RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OKANOGAN COUNTY
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on February 3, 2020, with
Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro; Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch;
Member, Commissioner Andy Hover and Laleña Johns, Clerk of the Board, present.
Review Commissioners’ Agenda & Consent Agenda
Commissioners discussed the draft resolution that changes
the way the commissioners’ salaries are derived. Commissioners discussed what
other county commissioner salaries are set at and how they are tied to the
Superior Court Judge’s salary. The idea that Commissioner of District #1 and
Commissioner of District #2 whose term is the same as the President’s, their
salary increase would not take effect until 2021 after their current term ends
and the Commissioner of District #3 would not take effect until 2023 after the
current term ends.
Commissioners discussed their travel stipend with
Commissioner DeTro stating his thought that it be increased from $750 to $950.
Commissioners discussed the resolution that allowed the board to be compensated
for in-county travel that did not articulate very well the reasons for the
stipend. Commissioners thought if the amount was to be amended that the
resolution clearly articulate the reasons.
Briefing Among Commissioners – Discuses Individual
Weekly Meetings & Schedules
Commissioners discussed items that needed to be discussed.
10:50a Emily Sisson member of the public arrived to audio
and video record the commissioners meetings for Okanogan Watch Group.
Discussion – Elections Security-Sheriff Hawley,
Undersheriff Culp, Auditor Hall
Ms. Hall stated this meeting is a result of needing
security this year during the election. Sheriff Hawley said he would sit in
during the primary if no one else is available. He will observe as he hasn’t
done so before. It is March 10. The security is a precaution during this time.
The The general Election is November 3 and Ms. Hall said if the Sheriff could
not provide she would be willing to pay a security group to sit in. Undersheriff
Culp laughed and jokingly said they would provide the security in exchange for a
new car. Auditor Hall laughed and said she really appreciated the held during
the election to provide a security presence.
Discussion-Emergency Management Billings-Auditor
Hall, Maurice Goodall
Commissioner DeTro moved the meeting with the emergency
manager up to 11:10 a.m. from 11:30 a.m.
In 2019 the cities paid more money than the county did for
his wage increase. Mr. Goodall has been working on how to move forward because
it must be equal. Ms. Hall said from the auditor’s view there are two ways,
either recognize the issue and pay the 2019 and do a supplemental, or we can
adjust the billings this year to make up for what was paid last year. There are
complications involved with both and an appearance to other districts. If we
have a credit in one year then give money back in another year then it was
spent, it could mess up their budgeting. She recommended just biting the bullet
and paying the amount the county didn’t pay in 2019 now then work it out later.
$5,484 is the amount.
The EM fund is a special fund with many putting revenue
into the fund and it really isn’t like a Current Expense fund where we put the
money in and we get to take it out. It is a special purpose fund. Mr. Goodall
said another way would be to not use $5484 of the current budget and leave it in
the carryover. He explained why that would be complicated. The BARS manual had
no guidance on the specific way to deal with this. Mr. Goodall said if money is
given back to the cities it messes with their three year average. A supplemental
for the 2019 difference, the board could direct to have it taken out and budget
supplemented later. Commissioner Hover said he is alright with just paying the
additional amount of money. A supplemental specific to this matter will be
drafted. He has a hard time understanding why we would do a supplemental for
2019 because we didn’t pay the back pay in 2019 because we did pay the
appropriate amount. Commissioner Branch said the resolution will explain why the
supplemental is needed. We budgeted an amount but then the cities paid a
different amount. The whole story has to do with a whole other board that is
part of the decision making process and the request came about when the board
was still trying to understand how the emergency management service interacts
with the council. Ms. Hall said the supplemental request the reason will be left
blank and the commissioners can figure that part out. Ms. Hall explained how she
has to estimate for certain things then reconcile later with the actual amounts
and make adjustments. Resolution 33-2019 would be a good example for the budget
supplemental.
Mr. Goodall explained weather event damages that happened
in Brewster. The county didn’t have any damages however he is getting
information that really should be forwarded to Public Works. The two departments
are on the same page where if one gets info the other gets it too. There are a
few roads that have restrictions which have been placed on EM maps. When it
starts really warming up a message about road restrictions will be provided as
well as an explanation why.
Tourism Summit is happening on Thursday at the same time as
Legislative Steering committee LSC, Commissioner Branch will attend that instead
of the Tourism Summit. Commissioner Hover has several meetings BAT meeting
Watershed meeting Methow, City of Oroville and Sheriff this week.
Update – Planning Department – Interim Director
Angie Hubbard
Angie Hubbard provided her agenda and discussed the items
listed there.
1) WRIA 49 Planning Unit Alternates
a. City of
Okanogan-add Jon Culp Mayor
b. Economic
Alliance-add George Brady
2) WRIA 49 Planning Unit
a. Nicole Kuchenbuch
was North water right holder. Would you like to reach out to anybody to fill
that position?
Ms. Hubbard asked if the commissioners Ms. Hubbard asked
the board if they wished to fill the vacancy and who she should reach out to if
they did.
3) Planning commission Hearing tonight
A rough draft of the Comp Plan is being reviewed. Forest
Plans were given at the November meeting. She will find out what else they wish
to discuss. Ms. Hubbard explained the old changes versus the new changes and how
we are to differentiate between old and new changes.
4) CAO and Compliance with Growth Management.
Ms. Hubbard explained the focus of the last board of county
commissioners with regards to comp plan and required critical area updates.
There were some areas that weren’t updated. There may be issues in the aquifer
recharge areas. She thought nothing actually happened to the section going off
the 1980 soil survey did not reflect the different soil types. We are still on
the 2013 era update. Commissioner Branch asked if in the interim the other stuff
gets updated as set forth in GMA update criteria. The 2013 work was sent to
Dept. of Ecology for review but it is not certain if there was feedback. To
complete the update the adopted version must be sent to Commerce. We are out of
compliance with GMA, Commissioner Branch said, he would like to discuss further
and possibly adopt the CAO from 2013 which already ran through the Planning
Commission with findings of fact and conclusions that were likely adopted by
resolution. Ms. Hubbard said amendments can be done after that. Commissioner
Branch asked that she review the updates and check for inconsistencies with the
adopted Shoreline Management Program.
The board adjourned at 1:45 p.m.