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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/02/26 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA Week of February 26,2024 Monday,February 26,2024 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 am. Mark Neary,Mary Ranier, Cabot Dow,and Lindsey Smith were also in attendance. 10:00 A.M. Sheriff's Office—Undersheriff Adams Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom. • Undersheriff Adams requested funding to complete the upfit of a command vehicle for the Sheriff's Office donated by Charlie's Vision. Estimated cost is$120,000. The Department of Emergency Management has a Starlink Communications System that may be available to use. Cmmr.Trask suggested searching for grant monies. Tabled. 10:10 A.M. Public Health—Dave Windom Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom. • Ian Tracy shared an On-Site Sewage Advisory Committee(OSAC)vacancy news release. Approved to move forward. 10:15 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson Utilities&Waste Management Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom. • Lovejoy Schaefer shared Road Vacations no.417 and 418 in the Plat of Allyn. Both have been vacated by operation of law. The hearing date with the Hearings Examiner would be set for April 24,2024 at 1:00 p.m. Approved to move forward. • Loretta provided a legislature update. $240k has been allocated for utility relocation for North Bay Victor Project fish barrier and$103k for the Beard's Cove replacement at Larson and Larson Lake Boulevard. Nothing has been allocated for the planning and design work for the Belfair sewer expansion. 10:20 A.M. Support Services—Mark Neary Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom. • Jennifer Beierle shared the January 2024 financial report. Current Expense revenue $2,457,344 at 6%. Treasurer Department receipts$1,455,369 at 5%. Current Expense expenditure$3,865,390 at 7%. Six-year specific revenue streams:Community Development revenue$297,789;Detention and Correction services$2,653;Current Expense property tax $38,016;Road Diversion property tax$4,084;County Road property tax$37,740;Current Expense sales tax$738,773;Criminal Justice taxes$286,326;Rural Sales and Use$91,933; Homelessness Prevention filings$40,414;Lodging tax$57,850;and REET 1 and 2$98,705 each. Collected revenue$738,772.98;budgeted$9.2 million;and projected end of year revenue$9,504,979.25. Current Expense cash$26,118,023. Special Fund cash$59,042,880. Motor Pool expenditure$43,476 at 2.25%. Special and Other Funds revenue$6,579,477 at 11%. Special and Other Funds expenditure$2,950,139 at 4%. • Mary Ransier discussed the Mason County comparable counties. Resolution language needs adjusted. Tabled. • Mary requested to remove Chapter 5.13 Career Incentive Policy from the Mason County Personnel Policy. Approved to move forward. • Mary shared the Resolution for the$5,000 recruitment bonus for the Public Works Wastewater Manager position. Approved to move forward. • Mark announced that 67.59%of voters voted to approve the increase of Sales and Use Tax rate of 2/10 of 1%for 911 Emergency Communication Operations. This will be effective July 1,2024. Approved to move forward. Page I 1 • Mark discussed the Mason County Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. Auditor Duenkel has done the lot draw for the six appointed and two applications have been received. • Mark shared that the legislature has brought forward Senate House Bill 2296 that adds a six- month extension to the required date of implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Counties have been writing letters to the Governor encouraging him to sign the bill. • Cmmr. Shutty added that Senate Bill 5780 is being heard in House Appropriations and asked that the lobbyist be engaged in the progress of this bill. • Cmmr.Trask requested to discuss the Criminal Justice Tax during an upcoming briefing. • Cmni Shutty requested that CHOICE join a briefing for an update. Tuesday,February 27,2024 9:30 A.M. Utility Rate Workshop—Loretta Swanson&Richard Dickinson • Loretta shared that Richard and Stephanie have been working with the utility crew to ensure meters are reading properly for customers in Rustlewood and Beard's Cove. This would give customers historical data on water consumption for when the rate change is implemented. Data is used to calculate a flat rate plus tier-based consumption. A draft letter,which will be directly mailed,has been created explaining the anticipated rate increase and how to access the rate calculator. The rate calculator was created by TDJ. The Homeowners Associations can also distribute the links via email. A link can also be shared on the homepage of the Mason County website. Belfair would change from a metered system to a flat plus tier-based rate. The goal is to be in a better financial position for both Belfair and Rustlewood. Capital needs and long-term debt needs to be considered. It will be made clear that staying within an affordability concept,improvements or levels of service may be at risk. Cost information for maintenance,operation,and replacements could be included to allow customers to be fully educated. Belfair and North Bay have capacity to expand,Rustlewood does not. For loans, rate studies and affordability must be shown. Information submitted for the Belfair project included the County's financial condition. Methodology and guiding principles for setting sewer rates is set by a Washington Administrative Code(WAC)which can also be included in communications to customers. Grant agencies use different variations to determine loan rates. Real Estate Excise Tax(BEET)and.09 funds are utilized for Rustlewood but there are limits on how and where those funds can be used. Outside sources can be utilized for capital costs. Expenditure projection can be rolled into categories and percentages to be more readable. Belfair will receive connection fees which can go towards future expansion,major repairs, and maintenance of the facility. There are three rate options: standard flat rate,graduated rate (standard rate plus tiered),and rate based on actual need of system. The estimated beginning timeline for community outreach is March. Summaries will be brought back in mid-April around actual rate proposals with potential Board action May 23 with rates going into effect June 1. Outreach will be done via direct mailers,online,town halls,etc. for each utility. Respectfully submitted, McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RaAdy Neatherlin, Kevin Shutty Sharon Trask, Chair Vice-Chair Commission Page 12