HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/06/03 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING MINUTES
Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA
Week of June 3,2024
Monday,June 3,2024
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 a.m. Mark Neary,Mary Ransier,
Christopher Pinkston,Cabot Dow,and Lindsey Smith were also in attendance.
10:00 A.M. Sheriff's Office—Chief Hanson
Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Chief Hanson discussed the open Jail positions and new hire timelines as well as booking
restrictions which were lifted in April. The monthly averages for inmate costs,populations,
and staff were also shared.
10:10 A.M. Community Development—Marissa Watson
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Marissa shared the 2025 Mason County Comprehensive Plan Community Vision Survey
news release. Approved to move forward.
10:15 A.M. Public Health—David Windom
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Dave shared the intent to apply for the Reentry Demonstration Initiative which provides pre-
release services for individuals leaving incarceration. The funding amount would be up to
$2.5 million. Approved to move forward.
• Melissa Casey shared the notice of funding availability for the Consolidated Homeless Grant
(CHG)Homeless Response System for an additional$512,085 news release. Approved to
move forward.
• Dave received notice from the opioid settlement portal that a settlement fund application for
Kroger is available.
• Dave met with the new CEO of Community Action Council(CAC)of Lewis,Mason,and
Thurston and is requesting to set up a future briefing time for introductions.
10:25 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson
Utilities&Waste Management
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Richard Dickinson discussed the Resolution for a sole-source bulk purchase of forty-seven
(47)grinder pumps from Correct Equipment for$162,491.77. Approved to move forward.
• Mike Collins shared the maintenance agreement with Washington State Department of
Transportation(WSDOT)to perform maintenance for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
installed on State Route 106 at Twanoh Falls State Park. Approved to move forward.
• Mike requested to close Bear Creek Dewatto Road to replace twin culverts on the Tahuya
River at milepost 5.29 from August 19,2024 to August 30,2024. Approved to move
forward.
• Loretta shared the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy(CEDS)project updates.
10:35 A.M. Support Services—Mark Neary
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
Page I 1
• John Taylor discussed the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)between Mason County
Parks&Trails Department and the South Mason Youth Soccer Club for overflow parking for
Mason County Recreation Area(MCRA). Approved to move forward.
• Jennifer Beierle shared the draft 2025 and 2026 preliminary budget preparation guidelines.
Approved to move forward.
• Jennifer reviewed the 2025 budget rates for internal cost allocations,Information Technology,
State Auditor's Office charges,unemployment,and Motor Pool. Approved to move forward.
• Mary Ransier shared the June 1,2024—December 31,2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement
for Teamsters Local 252 Prosecutor's Support Staff. Approved to move forward.
• Mary discussed the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)with Teamsters Local No.252
General Services to include bilingual provision language in the current Collective Bargaining
Agreement(CBA). Approved to move forward.
• Mary requested to close Human Resources on Tuesday,June 25 for a workshop. Approved to
move forward.
• Becky Rogers shared the application from Dawn Johnston Dean for the Board of Equalization
(BOE).
Tuesday,June 4,2024
10:00 A.M. Commissioner's Office Workshop
Commissioners Neatherlin,Shutty,and Trask were in attendance.
• Mark discussed the Central Services Manager(CSM),Diane Zoren's,upcoming retirement
and the opportunity to look at the structure of the Commissioner's office. Many technical and
broad job duties have been assigned to the CSM position. Cmmr.Trask pulled organizational
charts from other Counties for comparison. Cmmr. Shutty shared consideration is needed for
how to recruit for this position. The CSM position has evolved due to Diane's unique skillset,
length of experience,and knowledge. Central Services needs to be prioritized. The scope of
work needs to be dispersed and aligned with what is in the marketplace today. The CSM
position should not remain structured as it is. Cmmr.Neatherlin discussed having working
managers and Cmmr. Shutty brought up Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA)concerns.
Diane added that the County Administrator is already over capacity and more direct reports
should not be added. Mark shared multiple scenarios,specific skillsets,and responsibilities
have been considered. Some departments will be easier than others. For example,IT should
remain under Central Services since it covers the entire County. Each department needs an
individual who can evaluate and hold staff accountable on a day-to-day basis and knows when
Commissioner involvement is needed. Cmmr.Neatherlin and Mark discussed budget and
bow wave concerns. Mary added that position descriptions could be revised,responsibilities
can be transferred to a manager. The CSM position is extremely high level. An option is to
remove that position and have managers or leads. Mark shared he works with Diane often to
address challenges and Diane is often sought out for help with bids and purchasing. Diane
discussed staffing and Union restrictions. The CSM position does a lot of larger decision
making,prioritizing,tracking,and follow through for the departments that report to it. Cmmr.
Shutty discussed workload concerns. The Parks Department is about 70-75%maintenance
and 25-30%admin and is staffed accordingly. Diane shared that capital development and
capital improvement is lacking and needs more oversight. Mark included that before issues
come before the board,Diane coordinates and handles. Diane added that she does a lot of
administration along with oversight. Cmmr.Neatherlin shared that having the Department of
Emergency Management(DEM)and Parks combined is not working. Cmmr.Trask shared
the Clerk of the Board(COB)position typically is under either Commissioners or County
Administrator. Mark would like the COB to work directly with the County Administrator for
administration and organization. An Executive Assistant position was discussed to help the
County Administrator with managing schedules,coordinating,day-to-day operation,
Page 12
researching,etc.
Respectfully submitted,
McKenzie Smith,
Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Rarty Nea erlin, Kevin Shutty, Sharon Trask,
Chair Vice-Chair Commission
Page 3