HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/04/28 - Regular Board of Mason County Commissioners
Proceedings
Commission Chambers
411 N 5t" St, Shelton, WA 98584
April 28, 2026
1. Call to Order—The Chairperson called the regular meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance— Eric Onisko led the flag salute.
3. Roll Call—Present: Commissioner District 1 —Randy Neatherlin;Commissioner District 2—
Pat Tarzwell; Commissioner District 3—Sharon Trask.
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
_ 4.1.1 Received Planning Advisory Commission Application from William Bezanson.
4.1.2 Received Notice of Cannabis License Application for HAPI FARMS LLC,EMERALD
SEA OF GREEN,and HIGHER GROUND CANNABIS LLC.
4.1.3 Received Correspondence from Ron Glowen regarding Mason County's appointment to
the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees.
4.1.4 Received Press Release from Central Mason Fire&EMS regarding Live Fire Training
Burn April 29th&30`I',2026.
4.1.5 Received Letter from City of Bremerton regarding MOU with Mason County for Sewer
Service.
4.1.6 Received Correspondence from Melody Woolf regarding Plain Leaf Kratom.
4.1.7 Received Correspondence from Heather Weaver regarding Wake Boat Ban—Concerns of
Mason Lake Impact.
4.1.8 Received Correspondence from Margaret Colvin regarding Timberland Regional Library
Board of Trustees.
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input
Reverend Bill Baker, announced that Mt. Olive Lutheran Church is commemorating 100
years in Mason County. Rev.Baker provided a blessing over the commission.
Susan Kirchoff,Youth Connection provided an update on the progress of the upcoming
building remodel,which will add 12 transitional housing units for youth ages 18-24. The
program supports youth experiencing homelessness and instability,by bridging gaps between
systems. In March,it helped youth secure housing, employment,and school re-engagement
while providing daily meals through community partnerships.These efforts build trust and
support long-term stability,helping prevent chronic homelessness.
Ken VanBuskirk referenced the recent correspondence from Mayor Wheeler regarding the
Memorandum of Understanding with Mason County for sewer service and expressed
disappointment with the County's delay in following through. He urged renewed
= collaboration with the city and state representatives,emphasizing the importance of the
project for future development on the Belfair plateau near the sewer facility.
6. Adoption of Agenda
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Trask moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published.Motion carried
unanimously.Neatherlin-aye; Tarzwell-aye; Trask-aye.
7. Approval of Minutes
Cmmr.Trask/Neatherlin moved and seconded to adopt the April 13 and 20,2026,Briefing
Minutes;April 14,2026,Regular Minutes; and April 14,2026,Elected Official Meeting Minutes
as amended.Motion carried unanimously.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye; Trask-aye.
8. Approval of Action Agenda
8.1 Approval of Warrants and Treasurer Electronic Remittances
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant#8120205-8120744 $1,678,283.10
Direct Deposit Fund Warrant# 125071-125482 $ 980,957.66
Salary Clearing Fund Warrant#7009598-7009637 $1,395,274.50
8.2 Approval to reappoint Katherine Diane McLean to the Board of Equalization(BOE)for a three-year
term expiring May 31,2029.
8.3 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,May 26,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider and take
comment on adopting a wake-enhanced motorboat operation ordinance.
8.4 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,May 26,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider and take
comment on the ordinance amending Mason County Code Chapter 6.64 Group B Water System
Regulations.
8.5 Approval for Public Works to execute amendments to the Washington State Department of
Transportation(WSDOT)Utility Construction Agreement for the State Route 302(SR 302)Victor
Creek Project.
8.6 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,May 26,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider and take
comment on the ordinance amending Mason County Code Chapter 9.48 Outdoor Burning Program.
8.7 Approval of the North Mason Regional Fire Authority(NMRFA)Syndemic Clinical Services
contract amendment no.4.
8.8 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,June 9,2026,at 9:15 a.m. at which the Board of
County Commissioners will sit as the Board of Equalization to consider the Final Assessment Roll
for Shetland Road Improvement District(RID)No.2024-01 and approval to set a Public Hearing for
Tuesday,June 9,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider establishment of road into county road system and a
speed limit for Shetland Road Improvement District(RID)No.2024-01. (Resolution No.2026-015)
8.9 Approval of the Resolution adopting the Mason County Language Access Plan.(Resolution No.
2026-014)
8.10 Approval of the budget amendment to use Real Estate Excise Tax(REET)2 funds to make payment
to the United States Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)for the County's portion of the Preliminary
Engineering and Design(PED)Phase cost share agreement for ecosystem restoration projects within
the Skokomish valley,and authorize the same for the Construction Phase payment request once
received.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Trask moved and seconded to approve action items 8.1 through 8.10 with the
removal of item 8.3 for further discussion.Motion carried unanimously.Neatherlin-aye;
Tarzwell-aye; Trask-aye.
Item 8.3
McKenzie Smith explained that complaints were received regarding damage that wake enhanced boats
cause on local lakes,and the item on today's agenda is to set a public hearing to consider and take
comment on adopting a wake-enhanced motorboat operation ordinance. The public hearing would be
held May 26,2026 at 9:15 a.m.
Doug Stankavich requested clarification of the public hearing date and asked that a separate meeting
be scheduled for this agenda item because it will be contentious. Cmmr.Tarzwell stated that the
public hearing date will not be changed.
April 28,2026 1 Page 2 of 6
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Cmmr.Neatherlin/Trask moved approve item 8.3 to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,May 26,
2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider and take comment on adopting a wake-enhanced motorboat
operation ordinance.Motion carried. Neatherlin-aye; Tarzwell-aye; Trask-aye.
9. Other Business(Department Heads and Elected Officials)
No other business.
10. 9:15 a.m.Public Hearings and Items Set for a Certain Time
10.1 Public Hearing to consider the South Mason Fire District territory withdrawal.
McKenzie Smith presented a request from South Mason Fire Protection District No.4(DBA South
• Mason Fire&Rescue SMFR)held a properly noticed Public Hearing and adopted three Resolutions in
accordance with RCW 57.28.050.The District then certified the authenticity of those Resolutions and
provided formal written notice to the County on January 12,2026,as required by RCW 57.28.060.
Upon receipt of the notice,the role of the Board of County Commissioners(BOCC)is to provide
public notice,conduct a public hearing,and make the determination required under RCW 57.28.080 as
to whether the BOCC finds in the affirmative and in agreement with the District the two statutory
• conditions set forth in RCW 57.28.050.If the BOCC does not make an affirmative finding,the matter
proceeds in accordance with RCW 57.28.090.
South Mason Fire&Rescue held a properly noticed Public Hearing on January 7,2026,and notice for
the Mason County Public Hearing was noticed April 9 and April 16,2026,in the Shelton-Mason
County Journal. The following actions were before the BOCC:
1. Approval of the Resolution related to South Mason Fire&Rescue Resolution No.224,225,and
226 containing findings of fact affirmatively answering the questions set forth in RCW 57.28.050
for the withdrawal of the Squaxin Island Tribe territory within the District.
2. Approval of the Resolution denying South Mason Fire&Rescue Resolution No.224,225,and 226
if any questions set forth in RCW 57.28.050 are answered in the negative or the findings of the
county legislative authority are not the same as the findings of the District Board of
Commissioners and setting a special election as set forth in RCW 57.28.090.
3. Approval to continue the Public Hearing to Tuesday,May 26,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider the
withdrawal of Squaxin Island Tribe territory from South Mason Fire Protection District No.4.
Public Testimony:
Vicki Kruger,Squaxin Island Tribe(Tribe)elder,stated that this is a matter of life and death and
warned that approving this would unfairly exclude their community and urged the BOCC to not approve
the request.
Charlene Krise,Tribe member,thanked the district for coming to her house to help during a recent
medical issue. She has great respect for the work they do and sad that they are making this move.
Beverly Hawks lifelong Kamilche area resident,expressed concern about the fire district withdrawing
services,questioned its benefit to the tribe,highlighted the life-or-death importance of emergency
response in a rural area,and urged negotiation and cooperation to reach a workable agreement.
Joshua Whitener,Tribal Council Treasurer,stated that withdrawing tribal land would not benefit tribal
_ or local communities and would increase response times.Negotiations with the fire district have been
ongoing and they are close to agreement. The proposed withdrawal is premature and emotional,and he
emphasized a long-standing collaborative relationship. He urged denial of the request and would like a
continued partnership.
April 28,2026 1 Page 3 of 6
Maria Littleson,descendant of the Skokomish tribe and a Tribe program manager,emphasized the
critical role of the fire district in saving lives and supporting vulnerable elders.She highlighted real-life
emergencies to stress that response times are life-or-death and expressed strong appreciation for the
partnership,urging continued collaboration and an agreement to maintain services.
Eric Quinn,council representing South Mason Fire and Rescue,stated that the proposed withdrawal is a
legally authorized,financially driven decision—not an emotional one—based on the district's statutory
duty to serve all areas equally.He explained that rising service demands and limited tax revenue,
especially from non-taxable tribal trust lands,create an unsustainable unfunded obligation.The
withdrawal is presented as benefiting both the district and the tribe by preventing service degradation
and allowing the tribe to develop its own fire services,while enabling the district to maintain adequate
service levels overall.
Nathan Shreiner,council for the Tribe,argued that the BOCC's role is limited to determining whether
the withdrawal benefits the tribe,and having multiple tribal members testify against the proposal shows
that it does not. He explained that active negotiations and existing agreements provide a path to address
financial concerns without withdrawal.
Sadie Whitener,local tax payer,stated that this conversation erodes her faith in this district to think they
would not respond to her friends that live near her that are tribal members.
Charlene Krise requested that they be allowed to go back to the table to discuss financial issues,which
would give us time to work this out.
Gregory Rudouph,Fire Chief,acknowledged the emotional nature of the issue but emphasized the need
for long-term sustainability.He stated that increasing demand from tribal growth,combined with
limited revenue and rising costs,creates an unsustainable model.The proposed withdrawal was
described as a necessary,forward-looking decision to maintain service levels and financial stability,
while still seeking partnership.
Beverly Hawks again expressed concern that the withdrawal frames tribal services as a financial burden
'and disputed claims that the tribe does not contribute.She urged the fire commission to support
continued partnership and renegotiation,emphasizing that both sides should return to the table to
address funding and maintain cooperation.
Lisa Jones,Squaxin tribal member,shared a personal experience highlighting the importance of timely
fire and EMS response,expressed gratitude for the fire district,and emphasized the tribe's willingness
to contribute financially.She urged better communication,negotiation,and continued partnership to
ensure services remain in place for the community.
Ray Peters,Squaxin tribal member stated that the tribe has historically paid for fire services through
negotiated agreements and disputed claims that the tribe does not contribute financially.He noted that
the existing contract runs through 2031 and argued that the tribe is being unfairly singled out in the
proposed redistricting and urged that the issue be put to a public vote.
Vicki Kruger described historically positive relationships with local emergency services and expressed
frustration with current fire district leadership,attributing to the breakdown in relations with recent
decisions.She strongly criticized the fire chief and commissioners and opposed the proposed
withdrawal,urging continued service to the community..
Christy Krise,Puyallup Squaxin tribal member,shared a personal experience of delayed emergency
response involving a family member and expressed concern about response times to the reservation.
They also addressed comments about taxation,noting that many tribal members who are employed do
pay taxes.The speaker expressed emotional concern about the current situation and its impact on the
community.
April 28,2026 1 Page 4 of 6
Taylor Krise,Tribal Council member,emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on community
safety while acknowledging that financial and business issues are central to the dispute.He expressed a
desire for continued dialogue with the fire district to better understand cost concerns and called for
renewed negotiation to reach a fair agreement,or send it to the people for a vote.
Eric Quinn raised a procedural concern about election timelines,noting that delaying a decision today
could affect ballot placement under state election law and recommended the BOCC consult with county
legal counsel.
Nathan Shreiner advised consulting county legal counsel regarding election timing,stating the matter
could be deferred and that state election laws would likely take precedence over fire district statutes.He
reiterated that multiple tribal members living in the district have testified that the withdrawal would not
benefit them,which is central to the BOCC required finding.
DISCUSSION:
Cmmr.Neatherlin stated that the proposal is based on financial considerations rather than race and
noted the district is under significant burden.He expressed that decisions of this nature should rest with
the public when possible,does not see the withdrawal as benefiting the tribe,and supported either
continuing the matter for further negotiation or denying it so it proceeds to a vote of the people.
Cmmr.Trask emphasized communication and collaboration,raised questions about ballot costs and
process,and expressed leaning toward denying the request so it could go to a public vote. She
reaffirmed respect for tribal sovereignty,appreciation for first responders,and the importance of
decisions being made in the public's interest.
McKenzie reported that she has worked with legal staff and the options before them today has support
of the legal team. The Election department is aware and ready to go if they chose option 2. Cmmr's
discussed the option of delaying this decision for two weeks and what that timeline would mean for
holding a special election.
Cmmr.Tarzwell acknowledged concerns from both sides and noted support for delaying the decision to
allow further negotiation. He expressed sympathy for the fire district's position,stated the action did
not appear to be motivated by malice,and emphasized the district's intent to maintain service capacity
for the broader community.
10:25 a.m. Broke for Executive Session—RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)Potential Litigation.
10:40 a.m. The BOCC discussed the legal aspects of this with County council and it was determined
that the public hearing could be postponed until May 12,2026 for further public comment and
deliberation.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Trask moved and seconded to continue the public hearing to May 12,2026 at
9:15 a.m.to finalize the discussion and take additional public comment. Motion carried.
Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-nay;Trask-aye.
11. Board's Calendar and Reports—The Commissioners reported on meetings attended the past
week and announced their upcoming weekly meetings.
12. Adjournment—The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
April 28,2026 1 Page 5 of 6
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
nhcDc
McKenzie Smi , Cl of the Board Pat Tarzwell, Chair
Prepared by Cami Olson
In1 , 7I%-
Randy eathe1lin, ice-Chair
Sharon Trask,Commissioner
April 28,2026 1 Page 6 of 6