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Home My WebLink About2019/06/24 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA Week of June 24,2019 Monday,June 24,2019 9:00 A.M. Support Services—Frank Pinter Commissioners Shutty,Trask and Neatherlin were in attendance. • The Board agreed to hold a special meeting in Belfair on July 30 with updates on the Connector Road,MTA Park&Ride and review of the Animal Code changes. • The Belfair Sewer Advisory Committee will be removed from County Code because their mission is complete. • Final review of the 2020 Budget Guidelines and they will be placed on the July 2 agenda for adoption and will be circulated on July 8. • Jennifer provided amendments to the Budget Reserve amounts increasing the General Fund Operating Reserve from 12-15%to 15-20%of the prior year's expenditures; include a County Road New Road Projects Fund Reserve;County Road Operating Reserve and REET 2 Belfair Sewer Reserve. Cmmr.Neatherlin wants to be certain the Road Fund has enough cash for road projects and suggested they may need up to 5 years to meet the reserves. Frank noted that they need to include an ER&R Reserve. Jennifer will make sure this policy is part of the July Finance Committee meeting. • Jennifer also presented the Belfair Sewer debt payment schedule and the options on how to use the DOC$1.455M grant. The agreement was to pay off loan L0400017 and bring this issue back this afternoon when reviewing the Belfair Sewer financial status. • Application to request for$450,000 in funding for the Belfair Sewer from the.09 Sales Tax Fund will be sent to Public Works. • The North Mason MCSO Office three-year lease will be placed on the agenda. • Ross presented amendments to County Code to prohibit camping in County Parks except for special camping permits and to include that camping is prohibited on County owned real property and property held in trust. Cmmr.Neatherlin expressed concern with some of the language and Ross will check with legal staff before bringing back for another review. • Melissa Drewry presented the YTD report on county surplus property sales. Total sales in 2019,after taxes and fees,are$191,159.40. Melissa is working with the County Treasurer to schedule an on-line tax title sale in the fall. • Review of Public Safety Tax proposition information that will be placed on the website. • August 3 will be a Support Staff appreciation barbeque at Walker Park. 10:00 A.M. Community Services—Dave Windom Commissioners Shutty,Trask and Neatherlin were in attendance. • Proposal to conduct a public outreach to declare January as`Building Permit Month"and hold a forum in November to educate the public on the processes involved and trouble shoot the permit process in advance of the busy season. • Review of vehicle usage and costs for Community Services. The recommendation is to turn in two Community Health cars and use an ER&R rental and pay by mileage. The vehicle calendar will be managed by Support Services. Discussion included short and long term needs and vehicle replacement. • Staff is watching fire danger levels with the 4'`of July coming up. • Dave is continuing with WRIA work. 10:30 A.M. The Commissioners took a break until 10:35 a.m. 10:35 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson Utilities&Waste Management Commissioners Shutty,Trask and Neatherlin were in attendance. Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Minutes June 24,2019 • Approval to place on the agenda:CRP 1994 Highland Road Culvert Replacement Project award to Conway Construction; Special Project 701-4 Satsop Cloquallum Road Mitigation Project;and culvert replacement projects for Uncle John's Creek upper and lower culverts(Agate Loop Road)and Dayton Creek culvert(Highland Road). Highland Road closure will be placed on the June 25 agenda in order to meet the deadlines. • Cmmr.Shutty asked staff to check on the status of the culvert replacement at Shelton Matlock intersection. 11:00 A.M. District Court—Judge Steele Commissioners Shutty,Trask and Neatherlin were in attendance. • Judge Steele advised the Commissioners that District Court is looking to create a Community Court to assist defendants with life skills to comply with court orders,take reasonable steps to improve themselves and avoid a life of crime. The request is to increase the.2FTE in probation to a.5FTE • They are requesting two new positions to maintain minimal compliance with WA State law. Cmmr. Shutty noted that in the Safety Tax Proposition,it is proposed to add two staff to District Court. Cmmr.Neatherlin pointed out that in the 2019 budget cycle he had suggested adding a FTE that is split with the Court Clerk office. Patsy stated Judge Steele has issues with sharing staff with another office and Cmmr. Shutty asked for those concerns. There was discussion of District Court seeking Auditor O&M funding and funding from the Local Records Grant program to scan court records. Patsy voiced her concern with lack of staffing in her office. Commissioner Discussion—Cmmr.Neatherlin noted that the General Fund Ending Fund Balance will probably be close to$9M but we are increasing reserves. It was agreed to wait until fall to see the results of the Safety Tax Proposition before committing any funding for new staff. BREAK—NOON 2:00 P.M. Public Works/FCS Group—Loretta Swanson/Gordon Wilson Gordon Wilson,FCS Group,provided an updated Belfair Sewer financial analysis that explores ways to improve the financial health of the Belfair sewer. The sewer has annual revenue of$479K revenue;$640K operating cost;and debt service just under$1 M. The sewer is subsidized by other resources,REET 2 and.09 Rural Sales Tax Fund. In order to close the gap,the rates need to be increased and/or gain additional ERU's. The maximum tolerable rate is$106.55. The current definition of an ERU is 155 gallons per day and based on actual measured flows,that number is still valid. During the last legislative session the following appropriations were made:$11 million through the Public Works Board for constructing a sewer extension to the Lake Flora vicinity($2 million grant/$9 million loan);$0.515 re-appropriation through Commerce for the sewer extension design and$1.5 million through commerce for Belfair wastewater system rate relief. The Public Works Board loan application process is now open and applications are due by July 12. Cmmr. Shutty questions: How much is the annual cost difference per$1M grant received. Cost if the sewer is ran from the treatment plant to the County line versus to Lake Flora. Capital improvement costs need to be included. Cmmr.Neatherlin comments: Questioned the operation cost. The 34%increase may work for residential but it would have a huge impact on businesses. Board of Mason County Commissioners'Briefing Minutes June 24,2019 Requested staff to pursue getting something in writing from Ecology and other lenders regarding the Old Belfair Highway commitment. Discussed potential growth including 150 home sites and an apartment and suggested allowing the developer to put in the sewer line and then dedicate the sewer line to the county. Gordon noted it is common for developers to install sewer pipe and recover costs with latecomer fees. Gordon stated the Capital Facility Charge(CFC)can be reduced. Loretta will request approval to make application for a Public Works Board loan on the July 2 agenda. The briefing adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Zoren,Administrative Services Manager BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Kevin hudy Neath in haron Trasl Chair Commissioner Commissioner