BOCC Meeting - April 6

With all the ADAGE coverage, I failed to recap last week's public board meeting. All three commissioners were there for the entire meeting.

• Belfair Waste Water Treatment Facility: The BOCC approved the contract with EnviroIssues to provide "Side Sewer Communications Coordination and Construction Outreach Support" at a cost of $221K. The cost per contract hour comes to $93.52. Not bad wages in a county with such high unemployment. The budget line continues to be "clear as mud", a phrase that you'll find used frequently as we discuss whatever is happening in the county commissioner chambers. Tom Moore couldn't answer what was remaining of the contingency funds set aside for a $40M dollar construction effort fraught with uncertainty and risks in every step of this project. Kudos to Tim for having read the contract and for sharing with the public what deliverables are included in this contract. But when are our commissioners going to get it? With more than a quarter of the year lapsed, we do not have a complete budget description of what one third of the county's 2010 budget is being spent on. Here is a fact - not even one full page of the 2010 budget document is devoted to the BWWTF while over 160 pages are spent on the balance of the revenue and expenditures. This does not make sense to me.

• Storm Water Management Advisory Task Force: The BOCC approved this 28 member task force that includes five members who do not live in this county but will provide such essential expertise that they must be voting members of the task force. This task force will help to "craft financial options to fund storm water improvement activities". First of all when was the last time 28 people were able to get anything done in a timely manner? Secondly since when is it okay for someone who lives in Thurston County to come to Mason County and help us figure out how we want to be taxed? I was not surprised that all three commissioners felt this was honky dory. Am I a minority voice on this? Mason County, I think we may all want to keep an eye on this before we see it appear on our property tax statements. Then it may be too late.

• Corrections and Support Staff Bargaining Unit (IAM&AW Local Lodge W38): The BOCC approved the agreement between the county and this bargaining unit. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Monty Cobb couldn't tell us what the budget impact was exactly but he could tell us that for this 42 member unit the increase is somewhere between 1% and 6.5% and that for every one percent increase it will cost the county an extra $15K in 2010. The way I figure it's somewhere between $15K and $97.5K. Clear as mud, right? One bargaining unit down and 11 more to go. The big one is the Deputies Guild. Be watching here for more on this.

• KMAS sent a letter to the county protesting the use of the Shelton Mason Journal as the official newspaper for county official notices. This agenda action was tabled for further review.

• BOCC approved changing the HR/Budget Director position back to HR duties only. They couldn't tell us what budget duties are being omitted but could tell us that they'll contract out this work. Nor could they tell us how much they are saving. Clear as mud, right?

• Public Works announced that the county's annual chip seal contract was awarded. The County Roads account saved $20K because the awarded contract was less than the engineer's estimate. Another reason why a levy shift from Roads to Current Expense/General Fund are in order for 2011. And this is as clear as fresh spring water.

Hope to hear from you soon.

A Mixed Bag

The county commissioners briefings on Feb 1 are highlighted as follows.

1. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Finally a commissioner listened to us. Ross presented the LTAC's recommendations from last Tuesday's meeting and added his proposed changes. Ross wants to fund Harstene Island Community Choir ($2.5K), Anna's Bay ($3.8K) and add $2K to the Rodeo. The LTAC had recommended $3K for the Rodeo but Ross would give them $5K total. To this Lynda says, "We know you like rodeos, Ross".

Ross doesn't like Harmony Hills' Summer Fest as much though unfortunately. He recommends denying the Summer Fest any funds as did the LTAC but I sure haven't heard him or the LTAC provide a consistent and credible reason for denying Harmony Hills' grant request.

LTAC 2010 funding will be placed on the agenda as "Item 10. Other Business" either next Feb 9 or Feb 16. At that time the public is supposed to be allowed to ask questions and provide testimony prior to the BOCC making their decision. I say "supposed" because they can decide to not let us speak since it isn't a public hearing. Keep your eyes and ears open for this to go on the agenda.

2. ADAGE. Tim announced that on Thursday, Feb 4 from 1 to 3 PM the senior executives from ADAGE will hold a dog and pony show at the Port of Olympia with the governor in attendance. They will be displaying equipment from their John Deere alliance. Tim very cleverly offered to Lynda that if she is available she might like to introduce the governor at this meeting. On the spot, she cleared her calendar. Yes, she will be available to introduce the governor. As a private citizen I'm just hoping that she still follows through on an earlier promise to hold public meetings with the citizens of Mason County on ADAGE prior to approving the construction of this plant. (see earlier blogs for more info on ADAGE)

3. Human Resources/Budget & Finance Position. The commissioners held a closed door executive session today to review the 12 or 15 applicants they've received for this combined position. My question is how can they hire when others can't?

4. Hiring Freeze. Lynda asked that HR provide the county's policy on hiring during the current county wide hiring freeze. Tim stated that all elected officials must have BOCC approval prior to hiring even when they have the position in their approved budgets. Also at question was whether the elected officials could advertise for a vacancy without BOCC approval.

Now I'm going to editorialize. Because the Board's in the driver's seat, they can give themselves an exemption to the hiring freeze as they see fit. Examples are the above mentioned HR/B&F and the recently hired switchboard operator. What I'd like to see is some fairness applied by the BOCC. As we saw in 2009, they had one set of rules for their departments and another set of rules for the elected officials. That wasn't fair in 2009 nor will it appear even handed in 2010. Let's not get off to a bad start.

5. Noise Ordinance. The BOCC will be considering soon a change to Mason County Noise Ordinance (Chapter 9.36). The need for a change was recommended by the Economic Development Council, Matt Matayoshi so that the county can have racing events.

6. Marine Recovery Areas. This came up in the Public Works briefing today and is associated with the Storm Water Plan. Here's what I heard - the issue is the definition of what is considered a marine recovery area. Apparently about one half of Mason County is considered a marine recovery area. The commissioners want a briefing from Public Health, Public Works, Utilities and Planning to help them understand what this means to the county's homeowners, businesses, and the permitting process. More to follow on this I'm sure.