Budget revisions anticipated by County Depts.

DAYTON-The Columbia County Commissioners’ heard requests for wages revisions, lack of winter road preparation and debris removal, 4-H reopening and personnel replacement at the Board meeting October 19.

The Emergency Management Director, Ashley Strickland discussed revisions to the Salary schedule which will provide continuity of wages of department employees at various ranges or steps. At the Columbia County Commissioners’ Board meeting, He said each department head needs to review and “assign each job description to one of the ranges” and list each employee that fits under each step where they fall. Public Works Director Chuck Eaton expressed concern the schedule would be a hit to the budget because the schedule has higher ranges. Strickland said that it is only guarantees longevity. Steps are small at around $0.25 an hour per step according to Strickland. During the revision process, the schedule is continually adjusted and can be adjusted. Salary schedule will be negotiated in 2021, to be implemented after.

Eaton reported that the Public Works department has begun grading roads, but lack of available staff has made it difficult to make it to the upper elevations before the snow. The wooded debris removal is complete on the Touchet River, but permits are still needed for the same work to be done on the Patit Creek and the Tucannon River. Even so, according to Eaton, the department does not have enough staff and they still need to talk to affected property owners before looking seriously at doing work there. He said that it won’t be until 2022 that the County should be back on schedule.

Commissioner Chuck Amerein said, “We don’t have enough staff, we don’t have enough money, we don’t have time. We’re behind as it is getting stuff out of the river. It really is a perfect storm.”

Eaton also indicated it is difficult to get the Public Works budget within the $50,000 limit for 2021 as the County prepares for the Budget Hearing. This is mainly due to the fairground’s lease hold taxes. If the County were to close down the fairgrounds for everything and only run basic electrical to keep pipes from freezing, this would bring things to budget neutral. Eaton and the Commissioners discussed that if this is the direction they take, they would consider opening for the County Fair.

Donna Hanger announced plans for 4-H groups reopening. She received the Commissioners’ approval to commence once the plans are released. They would like to use the Youth Building at the Fairgrounds for group meetings, but it is unclear at this time if it will be available. Additionally, Paul Carter of the WSU Extension Office has plans to reopen soon, but didn’t have any specific information.

Dena Martin of County Planning and Building sought approval from the Commissioners to pursue replacing a member of the Planning Commission and advertising to fill that position within a month. The Commissioners approved and plan to conduct interviews.

Martin also announced that the Department was the winner of an award for 2020 from the Planning Association of Washington for Excellence in Comprehensive Planning for Small Jurisdictions.

Columbia County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman, revealed the county maintains a zero COVID case status since September 2. Columbia County has the second lowest numbers in the State. Lanman said that groups, including meetings are allowed for up to 30 participants, socially distanced and wearing masks. Social events are limited to 10 attendees. The department has plans of providing hand washing education to the first and second graders at the school.