County considering Columbia REA building for offices

DAYTON–Columbia County Commission Chairman Ryan Rundell welcomed newly elected Commissioner Jack Miller to the board, then expressed gratitude for Charles Amerein's service at the first commission meeting of 2023 on January 3.

Commissioners were informed that dispatch is fully staffed, of grant issues, that plans are in the works to be submitted, and the REA building is being considered for county and city offices use.

New Director of Emergency Management Tina Bobbitt presented several brief updates for the department along with input from Operations Manager Desirae Lockard who served in the interim. Bobbitt said she is meeting with personnel from the state office to get up to date on requirements for funding and reimbursements.

Lockard announced they have finished training in dispatch, which makes the department fully staffed right now, but they will be losing another dispatcher who will be on maternity leave and when completed, plans to resign.

Bobbitt continued by informing the Commission that they did not have the EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant) grant application forms in by last June for 2022, funds which pay a good portion of her salary, so they will need to determine where that money will come from. They are in process of starting the process for 2023.

Other routine grants that fund Emergency Management are being applied for such as the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). She said she is not aware of other grant funding that could help pay her salary when Commissioner Marty Hall questioned her.

Bobbitt also plans to submit the Hazard Mitigation Plan to the State by an extended deadline of the end of March. She will also be working on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which should be submitted by the end of the year.

Her goal for the year is to hire an assistant to help with grant applications. She would like to set up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for an alternative dispatch center and to be an activation location. She also would like a list of staff and volunteers for disaster training. Additionally, she plans to connect the County to the Web EOC which allows for communication from the counties to State to document when an event occurs.

Commissioners discussed disbursement of funds from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservations. Hall suggested the funds be dispersed as if it was collected property tax per reference by Treasurer Carla Rowe. He said they would need to clarify whether to divide it according to the combined Fire Districts. Miller thought they should do whatever is easiest for Rowe. The other commissioners agreed they will consult with her further.

Hall stated he would like to create a list of the heads of departments who would be affected if they were to purchase the Columbia REA building and move those offices there and invite them for a tour on Monday, January 9. He specified there are 14 separate office spaces–some can be separated by cubicles. There is a conference room and an outdoor courtyard.

Hall spoke about federal funding to counties that have federal land that are issued a PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) which fluctuate. To make up for those variations they are issuing these funds. For Columbia County they have received $393,000 and are promised another $393,000. The building is listed within that total amount.

Dayton City Councilman Dain Nysoe was present and asked whether they would consider combining a City Hall with the County offices. Hall affirmed it would be worth consideration. Nysoe said Mayor Zac Weatherford was approached on the matter some time ago, but he hesitated to convert a business on Main Street to a government building. He thought that since the County is considering the building which would be more space than they need, that it may make sense and the mayor might feel differently.

A public hearing was set for January 9 for 2023 Budget Amendments at 9:00 a.m.