BOCC approves $90,000 for broadband project

DAYTON-The Board of County Commissioners met for a brief work session on April 25 before they went into an executive session to discuss personnel with Superior Court. They approved a contract with the Port of Columbia issuing them $90,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was previously approved to contribute towards the matching funds requirement of a $2 million grant awarded to the Port for the broadband project. Also approved was the payroll change for Delphine Bailey at Public Health. County Treasurer Carla Rowe also presented a quarterly financial report.

Auditor Anne Higgins presented a contract with the Port of Columbia issuing them $90,000 of the County's ARPA funds for the Port's broadband project. The contract was approved by County Attorney Dale Slack before being submitted for approval by the Commissioners. She said that the contract reads that the money will be allocated as billed from the Port on a "reimbursement basis" to provide the necessary documentation to "support the expenditure." The Commissioners approved the contract two to one with Amerein opposing. Higgins also conveyed that the County will be receiving the second disbursement of the ARPA funds soon.

The Commissioners reviewed the payroll change request made by Public Health Administrator Katie Roughton for employee Delphine Bailey. She asked for a significant step increase because Bailey has been with the department for 17 years and for the many duties, she is responsible for. The Commissioners decided at this time to increase her from step eight to step twelve rather than to step seventeen as requested and review again during budget time at the end of the year.

Treasurer Carla Rowe informed the BOCC that property tax collections for the first quarter is similar to previous years, but that sales tax revenues are up as reflected in many counties around the State over last year. She also indicated that with the new law not allowing penalties on delinquent property taxes as of this year, the collections are down to $4500 compared to over $22,000 last year though part of the current collection totals include penalties issued from delinquencies last year, as well as the interest paid.

In addition, because of the low interest rates, income from interest earned for the current expense reserve account is down to about $1000 from over $3000 last year. However, the current expense cash and reserve is up to over $2.6 million from just under $2 million last year at this time. Rowe conveyed that she is considering investing a small amount of additional money in U.S. bank bonds with the interest rate being a favorable 2%. The County currently has two bonds totaling $200,000.

Rowe provided a forecast on a few key financial situations. She first stated that "most financial firms are taking a real conservative look and investing more at this point in renewable energies. They feel that renewable energies are probably where the greatest growth will be." The first forecast was, "A survey by the National Federation of Independent Business discovered 72% of small business owners raised priced, and another half plan to continue to raise the cost of goods and services." For Washington State, she attributed this to the increase in minimum wage, as well as more generally the increased product cost and price to ship. The next forecast was "the producer price index advanced 11.2% year over year in March, the biggest monthly jump since November 2010." And lastly, she said forecasted that "in March, the yield curve did an inversion, which can be a predictor of a future recession. March 16 the Federal Reserve increased interest rate by .25%." She added that there has been recent talk of another increase of anywhere from .25% to .75% which is causing concern in the financial sector. She said that being a smaller County can be a benefit is this situation because there is less to lose with managing mostly basic costs for basic needs. The greatest impact to the County could be in sales tax revenues.

Commissioner Marty Hall asked Rowe about payment from Columbia Pulp I, LLC. She responded that money from the Columbia Pulp is anticipated to be received.

In other business, Commissioner Rundell requested the Commission consider approving the drafting an interlocal agreement for the County Public Works to give the City of Dayton the first option for the purchase of equipment and tools up to $50,000 value that normally go out to bid. If the value is over $50,000, items would go out to bid. The other Commissioners agreed it would be ideal to keep resources in the County.