BOCC meetings may move to Tuesday

DAYTON- The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) made a decision to change the bimonthly Monday work session meeting to Tuesdays beginning the second Tuesday in October.

The bimonthly regular meetings will remain on Mondays because to change it would require a public hearing. The Commissioners discussed the change only for the work sessions to see how it works and may consider moving all meetings to Tuesdays in the future, to reduce the chance meetings fall on a holiday.

The of the Columbia County department heads met with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for their monthly updates. Sheriff Joe Helm reported there will be changes in procedures and some personnel in the department in the next weeks for which he will be providing more specifics. He said this is in an attempt to be "more proficient and better at what we're doing. The goal is to get us back on track. COVID put a damper on some things. We're going to get focused again on our primary goals of the fundamental functions of law enforcement. Despite the law changes, we are going to try to structure and get our deputies training again." Helm also reported in reference to the State law change that no longer makes drug possession illegal, Sergeant Steve Potter from the Walla Walla Police Department is working towards obtaining grant funding to form a drug task force with the Columbia County Sheriff's Department and College Place Police Department in hopes to "curtail some of the activity as a result of the new laws that were put in place."

Anne Higgins, Columbia County Auditor, reported on a 2021 budget amendment hearing is scheduled for October 4 and she requested each department send in their amendments. She will be preparing for the 2022 budget following that hearing.

Also, she discussed with the Commissioner's the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A survey had been sent to the departments asking what their needs were to be considered for use of the funds. A meeting was held reviewing that feedback from the departments and a preliminary plan has been drafted for use of the funds within the County departments and for needs externally in the community.

The HVAC system in the courthouse remains a priority. The plan is pending approval but once approved, it can be amended as needed.

Higgins included in her report that there are currently two employees who have no sick leave available who have need of it because of COVID. To be covered, other County employees have donated some of their leave pay to get through the current payroll period. The ARPA funds could cover COVID sick leave for future need and Higgins said $10,000 for that use is included in the plan.