Two years post flood DOE grant could fund consultant for flood-plain study

DAYTON-The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) heard updates on the Flood Control Zone (FCZD); salary of Public Works Manager, and the interlocal agreement.

New Interim County Engineer Jeremy Weiland met with the BOCC for a brief update the Commissioners about a grant from the Department of Ecology for a flood plain study to reduce flood risk in the community. Once the grant is received, he can move forward with soliciting a consultant to conduct the study. Commission Chairman Marty Hall pointed out, “Two years ago today we were flooded.”

Weiland presented several resolutions for Public Works. Two were for approval to move forward with contracts for services. Resolution 2022-09 approved awarding a contract with Commonstreet Consulting on Lower Hogeye Road and the Vernon Smith and Starbuck bridges. Resolution 2022-10 approved a contract with PBS Engineering and Environmental, Inc. for work on the Kellogg Hollow Phase 2 project.

The Commissioners discussed the interim salary for Public Works Business Manager Amber Phinney who is assuming duties of the Public Works Director until one is hired. The Commissioners agreed on a 35% increase. Auditor Anne Higgins pointed out that the increase uses only a portion of the budgeted amount of the salary for this position so it is no added cost to the county to compensate Phinney for doing the added work.

Treasurer Carla Rowe presented the 2021 financial report for the fourth quarter which also reflected end-of-year numbers. The year-end current expense property tax collection was up from 2020 at almost $1.7 million, and $160,000 remains outstanding for 2021. Sales tax revenue is above projected budget but down from previous years mainly due to windmill revenues that are no longer coming in. Rural county sales tax is approaching normal amounts to years before COVID at $90,000.

The current expense interest income is down because interest rates are low, whereas the current expense revenues are up because of fees and grant money. End of year current expense is up at $3.3 million which is higher than years prior ranging from $2.1-$2.6 million from 2018-2020. Rowe also presented a debt policy for the Commissioners to review and consider for approval.

With the new law removing penalties for late property tax payments, Rowe advised the Commissioners she serving on a committee of State Treasurers to look at options for recovering the income, and thought that it would take most of this year to develop a plan, but it wouldn’t be until 2023 that it would be implemented.

The interlocal agreement with the city for law enforcement, dispatch and judicial services was discussed with Ashley Stickland from Emergency Management. Commissioner Ryan Rundell said the contract is that yearly increases the City pays the County would be according to the consumer price index (CPI), but with inflation it has increased substantially. With the increase to the Sheriff’s department budget for additional deputies, it was suggested the increase be applied there with consideration for any needs the courts would have.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 22 because of Presidents Day.