Commissioner Briefings - March 15

I'm revising my opinion about the commissioners being absent two weeks in March. After this mornings briefings I'm beginning to think that maybe we only need them to meet every other week. They got a lot done in a short time.

Shelton Mason Journal (Kevan Moore) covered the briefings today.

I'm beginning to see an inverse relationship between the appearance of the sun and my blogging. You probably have less time to read also. Nevertheless, here's a quick run down.

o Department of Ecology briefed the commissioners on the options for implementing the directive from DOE on exempt well limitations in John's Creek. There are three paths they can take: an agreed order that Mason County helps to shape, a unilateral order from DOE, or a letter from the Director of Ecology. The letter from the Director of Ecology was what the county received back in 2008 and basically ignored. So the thinking is that now there needs to be something a little stronger. Under all three of these options there are significant implications for new commercial or industrial exempt well use in the Johns Creek Basin. The county commissioners were asked to provide their responses to which of three options they'd prefer by the end of March 2010.

o Accrued Leave Fund was brought up by Tim when the Auditor's office (Theresia) was doing her brief. He tried to get this on the agenda for future discussion but neither Ross or Lynda would agree. Theresia said there's enough money in this account for 2010 and 2011. This is an unfunded liability for the county. How much? We really don't know at this point. Ross and Lynda agreed that when they hire the new HR director, this person will be asked to come up with a solution. I'm not holding my breath. This could be a big bill for future funding and it could tick off a lot of county employees.

o The Belfair meeting with the BOCC will be held on March 30 and the two topics for discussion will be the bypass and the sewer.

o Mason Conservation District will be asked to brief the commissioners soon on the $5 each property owner has paid and is paying. The money is being held by the Treasurer awaiting a decision by the state supreme court. Question that Tim had is where do we stand on this money? The Treasurer will be asked to attend with MCD.

o Building permits are down 30 to 35 percent from 2008 but revenues for Jan and Feb have been sufficient to cover expenditures.

o The Port and the County are haggling a bit over who has jurisdiction regarding the SEPA for ADAGE. The Prosecutor's Office believes the county calls the shots.

o The issue of filling a vacancy in Emergency Management came up today and will be on the agenda tomorrow. Both Ross and Lynda agreed with the plan to fill this position with an individual from DCD. Tim said that he would hold his decision until the BOCC meets to vote on it.

o Road projects are being postponed because gas tax is coming in lower than anticipated. Apparently this is a real issue. Cars have become more energy efficient. So the County Rural Arterial Board has less tax revenue to fund projects. Four road projects have slipped. Bear Creek Dewatto II will be funded in 2012 versus 2011. Cloquallum Road slipped from 2013 to 2015. North Island Drive moved from 2014 to 2015.

o The Finance Committee will meet on March 29 at 11 am. No indication of what will be discussed at today's briefing.

o No Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 23.

There you have it.