$7.2 million flood damages assessment

DAYTON–County road damages from the February flooding has been assessed at $7.2 million of which Columbia County's portion is $1.3 million over the next two years, as a match requirement for funding given by the Federal Highway Association of Washington (FHWA.)

In addition, $400,000 is to be repaid to the loan given to the County Flood Control District by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB.) According to Columbia County Public Works Director and Engineer Charles Eaton, current funding is down $300,000, or 1.5% of the current budget, and Eaton and Treasurer Carla Rowe anticipate a possible $900,000 hit next year if things return to normal.

The County is actively looking at sources of funding, Eaton said at the Commissioners' meeting on October 6, but he anticipates a "25% reduction to his operation and administration" in 2021.

Some flood repair work can continue to be done and be paid for through FEMA. Other regular maintenance work may be postponed as a result, or cuts made to staff, unless some retire. Additionally, Eaton reported that Labor and Industries has published a required minimum wage increase of 1.4% for County roads employees which would increase the County's financial burden.

As for flood damage repair, Eaton says the department is doing its best to get to everything it can and are "reprioritizing all the time." This includes County roads, and plans for grading are a high priority before winter.

To limit current budget expenditures, Eaton said, cuts in regular maintenance since the flood have included "eliminating litter pick-up, cracks in the pavement patching, chip sealing, grading the local roads, all structure maintenance except for emergencies, all roadway stabilization and maintenance, and guard rail maintenance, except for damages" in addition to reduction of shoulder and ditch maintenance, culvert cleaning, brush cutting and snow removal.

"I'm nervous about deferring maintenance for a second year," Eaton said to the Commissioners. "I know that's how we initially set it up. I'm looking for some general guidance." However, Eaton said plans "are lining up like we originally planned" with projected funds.

Besides the CRAB loan of $400,000, FEMA provided $1.9 million, FHWA $2.3 million, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $1.4 million and other funds of $400,000 has been given to Columbia County for flood claims.

The Commissioners and Eaton will consult with County Auditor Anne Higgins for ways to go forward with potential plans to eliminate diversion of funds. This would then be presented as part of the upcoming budget hearing.

Commissioner Mike Talbott clarified that Eaton should present his proposal with "as little of diversion" as he can, saying that the Commissioners would need to look at the other department budgets to see if they can make cuts there. Commissioner Chuck Amerein said, "I think we're fooling ourselves if we think that we going to get out of this whole Coronavirus thing with shortfalls leaving us intact. We're going to get hit somewhere and we might as well get ready for it now. There's no 'We're going to live life as normal in the county.'"

Talbott pointed out that the tax revenue has been stable. Carla Rowe gave the Financial Report for the third quarter and reported that property tax receivables are up mainly due to payment from one of the wind farms. Sales tax is comparable to other years without major construction. In the most recent years, the Pulp Mill construction brought in additional sales tax.

Deb Hays from the City of Dayton presented the Commissioners with information about a Community Development Block Grant. If the County joins the City of Dayton and Town of Starbuck in applying for the grant, they can receive an additional $,2000 for a total grant between them of over $27,000. These funds are available because of the CARES Act and could give financial help to such things as Columbia County Transportation, The Senior Center, or services for community needs or for individual mortgage and rent and utility payments, as well as "assistance to micro-enterprises." The Commissioners agreed to partner in applying, and plan to submit the required letter of interest.

Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland will be including in his budget submission a proposal to hire a part-time grant writer to obtain funding for the County's various needs and projects.

Commissioner Amerein stated that "Flooding and COVID-19 was like a one-two punch" to the County this year. Eaton reported that recovery at this time cannot be assumed, but projections show it is not anticipated until the latter part of 2021.

The Commissioners discussed the difficulty of making a budget for 2021 and the likelihood of facing tough budget decisions next year including the consideration that there have been multiple requests for additional staff in various departments.