Will Hutchens appointed County Auditor

DAYTON-The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) heard reports from each of the department heads at the meeting on March 20 with a key report from Treasurer Carla Rowe about proposed legislation that would affect Columbia County taxpayers. Public Works Director Grant Morgan presented several items for adoption including a departmental organizational chart, union, and non-union salary schedules and two job descriptions–one for a facilities manager and another for road foreman. Dena Martin from Planning and Building submitted a county ordinance to revise the code as part of the 2023 annual comprehensive plan amendment cycle. The Board of Health convened and a request was made for a public health vehicle using Foundational Public Health funding. Also, a presentation was given from a consultant firm that submitted a bid to assist with the community needs assessment as required by the State.

The department head meeting began with an introduction of the newly hired County Auditor Will Hutchens. Treasurer Carla Rowe reported that she was recently invited by Representative Mary Dye to testify in support of HB 1756 which since has passed the House March 17, and is now going on to the Senate.

The bill attempts to rectify the revenue lost from the renewable energy sales tax exemption which for Columbia County was $6.8 million just on the last two projects. It proposes that it would exempt the State portion only for personal property tax on wind towers and instead impose an excise tax on non-exempt Columbia County taxpayers for wind energy generation to be divided between the County, the schools, and the Tribe to be spent at the discretion of each. Rowe had it confirmed from the Department of revenue that it would total about $792,000.

A representative from Clark County attempted to amend the bill before it passed but was unsuccessful. She will be contacting Senator Mark Schoesler and Representative Mark Klicker who has authored the House bill about her concerns about the burden on the taxpayers. She suggested that a lobbyist would catch these bills before they become law. The Commission suggested contacting Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

Public Works Director Grant Morgan presented the newly created and approved facilities manager position and salary schedule for adoption. He will begin advertising immediately to fill the position. Also adopted was the job description and union salary schedule for a road foreman which will need to be approved by the union. This replaces the former road supervisor position.

Dena Martin from Planning and Building presented Ordinance 2023-01 for two amendments to the County Comprehensive Plan following the required process. The amendments were to revise the flood damage prevention regulations, as well as to correct zoning errors for the areas north of Harlem Road and south of Wagon Road of being zoned as commercial.

The Commission adopted the revisions. She told the Commissioners that an advisory committee is being formed for the Wastewater Treatment Project as required because as an essential public facility they would have to follow code. She suggested a commissioner sit on the committee, and Commissioner Ryan Rundell volunteered.

The Board of Health convened, and Administrator Katie Roughton requested to advertise for bids for a departmental vehicle for environmental health inspections. Funds are available from State Foundational Public Health including for maintenance and fuel. They would have to determine how insurance is paid. Rundell said usually for county vehicles, they are purchased through Emergency Rental and Replacement (ER&R) though the vehicle could be paid for with the funds from Foundational Health. The subject was tabled to gather more information.

Mackey Smith from Tanner Consultants and Advisors was asked to make a bid presentation for the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) that will be a foundation to the county strategic plan as required by the State. It will be funded by Foundational Health not to exceed $90,000. The process for the CNA includes a Phase 1 for establishing a process through research on county organization, budget, relevant ordinances, and initiatives. Phase 2 would include community surveys and forums, focus groups with select local stakeholders and meetings with key stakeholders. The initial process would take from April through May and then in June they would assess any gaps in the responses received. Phase 3 would be to process the information gathered, present it to the Board and then move on to developing, communicating, and implementing the strategic plan by November. Mackey would be bringing in local Jason Utt to assist in developing the survey and with meeting facilitation. Roughton requested they move forward and accept the bid from Tanner Consultants and Advisors. The Board approved the bid unanimously.