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Home My WebLink About2026/09/14 - Briefing Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Minutes Mason County Commission Chambers,411 N 5th Street,Shelton,WA 98584 Week of September 14,2026 Monday, September 14,2026 9:00 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)Performance Review of a Public Employee Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell met in closed session for performance review of a public employee from 9:00 a.m.to 10:00 a.m.Attendees:Travis Adams,Kim Monroe,Kayla Brinckmeyer, Christopher Pinkston. 10:00 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.140(4)Labor Discussion Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell met in closed session for labor negotiation from 10:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.Attendees:Travis Adams,Kim Monroe,Kayla Brinckmeyer, Christopher Pinkston. 11:00 A.M. Clean Water District Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Ian Tracy,Art Whitson,Jason Ragan,Erica Marbet,and Nick Schneider,members of the Clean Water District(CWD),recommended the Ordinance to increase the parcel fee to$8.01 per parcel and extend the sunset date for another five years,expiring at the end of 2031.Cmmr.Tarzwell shared his support. Cmmr.Neatherlin supports two years at the current rate.Tabled. 11:15 A.M. Sheriff's Office—Sheriff Spurling Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Lieutenant Schoeneberg requested to renew the Summit Food Services contract for jail food services. This renewal will have a 3.4%increase and will take place on February 1,2027.Tabled. • Lieutenant Birklid and Lieutenant Severance discussed the one-time purchase of an Inspired Flight IF1200 Heavy-Lift Hexacopter system and associated thermal/visual sensor,batteries,maintenance kit, ground control station,and field landing pad for the estimated cost of$67,300.20.Approved to move forward. • Lieutenant Schoeneberg shared the 2026 National Criminal History Improvement Program(NCHIP) Grant and he additional request of Livescan Plus fingerprint/palm print machine which includes hardware,software,installation and training,and a 20-hour per week employee for 6 months to work with the courts and Prosecutors'Office to assist with the backlog of missing dispositions that are required to be reported to the State for the estimated cost of$66,071.83.Tabled. • Lieutenant Birklid and Lieutenant Severance discussed dedicating 100%of eligible proceeds generated from Sheriffs Office evidence and unclaimed-property sales to evidence operations,storage improvements,and expansion of secure evidence-storage capacity.Cmmr.Neatherlin would like this to go to a designated fund. • Lieutenant Schoeneberg shared he was notified last week that the healthcare provider for the Jail will not be extending their services at the end of the year.Commissioners requested to do a Request for Proposals(RFP)for inmate healthcare services. 11:30 A.M. Treasurer—Brittany Pearson Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Brittany shared the Resolution cancelling outstanding warrants in the total amount of$7,053.70. Approved to move forward. 11:35 A.M. Community Development—Kell Rowen Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Marissa Watson shared the Tahuya Ranch LLC's request to rezone parcel 22206-31-00000,which is approximately 40 acres from Rural Residential 10(RR10)to Rural Residential 5 (RR5)within the rural lands.Approved to move forward. 11:40 A.M. Public Health—David Windom Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. September 14,2026 1 Page 1 of 3 Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Minutes Mason County Commission Chambers,411 N 5th Street,Shelton,WA 98584 • Melissa Casey shared the Local Plan Committee citizen applications received from Adam Maldonado, Megan McKenzie,and Jamie Ellertsen.Interviews will be scheduled. • Ian Tracy and Kelly Frazier discussed the rearrangement of Environmental Health desk locations to relieve overcrowded workspaces,reduce distractions and noise,and replace 20+year old carpet and repaint with standard county colors.Approved to move forward. • David shared increase of birth and death certificates from$25 to$35. 11:50 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson Utility&Waste Management Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Richard Dickinson requested to replace the booth at the Hoodsport Drop Box facility for the estimated cost of$177,778.The new booth will provide heating and cooling,running water,a staff restroom, electrical outlets,interior lighting,and locking,roll-down window guards.Approved to move forward. • Richard shared the sole-source request for Aqua-Aerobic Systems,Inc.AquaDisk®Disk Filter Rehabilitation and replacement components for the estimated cost of$182,785.75.Approved to move forward. • Loretta discussed the Stretch Island Bridge and the authorization to submit a grant application to the Public Works Board emergency fund for the estimated repair of$50k.Approved to move forward. • Loretta discussed County comment on the new State Route 3 (SR 3)Freight Corridor Access Report and Plan. • Loretta discussed Theler trailhead parking lot upgrades and the Belfair sewer connection requirement. Commissioners requested additional options. 12:00 P.M. Support Services—Travis Adams Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • McKenzie Smith provided an update on the 2026 Public Records Requests(PRR)year-to-date. • McKenzie shared the GovQA Public Records tracking system cost increase. • Kim Monroe discussed the application received from Malissa Jordan and asked how Commissioners would like to proceed regarding the applicant's eligibility. • Kelly discussed the Historic Preservation Grant received for the Mason County courthouse in the amount of$616,662. • Tanessa Noll provided an update on grants. • Jennifer Beierle discussed scheduling budget workshops.A budget overview is scheduled for October 5,2026. • Jennifer shared the August 2026 financial report.Current Expense revenue$32,077,589 at 67%. Treasurer department receipts$21,319,921 at 67%.Current Expense expenditure$35,910,831 at 62%. Six-year specific revenue streams:Community Development revenue$1,415,022;Detention and Correction services$124,589;Current Expense property tax$6,390,188;Road Diversion property tax $1,263,428;County Road property tax$5,830,553; Current Expense sales tax$6,883,680;Criminal Justice tax$1,510,728;Rural Sales and Use tax$823,543;Homelessness Prevention filings$477,662; Lodging tax$647,246;and Real Estate Excise Tax(REET) 1 and 2$1,002,658 each.Total collected revenue$6,883,679;revenue budgeted$9.6 million;and projected end of year revenue$10,547,646. Current Expense cash$20,528,359. Special Fund cash$72,218,204.Motor Pool expenditure $1,133,432 at 58.3%.Special and Other Funds revenue$33,948,662 at 56%. Special and Other Funds expenditure$33,459,060 at 46%.Total County debt$13,427,044;remaining capacity$203,161,663. • Travis discussed Cmmr.Trask's resignation. 12:25 P.M. Break 12:40 P.M. Budget Workshop Commissioners Neatherlin and Tarzwell were in attendance. • Commissioners agreed on the elimination of eight positions,a three-month hiring delay,six annual furlough days at 90%participation,road diversion shift,and a levy shift from Public Works. Other items discussed were outsourcing Juvenile Detention,paying the Grant Writer position and two September 14,2026 1 Page 2 of 3 Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Minutes Mason County Commission Chambers,411 N 51 Street,Shelton,WA 98584 Security Deputies from.09 funds,paying a Corrections Deputy position from Treatment Sales Tax (TST)funds,and two Code Enforcement positions from Real Estate Excise Tax(REET). 12:40 P.M. 356'District Legislative Meeting • Discussion included state and local funding challenges,transportation,housing,public safety, infrastructure,and rural community needs.Rep.Travis Couture and Drew MacEwan discussed the state budget deficit,affordability,public defense,transportation funding,and the Belfair bypass/freight corridor.They encouraged Mason County to be an active participant in discussions with Washington State Department of Transportation(WSDOT)and to pursue public-private and regional partnerships. Also discussed were opportunities and challenges related to lodging/infrastructure funding,affordable and workforce housing,land-use regulations,illegal dumping and nuisance properties,and potential changes to county ordinances.Public defense staffing and funding were identified as significant concerns,particularly for rural counties.A portion of the discussion focused on the County jail and public safety facilities,including current facility limitations,staffing shortages,potential renovation or expansion,behavioral health services,regional partnerships,and possible revenue-generating opportunities.The need for a long-term plan and updated assessment of County jail needs was discussed.Infrastructure needs were also reviewed,including sewer capacity and spray-field improvements,potential partnerships with Bremerton,transportation concurrency,and intersections along state routes.Participants discussed opportunities to leverage state,federal,and local funding to advance projects.Representatives from public health,emergency management,and other County services discussed reductions in state funding,rural/urban funding disparities,staffing and capacity challenges,and the need for more equitable distribution of state resources.The need of an in-county autopsy facility was also discussed. Respectfully submitted, McKenzie Sm h, Clerk of the Board BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Pat Tarzwell, Ra y Neatherlin, aronrTr-as1€, V2Canlc Chair Vi "-Chair Commissioner September 14,2026 1 Page 3 of 3