HR director hired just in time?

DAYTON-The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) welcomed new Human Resources Director Kristi Zinn as a number of jobs with the County will be needing filled in coming weeks.

Introduced to the heads of County departments were Commissioner Jack Miller and Human Resources Director Kristi Zinn by Chair Ryan Rundell. Zinn said she is taking the first weeks of her employment to gauge the needs of the departments. Environmental Health Generalist Ray Abramson was introduced by Public Health Administrator Katie Roughton. Other departments reported the loss of employees. District Court Clerk Diane Dill said their part-time person gave notice and will need to be replaced. Jason Laughery from Courthouse Maintenance reported they need to fill the janitor position which is now vacant. Also, Public Works Director Grant Morgan said that Engineer Tech David Finney resigned, and Morgan plans to review the job description. He went on to report for his department to say that the projects have been moving slow. The Lower Hogeye Road project is slated to begin in April. Preliminary work is being done to prepare for the Starbuck and Vernon Smith Bridge projects. He is also working on getting cost estimates for six vehicles for the sheriff's department. He said that FEMA reimbursement money is expected to be distributed to the County.

The BOCC told the department heads they plan to form two committees–one for the handbook policy and another for county benefits. They asked them to contact them if they are interested in participating. Rundell spoke about the expected franchise agreement from Charter Communications for broadband and cable. Commissioner Marty Hall added that the State is sponsoring a study for all counties to increase readiness for expanding broadband into the rural areas.

The fourth quarter financial report for 2022 was presented by Treasurer Carla Rowe. It showed the property tax collection for current expense was down from last year by about $130k, however the outstanding property tax for current expense is $190,603 with $163,855 attributed to uncollected taxes from Columbia Pulp and $208,990 from County Road. The overall collection rate for 2022 was 98.76%. Sales tax revenues were down about $50,000 but Rowe said it is normal to fluctuate. The current expense investment income had a significant increase with improved rates of about $21,000 compared to $6,000 the previous year. Other revenues were up that Rowe attributed to having hired additional deputies and issuing increased building permits. Year-end current expense cash, reserve and benefits were down from last year by about $300,000 but it is still up from previous years.

The Board of Health convened and voted in favor of the chair of the County Commissioners to also chair the Board of Health meetings. Roughton shared that a Community Needs Assessment is required every two years by Washington State Foundational Health to receive funding. The assessment will determine the top five safety concerns for the County and from there the development of a strategic plan is required.

At the request of Dena Martin from Planning and Building, the County Commissioners approved the reappointment of Planning Commission members William Carter, Jason Towery, Gerald Middel, Peter Paolino, and Charles Reeves. She provided an annual update to say that revenues were $50,000 more than projected while expenditures were down $60,000. There were 204 permits processed last year and the department continues to contract to offer services to Dayton, Waitsburg, Starbuck and Garfield County for buildings inspections.