Sheriff: Patrol vehicle situation in 'dire straits'

DAYTON–Columbia County Sheriff Joe Helm informed County Commissioners that his office is in "dire straits" and they are in a "horrible situation with patrol cars right now," Commissioners heard during a December 12 Special Meeting.

Helm said two cars have been in the shop for two weeks while the department juggles cars to cover shifts. Other cars in the fleet are older with high miles and are having issues as maintenance has been deferred. Most counties switch out at 120,000 miles or every five years to avoid these problems, Helm said. The situation is also affecting job performance and he cited one example of a breakdown occurring when a deputy was responding to a burglary.

Civil Deputy Sarah Boudrieau is actively seeking up to $989,000 in grant funding, but Helm presented some lease options for Commissioners to consider to address the office's immediate need for six vehicles.

Public Works Director Grant Morgan mentioned there is $200,000 in the budget for ER&R (Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund) and he recommended starting the lease process for six vehicles.

In other business, a public hearing was held for the six-year transportation plan for Columbia County with Chief Engineer Morgan. Representatives from the Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Reservation presented an intergovernmental agreement for County services rendered to the Rainwater Wildlife Area, and another interview was held in executive session for a Human Resources Director. A lease agreement was approved for office space for the new department.

Morgan presented the six-year transportation improvement plan (TIP). Projects he listed for next year include the Tucannon Road from milepost 5-10, which is the top priority, Vernon Smith and Starbuck Bridges, Boldman Grade, the bridge rail project, Frog Hollow Phase 2, Kellogg Hollow Phase 3, Trump-North Touchet Bridge, Coates Creek Bridge, Patit Road overlay work and updates the Columbia County Safety Plan for upgrades on delineators.

One county resident spoke up about farm implements and road graders taking them out and then not being replaced. Morgan acknowledged the importance of delineators for keeping vehicles on the roads and out of the ditches especially when there is poor visibility. A resolution will be presented to the BOCC to approve the TIP at a future meeting.

Representatives from the Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation presented an intergovernmental agreement to appropriate funds to Columbia County of $15,000 each April for nine years from 2023 until 2031 and another $15,000 to be paid for 2022 at the execution of the agreement. This is for county services for the Rainwater Wildlife Area. The funds can used at the BOCC full discretion. Resolution 22-094 was passed approving the agreement.

Also approved was a lease agreement to begin January 1 for office space adjacent to the Commissioner's office for the newly formed Human Resources Department. The BOCC held an interview in executive session of another candidate for the Director of Human Resources.