HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/11/06 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES
Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA
Week of November 6,2023
Monday,November 6,2023
9:00 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.140(4)Labor Discussion
Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask met in closed session for labor
negotiation via Zoom from 9:00 a.m.to 10:00 a.m. Mark Neary,Mary Ransier,
Misty Kuhl, Cabot Dow,and Lindsey Smith were also in attendance.
10:00 A.M. Executive Session—RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)Employee Performance Evaluation
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty, and Trask met in executive session for employee
performance evaluation from 10:00 a.m.to 10:50 a.m. Mark Neary and Mary Ransier were
also in attendance.
10:30 A.M. Assessor's Office—Patti McLean
Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Ciara Stiles requested to convert an Appraiser Analyst position to a Senior Appraiser Analyst
position. The current staff is being compensated with Lead Pay. Approved to move forward.
10:35 A.M. Auditor's Office—Steve Duenkel
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty, and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Steve requested to re-establish the Chief Deputy Auditor position in 2024 per RCW 36.16.070
and to appoint Marie Stevenson into the position. The current and projected statement of
work within the Auditor's Office are greater than what can be performed in a 40-hour work
week. Mary Ransier shared concerns with the organizational structure,Union issues,and the
position being very Elections-specific. Tabled.
10:45 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson
Utilities&Waste Management
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty, and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Richard Dickinson recommended suspending the annual Consumer Price Index(CPI-U)water
and sewer utility rate increase for 2024 until the new rate structure is settled. The anticipated
community outreach timeline and rate adoption schedule was shared. Approved to move
forward.
• Richard shared the 2024 solid waste rate increases. The rates will increase by 5.4%beginning
January 1,2024. Approved to move forward.
• Loretta discussed continuing and re-advertising the Solid Waste Long Haul Transport and
Disposal Public Hearing. The content of the agreement is done,the form of the contract is
being finalized. Two separate actions will be required—an agreement for hauling and an
agreement for disposal. Commissioners shared their frustrations with continued extensions.
Mark added the previous contract was with one entity,while this contract will be with both
Mason County Garbage and Cowlitz County. Loretta added that the hauling contractor is still
responsible for providing disposal and has identified alternate disposal sites. This is a 10-year
contract. Cmmr. Shutty requested a list of outstanding items associated with the contracts and
what the milestones are.
• Mike Collins received an email from Ken VanBuskirk regarding creating a County Road
Project(CRP)for the Tahuya Post Office bridge. The CRP was created to track expenditures
for studying and design work. The judicial action being referred to in the email is based on
the 2016 storm event and an issue with the Department of Natural Resources. There is very
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little clearance under the bridge which causes debris buildup. This bridge is not eligible for
funding due to its small size,the plan is to lay out designs to elevate the bridge.
• Cmmr.Trask discussed appointing William Harris to the Transportation Improvement
Program Citizens Advisory Panel(TIP-CAP). Approved to move forward.
11:15 A.M. Support Services—County Administrator
Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Mary Ransier gave a synopsis of the settled Corrections Collective Bargaining Agreement for
2022-2024. A$10,000 retention bonus was paid out in 2022 and 2023. The contract included
an additional$2,500 retention bonus;wage increase of 12%at entry and 9.7%at the top step
for an overall 11.45%increase;employees receive an annual step increase;longevity pay after
completion of their 51 year of service;shift differential increased from$0.50 an hour to$1.00
an hour;and reduced threshold for being paid out of class. Mason County is ranked 4 out of 7
in the comprehensive study. Human Resources has attended eight career fairs and community
events,social media activity has increased,and funded the Law Enforcement Career Expo.
Civil Service lowered the minimum age requirement to 18 and lowered the threshold of
marijuana use. A Flex Spending Account(FSA)was implemented,personnel were shifted to
help recruitment efforts,and many more efforts were put forth.
• Mary shared the$52 increase to medical contributions from$1,466 to$1,518. Approved to
move forward.
• Becky Rogers requested to reappoint Mark Nault to the Civil Service Commission. Approved
to move forward.
• Nichole Wilston shared a defense and indemnification request for Chief Kevin Hanson.
Approved to move forward.
• John Taylor shared the Foothills Park Gatekeeper Agreement for the winter closure months of
November 1 through February 28. William Long,from the Friends of Foothills Dog Park,is
the point of contact. Approved to move forward.
• Jennifer Beierle discussed the Washington State Conservation Commission contract
amendments for the Voluntary Stewardship Program(VSP)to add$541,548.20. Approved to
move forward.
• Jennifer shared the draft requests for Supplemental Appropriations and Amendments to the
second Budget Amendment Public Hearing. Approved to move forward.
• Jennifer gave an overview of the 2024 proposed Budget. The Beginning Fund Balance in the
General Fund is$28 million. Grand total of all funds:Revenues$182,236,853; Salaries and
Benefits$49,127,849; Operating$74,172,997;Expenditures$182,236,853;full-time
employees(FTEs)416.79.
• Mark discussed the proposed ballot proposition for a rate of 2/10 of 1%Sales and Use Tax for
911 emergency communications for the February 13,2024 special election. Approved to
move forward.
Respectfully submitted,
McKenzie Smith,
Clerk of the Board
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BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Sharon Trask, Rand Neatherh , Kevin Shutty,
Chair Vice-Chair Commission
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