BOCC hears of crisis in the lack of crisis management in the County

DAYTON-The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) were advised of two town hall meetings; heard from medical staff from Columbia County Health System during an extended public comment period on April 17 regarding a crisis in the lack of crisis management. Helm also provided key updates from his department, as well Kristi Zinn from Human Resources. Dena Martin from Planning and Building provided information about the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The first quarter finance report was presented by Treasurer Carla Rowe. They also approved a job description for an office position for public health before holding the monthly Board of Health meeting.

Two town hall meetings are being offered this week at the Fairgrounds Pavilion on Tuesday April 16 and Wednesday April 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. to provide information to the public about issues, ideas and solutions about the Columbia County Courthouse and Jail. Also coming up on April 22 is Drug Take Back Day at the Bank of Idaho Parking Lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to drop off unused or old medications for proper disposal to keep them out the hands of the youth.

Three medical professionals from Columbia County Health System came to make comment during the public comment portion of the BOCC meeting about the need to review the contract with Walla Walla Comprehensive Crisis Health Care and to consider options for improving crisis care that would better meet best practice standards.

The crisis service was previously provided through Blue Mountain Counseling, but they no longer could staff professionals to handle cases. The BOCC was faced with limited options on how to meet this need and decided to utilize the Walla Walla branch of Comprehensive Crisis.

One of the issues brought forth was the delay in care from Comprehensive of up to 10-14 hours which can be critical in cases where an individual is greatly disabled in some capacity. Dawn Meicher, ARNP said they have communicated with Walla Walla Comprehensive and the larger quality insurance department, as well as with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to communicate the need to improve care and response. She is working to gather information about deficiencies in the service and plans meet with Comprehensive and local stakeholders to address the issues.

Commissioner Jack Miller inquired as to what specific changes they desire. Meicher answered they are seeking oversight of the program and quicker response time. County Prosecutor Dale Slack said he is also working on ways to address the issues.

Sheriff Joe Helm affirmed that the department has faced difficulties coordinating services with Comprehensive.

The Public Health Department with help from Blue Mountain Counseling is launching the Community Needs Assessment. Administrator Katie Roughton said that the more participation they have and the more data they gather will help to determine where the gaps are for funding needs. She added that she expected the findings will show the need for crisis intervention.

Human Resources Director Kristi Zinn said she is anticipating the Washington CARES Program roll-out in July after it was put on hold last year and changes were made in January. She is preparing for a handbook review committee to begin meeting in May and she also plans to reinstate the safety committee. She will be receiving administrative training from Washington Counties Insurance Fund on the County's insurance program.

In other business, Dena Martin from Planning and Building said they are progressing on the Shoreline Master Program, and she anticipates adoption in June or July. They submitted a grant application for the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan to the Department of Ecology, and they were invited to increase their funding request because they had so few applicants. Martin said they could apply for a Flood Plain by Designs Plan and allocate the money to FEMA for the planning for sediment removal in the Touchet River. The total amount they are considering is $625,000 which has a $125,000 matching fund requirement. Grant Morgan added that they could design the dike system in town and into the Urban Growth Area and have a design proposal and advanced plans to qualify for construction funds. There are funds for the match requirement available in the Flood Control Zone District fund.

The first quarter finance report was provided by Treasurer Carla Rowe. Property taxes billed for 2023 were down to $11,439,000 from 2022 of $11,732,400. There is $1,122,000 still owing from previous years. Of the amount billed in 2023, $1.75 million was billed for current expense with $190,600 outstanding of which $141,000 is attributable to Columbia Pulp. Property tax collections are down for the first quarter at $748,298 compared to last year of $840,000.

Sales tax revenue was up from the previous year as was rural county sales tax. Current expense interest income was $509 which was a significant increase of 30% or more over the past two years since 2022 where it was $1059. Interest and penalties were similar to last year. The interest earned for the current expense reserve account was $17,236 which was much higher than previous years of $1000 and $3300. Other revenues without taxes include the opioid settlement, city contract, fees and permits were nearly $100,000 less than last year at just over $300,000. The current expense cash and reserve was $2,263,000 as compared to $2,655,000 for the first quarter in 2022. The annual yield interest rates have greatly increased to 4.9% over the average of around just .1% last year which increased the yield rates at the end of the quarter to just under 4.9 from .22.

The BOCC approved a job description for the new Office Coordinator position for Public Health ahead of going into the monthly Board of Health meeting where they discussed and approved the purchase of a vehicle for the department for Environmental Health services using Foundational Health Funds from the State.

Helm reported two of his deputies are graduating from academy this month.