HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/01/02 - Regular PacketAgendas are subject to change, please contact the Commissioners’ office for most recent version. This agenda was last
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BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DRAFT MEETING AGENDA
Commission Chambers – 9:00 a.m.
411 North Fifth Street, Shelton WA 98584
January 2, 2018
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
4.2 Selection of 2018 Chair and Vice-Chair
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input (5 minutes per person, 15 minutes time limit) If you wish to address the Commission, raise your hand to be recognized by the Chair. When you
have been recognized, please step up to the microphone and give your name and address before
your comments. The Mason County Commission is committed to maintaining a meeting atmosphere
of mutual respect and speakers are encouraged to honor this principle.
6. Adoption of Agenda
Items appearing on the agenda after “Item 10. Public Hearings”, may be acted upon before 9:30
a.m.
7. Approval of Minutes – December 18, 2017 Briefing Minutes; November 28, 2017
and December 19, 2017 Regular meeting minutes.
8. Approval of Action Agenda: All items listed under the “Action Agenda” may be enacted
by one motion unless a Commissioner or citizen requests an item be removed from the
Action Agenda and considered as a separate item.
8.1 Approval of Warrants
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant #s 8053299-8053758 $ 1,255,625.48
Direct Deposit Fund Warrant #s 46434-46808 $ 649,136.44
Salary Clearing Fund Warrant #s 7003297-7003328 $ 490,900.22
Total $ 2,395,662.14
8.2 Approval of the Hearings Examiner recommendation to approve Road Vacation Number 395,
vacating a portion of E. Mason Lake Drive West.
8.3 Approval to extend the contract with Bella Casa Cleaning Services to December 31,
2018 for janitorial services for County Facilities. The annual amount is not to exceed
$95,000 unless modified pursuant to the contract.
8.4 Approval of the 2018 Long Range Planning Work Program.
9. Other Business (Department Heads and Elected Officials)
10. 9:30 a.m. Public Hearings and Items Set for a Certain Time- No hearings.
11. Board’s Reports and Calendar
12. Adjournment
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
Mason County Commission Chambers, 411 North 5th Street, Shelton, WA
December 19, 2017
1. Call to Order – The Chairperson called the regular meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance – Jeff Meyers led the flag salute.
3. Roll Call – Present: Commissioner District 1 - Randy Neatherlin; Commissioner District 2 – Kevin
Shutty; Commissioner District 3 – Terri Drexler.
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
4.1.1 Don Pogreba sent in an application for the Mason County Transit Authority Board.
4.1.2 U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a reminder of the provision in our local flood
damage prevention ordinance that requires an evaluation of possible “substantial damage”
to buildings in in the special flood hazard area in light of recent flooding.
4.1.3 Mason County Auditor sent a District Validation Report.
4.2 Recognition of Jeff Meyers, District Court Probation.
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input –
5.1 Mike Olson discussed the City of Shelton meeting held December 18th. He addressed the
discussion had regarding beds in the jail versus the budget. Mike voiced disappointment with how
the situation was handled and said he hopes the issues can be corrected between the City and
the County.
Cmmr. Neatherlin responded saying that the County Commissioners had nothing to do with that
decision and apologized for the situation.
Ryan Spurling stated that it all came down to the matter of money.
5.2 Ken VanBuskirk commended the Sheriff’s office for responding to an issue at his home last week.
He also thanked the Board for postponing item 8.7. Ken said he has two issues that he would like
the board to review before the January 2nd meeting and passed out two documents to the
board.
6. Adoption of Agenda - Cmmr. Neatherlin/Drexler moved and seconded to adopt the agenda
as published. Motion carried unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye.
7. Approval of Minutes – November 27, and December 11 Briefing minutes; December 4 Special Meeting
Minutes; December 5, and December 12 Regular meeting minutes.
Cmmr. Drexler/Neatherlin moved and seconded to approve the November 27, and
December 11 Briefing minutes; December 4 Special Meeting Minutes; December 5, and
December 12 Regular meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. N-aye;
S-aye; D-aye.
8. Approval of Action Agenda:
8.1 Approval to spend $1,500 of Lodging Tax funds on the Waterfall Trail Brochure.
8.2 Approval to cancel the December 26, 2017 Commissioner Meeting.
8.3 Approval of Right of Entry Agreement between Parsons/Scarsella, JV and Mason County
for parcel #42024-13-00480 to perform civil and environmental surveys of
Goldsborough Creek located within the property bounds.
8.4 Approval to sign a Finding of Fact and face of plat granting the final approval of
Lakeland Village 14.
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 19, 2017 - PAGE 2
8.5 Approval of Warrants
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant #s 8053012-8053298 $ 233,068.70
Direct Deposit Fund Warrant #s $
Salary Clearing Fund Warrant #s $______________
Total $ 233,068.70
8.6 Approval of amendments to Mason County land development, planning and building
permit fee schedules to include the assessment of a non-refundable surcharge of two
percent on county development permits, and a five dollar convenience surcharge for
permits that may be printed from an online source. (Ex. A – Res. 84-17)
8.7 Approval of the 2018 Long Range Planning Work Program. Delayed until January 2,
2018.
8.8 Approval of a Resolution amending Resolution 60-07 and increasing the Utilities &
Waste petty cash by $200.00. (Ex. B – Res. 85-17)
8.9 Approval to set a hearing for Tuesday, January 9, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. to receive public
comment on the Private Line Occupancy Permit granting permission to run the water,
septic transport lines, and power under the North Shore Road for parcel 22218-14-
00050.
8.10 Approval of the resolution amending the operating hours of the Assessor, Auditor and
Treasurer's office effective January 1, 2018. (Ex. C & Ex. D – Res. 86-17 & 87-17)
8.11 Approval of the memorandum of understanding with AFSCME reflecting the reduced
staff hours in the Assessor's Office.
8.12 Approval of the 2018 Court Commissioner professional services agreement with Robert
Sauerlender for Court Commissioner services. The contract is for 24 hours per week
(.6 FTE), with a salary of $86,860.68 per year. This is split between the Superior Court
budget (.35 FTE) and Therapeutic Courts budget (.25 FTE).
8.13 Approval to reallocate $15,000 in the Public Defense budget from salaries/benefits to
operating expenses. This reallocation exceeds the authorization granted in Resolution
26-17 and therefore needs Commissioner approval.
Tom Davis asked to remove item 8.10 for discussion.
Cmmr. Neatherlin moved and seconded to approve action items 8.1 through 8.13 with the
exception of 8.10 and 8.7. Motion carried unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye.
8.10 Frank Pinter said that due to budget cuts, the offices will have a two week cycle, meaning
employees will have one week with 32 hours, with an alternating week of 40 hours. This
schedule change is in lieu of dropping a salary position.
Tom Davis said this change is a direct result of the budget cuts and suggested that people
may leave their positions with Mason County due to lower pay and cut hours.
Cmmr. Drexler voiced her appreciation for the departments working with the Board to come to
this decision with minimum impact to the citizens.
Cmmr. Drexler/Neatherlin moved to approve the resolution amending the
operating hours of the Assessor, Auditor and Treasurer's office effective January 1,
2018. Motion carried unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye.
9. Other Business (Department Heads and Elected Officials)- None.
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 19, 2017 - PAGE 3
10. 9:30 a.m. Public Hearings and Items set for a certain time –
10.1 Public hearing to approve the following supplemental appropriations and budget
transfers to the 2017 budget: (Ex. E)
Supplemental Requests
• $10,000 to Current Expense Clerk from Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
• $10,000 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from Bulletproof Vest Grant
• $5,000 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from WASPC Equipment Grant
• $2,186 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from Traffic Safety Grant
Budget Transfers
• $1,600 from General Fund Ending Fund Balance (#001-320) to the Office of Public
Defense (001-240)
• $20,000 from REET 2 (#351) to Belfair WW Sewer Utility (#413)
• $20,000 from Veteran’s Assistance Fund Beginning Fund Balance to Veterans
Assistance Expenditures (190)
• $4,500,000 Refinancing of LTGO Bonds (#403)
• $2,750,000 Refinancing of LTGO Bonds (#350)
• $55,142 General Fund Ending Fund Balance (#001-320) for various unexpected Sheriff
(001-205) expenditures
Frank Pinter noted that this is the final request for 2017 adding that the $2,750,000 LTGO bond needs to
be removed from the list because it was not refinanced.
Tom Davis questioned the beginning fund balance to the Veterans Assistance Expenditures. He then
asked about the $4,500,000 LTGO bond (#403) stating that the bond rating for the County went down,
and asked how that will impact us. Frank was unsure of the exact impact and suggested he check with
the Treasurer for those numbers. Cmmr. Shutty added that is the reason the other LTGO bond was not
refinanced.
Brenda Hirschi asked to have the downgrade information posted on the website. Frank said he would
have it posted.
Tom Davis stated that the change in the County bond grade is monumental. He read aloud from an
article in The Bond Buyer, and discussed the possibility of the grade falling further within the next two
years.
Brenda Hirschi has been attending the 2018 Budget workshops and noted that many things have
remained unchanged since she sat on a group to review the budget in 2010. She then discussed the
“budget games” being played by various departments, and noted that 2018 will be rough. She asked
that all elected officials and department heads work together.
Judge Victoria Meadows responded to Brenda Hirschi, noting that District Court is currently at 1997
staffing levels. She said the court is a team player, but cannot keep working at their current levels.
Cmmr. Neatherlin/Drexler moved and seconded to approve the following, with the
exception of the $2,750,000 Refinancing of LTGO Bonds (#350)
Supplemental Requests
• $10,000 to Current Expense Clerk from Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
• $10,000 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from Bulletproof Vest Grant
• $5,000 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from WASPC Equipment Grant
• $2,186 to Current Expense Sheriff’s Office from Traffic Safety Grant
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 19, 2017 - PAGE 4
Budget Transfers
• $1,600 from General Fund Ending Fund Balance (#001-320) to the Office of Public
Defense (001-240)
• $20,000 from REET 2 (#351) to Belfair WW Sewer Utility (#413)
• $20,000 from Veteran’s Assistance Fund Beginning Fund Balance to Veterans Assistance
Expenditures (190)
• $4,500,000 Refinancing of LTGO Bonds (#403)
• $2,750,000 Refinancing of LTGO Bonds (#350)
• $55,142 General Fund Ending Fund Balance (#001-320) for various unexpected Sheriff
(001-205) expenditures
Motion carried unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye.
10.2 Public Hearing to re-certify to the County Assessor the amount of taxes levied for
county purposes and the amount of taxes levied for each taxing district for 2018.
Continued from November 28, 2017. Staff: Frank Pinter
Frank Pinter addressed the reason for the continuance of this hearing and read through the
three motions that need action.
Tom Davis questioned the increase in the levy. He said it is only $105,203 and some change
spread throughout the County. Frank said that is correct, adding that the roads department
currently has bank capacity around $841,000. If the Board chooses to not take the 1%, those
funds would be added to the capacity balance.
Brenda Hirschi asked if there are any plans for to use these funds on projects this year. Frank
answered that they are planning to use it in upcoming years on large projects as outlined in
the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). She asked if that information could be made to
the public. Frank advised that the six year plan could be modified to include the cash flow
planning of the roads fund.
Loretta Swanson explained that the TIP goes in front of the Board yearly with an explanation
of funds being used. She added that the TIP is available on the website.
Tom Davis spoke saying that when these types of decisions are made, people will speak out
because they don’t want to be taxed. He said that though nobody wants higher taxes,
sometimes it is necessary for services. He asked the Board to approve the increase to begin
building funds up.
Cmmr. Neatherlin/Drexler moved and seconded to increase the levy by 1% bank
excess capacity and amend Resolutions 75-17 and 77-17. Motion carried
unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye. (Ex. F & G – Res. 92-17 & 90-17)
Commission discussion was had about the 1% increase.
Cmmr. Drexler/Neatherlin moved and seconded to increase the road levy by 1%,
bank the excess capacity, and amend resolution 74-17 and 76-17. Motion carried
unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye. (Ex. H&I-Res. 91-17 & 89-17)
Cmmr. Neatherlin spoke in favor of this motion, noting that it is a positive move.
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 19, 2017 - PAGE 5
Cmmr. Drexler said she hopes the Sheriff can use this money to prevent cuts over the next
year.
Cmmr. Shutty spoke in support of the levy, adding that he is voting in favor to make sure the
traffic diversion monies stay where they need to be.
Cmmr. Drexler/Neatherlin moved to certify to the County Assessor the amount of
taxes levied for County purposes and the amount of taxes levied for each taxing
district for 2018. Motion carried unanimously. N-aye; S-aye; D-aye.
(Ex. J-Res.88-17)
10.3 Public hearing to consider adoption of the 2018 budget for Mason County continued
from December 5, 2017. Staff: Frank Pinter
Frank Pinter once again presented. He read the resolution to be signed aloud pointing out
that the current expense budget for the General Fund is $36,930,990 and the Special Funds
budget is $59,585,384 for a total of $96,516,374.
Sheriff Casey Salisbury announced that basic public services will be limited such as responses
to barking dogs, alarms, and small issues. He said they will be returning to 2002 standards
due to this cut. The Sheriff went on to say that the people spoke loudly about not wanting
another tax. He read from an article about how the criminal justice system is being impacted
across the nation, and closed by saying he is unsure of the future of the system in Mason
County.
Travis Adams thanked the Commissioners and Frank Pinter for all of the conversations, but
also stressed that the budget process and communication in Mason County need work. He
noted that as recent as yesterday, funds were cut from the 2018 Sheriff Budget. He said that
better communication in the future is necessary to prevent the last minute discussions.
Sheriff Barret said this entire budget process has been dysfunctional and disorganized adding
that there is no mission or vision for Mason County. Sheriff Barret stated that there are no
performance measures implemented as in years past. He asked that at the beginning of
2018, they look at their goals for the county. He then addressed Brenda Hirschi’s comments
regarding road diversion and traffic policing.
Theresa Ehrich stated that at the beginning of 2017 the Sheriff’s office had 109 employees,
whereas now they have 16-18 less. She discussed contracts for deputies, the jail, and various
other costs for the department.
Cmmr. Drexler noted that it is interesting that the Sheriff’s office is asking to work together
while insulting the Board in the same breath. She said that when she started, the budget at
the Sheriff’s department was $8.4 million while this year’s budget is being considered at
$12.3 million. She addressed the fact that the Sheriff’s office didn’t submit their budget as
requested though every other department was able to. Cmmr. Drexler thanked the Board for
working together, adding that each one of them was forced to put things aside to make this
budget work. Cmmr. Drexler said that not everybody will be happy with the budget, but she
is happy with how they came to the 2018 budget as presented today.
Cmmr. Neatherlin said it is hard to work together when your budget isn’t turned in on time.
He addressed the complaining to the media and the intimidation placed on the Board while
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 19, 2017 - PAGE 6
noting that every other department has had to deal with cuts as well, and has done so
without complaining to the public. Cmmr. Neatherlin also addressed the Jail expansion, and
the number of Chiefs within the department versus Kitsap and Island County. He talked
about the fact that out of the top 50 highest paid employees within Mason County in 2017,
41 of them were from the Sheriff’s department. Many of those in that category are there due
to overtime. Out of the top five highest paid, not counting the two main judges, three of
them are deputies. He stated that he will be voting in favor of the Budget.
Cmmr. Shutty thanked the other Commissioners and members of the public that have
participated in this budget. He noted some positive and negative issues he found while
working through the 2018 budget. Cmmr. Shutty added that when the amended resolution
for the reserve policy, that gave the County five years to build back reserves to the previous
level (12-15%). Though it has been difficult, he said better days are ahead while noting that
he does have some issues with this budget. He said a serious conversation needs to be held
regarding mental health issues in Mason County and praised Cmmr. Drexler for her work thus
far. Cmmr. Shutty said that it has been a battle to this point and he will be voting no on the
budget. Though there is good work, he is holding out for better.
Cmmr. Drexler/Neatherlin Moved to adopt the 2018 budget in the total amount of
$96,516,374 . The current expense is $36,930,990 and the total other funds are
$59,585,384. N-aye; S-Nay; D-aye. (Ex. K- Res. 93-17)
Cmmr. Neatherlin and Cmmr. Drexler discussed mental health. She said that the jail will
receive $150,000 more for mental health services. In the 2019 budget, Cmmr. Drexler said
that with a written proposal brought to the Commission, she would strongly consider
providing $150,000 of local Mental Health Tax for crisis intervention training for the Jail staff,
and would also be willing to consider the same type of training for the line staff.
11. Board’s Reports and Calendar - The Commissioners reported on meetings attended the past week
and announced their upcoming weekly meetings.
12. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
ATTEST:
____________________________
Melissa Drewry, Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
_______________________________
Kevin Shutty, Chair
_______________________________
Terri Drexler, Commissioner
________________________________
Randy Neatherlin, Commissioner