BOCC signs off on USFS environmental impact study

DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) signed Blue Mountain Intergovernmental Council memorandum; approved job description updates; the remodel of the fairgrounds jockey office; and other business meeting February 5. The board also held two executive meetings to discuss personnel issues, and potential litigation against the county. No action was taken following the executive sessions.

Commissioners also signed the Blue Mountain Intergovernmental Council memorandum pertaining to a U.S. Forest Service environmental impact study of the Blue Mountains. This memorandum requests they be allowed to move forward with the study on the county's behalf. Commissioner Marty Hall stated the USFS would do the work with or without the county's cooperation, but with this agreement, the BOCC can stay in the loop on the study's progress.

The BOCC approved updates to several job descriptions for positions within the county and set up a wage compensation committee to research and discuss salary ranges for several county employment positions. The committee will be comprised of Commissioner Ryan Rundell, Grant Morgan, Will Hutchens, Carla Rowe and Kristi Zinn. The group plans to meet promptly and have information ready to present by the next commission meeting. Public Works also asked for approval to shop different insurance options for employees with better coverage and deductibles.

In addition, it was requested the Public Works Facilities Manager Tyler Huff be allowed to remodel the jockey office at the fairgrounds and use it for his facilities office. The commissioners interjected that the Fair Board and other people and groups use that building during specific events. As long as they still have use of the building, the BOCC likes the idea of the building being fixed up. Work would include cleaning it, painting, lights, and a mini split for heat and air conditioning.

According to a public records request submitted to the County Administrator by Dayton Chronicle, it was found Columbia County is the defendant in five active cases. Two involving complaints from former County employees; one involves a complaint of alleged mistreatment while incarcerated at the Columbia County Jail and while at other facilities in the State; two are for alleged public records act violations. One of the cases for public records act violations was filed in 2020 and the other was filed in December 2023 by Theresa Eier, who has a similar active lawsuit against the city and city council member Laura Aukerman. It is not clear which of these five cases was discussed at the current meeting.

In other business, the BOCC signed the 2028 commissioner salary which included no raise. They voted to pay the yearly dues to Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

Sheriff Joe Helm also requested a new credit card with a limit of $1,000 for his new hire sheriff. Which was approved by the commissioners.