Expense. The Commissioners decided not to approve the previous meeting minutes pending corrections and clarification. The board discussed the possibility of closing the Courthouse early on Christmas Eve. Several large voucher payments were approved for payment, covering Claims Clearing Fund, Payroll Clearing, and Electronic Payments.

Key discussions included the Road Supervisor's maintenance report detailing work on roads, equipment repair, and debris removal following recent weather. The Engineer provided updates on Comprehensive Plan and Climate Element deliverables, year-end reporting, and discussed the county setting speed limits on Roads 40 and 42, potentially through a resolution or ordinance. An agreement for GIS services between Public Works and the Sheriff's Office was discussed, pending resolution on billing for fuel and maintenance. The Board reviewed the ATV/UTV ordinance and discussed evolving requirements. The E911 Coordinator sought clarification on whether MSAG mileage is reimbursable through a grant, with a decision deferred pending verification of maintenance and fuel billing through the grant. The Fair Secretary presented a proposal for electrical upgrades at the fairgrounds, leading to the Board unanimously agreeing to submit a Capital Improvement grant application with a 20% County match. A Memorandum of Agreement with WSU Extension, including a 3% increase, was approved. Following a recess, the Board briefly addressed a letter regarding temporary alcohol service expansion. A request to transfer a miscoded expense was approved. Budget increases for the Prosecutor's Office for Communication/Postage and Travel/Training were unanimously approved. A significant portion of the afternoon session focused on a debated purchase of a drone by the Sheriff's Office using Search and Rescue funds, with Commissioners expressing concern over whether the purchase was necessary, authorized, or properly accounted for regarding operational costs like insurance and training, and suggesting the Board might not pay the bill. Further discussion involved the status of body camera procurement, including the need for a Collective Bargaining Agreement amendment and policy documentation, which Chairman Dixon linked to the responsible handling of the drone purchase.