HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/09/29 - Regular 1Y
Board of Mason County Commissioners
Proceedings
Commission Chambers
411 N 5t' St, Shelton, WA 98584
September 29, 2026
1. Call to Order—The Chairperson called the regular meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance—Reverend Bill led the flag salute.
3. Roll Call—Present: Commissioner District 1—Randy Neatherlin; Commissioner District 2—
Pat Tarzwell; Commissioner District 3—Vacant.
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
4.1.1 Commissioner Sharon Trask submitted a letter of resignation.
4.1.2 Letters of support were received for Clean Water District(CWD)funding from Green
Diamond and Taylor Shellfish Farms.
4.1.3 Raini Fogel sent in a letter regarding the County's budget.
4.1.4 Cyal Christmas submitted an advisory board application for the Board of Equalization
(BOE).
4.1.5 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC)sent in a letter regarding Cushman No.2
Development,Thirteenth Part 12D Report,Periodic Plan Submittal and an extension of
time request to file documentation of public access to Dry Creek Trail and a revised
recreation plan.
4.1.6 Dane Gustafson submitted an advisory board application for the Noxious Weed Control
Board.
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input
Cynthia Stang,Jane McGee,Susanna Jones,and April Pooler read Commissioner Sharon Trask's
resignation letter into record.
Reverend Bill Baker,Mt. Olive Lutheran Church,encouraged the County to approach current
issues with clarity and thoughtful action focused on the well-being of residents and acknowledged
that the past cannot be changed and encouraged the Commission to focus on moving forward,
seeking wisdom,healing,and a collaborative solution.
Sharon Diaz shared that Sharon Trask was an amazing Commissioner and encouraged her to
prioritize self-care and healing.Sharon also encouraged the Commissioners to follow established
historical protocols and felt that George Blush would be a good Commissioner.
Rick Ragsdale referenced the 2017 layoffs and the impact on affected employees and families and
expressed concern regarding accountability for those decisions.Rick also raised concerns about
the Auditor's actions and alleged secret meetings involving the Auditor and Steve Van Denover,a
potentially hostile work environment,and potential lawsuits and their impact on the County.
6. Adoption of Agenda
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published.Motion
carried.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye.
7. Approval of Minutes
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to adopt the September 14 and 21,2026
Briefing Minutes and September 15,2026 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented.Motion
carried.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye.
8. Approval of Action Agenda
8.1 Approval of Warrants and Treasurer Electronic Remittances
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant#8123400-8123793 $2,114,984.99
8.2 Approval of the purchase of an Inspired Flight IF 1200 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 plus shipping expenses.
8.3 Approval of the Resolution cancelling outstanding warrants.(Resolution No.2026-045)
8.4 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,October 27,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider the
request to rezone parcel no.22206-31-00000 from Rural Residential 10(RR10)to Rural
Residential 5 (RR5).
8.5 Approval for Environmental Health to use$10,000 in Real Estate Excise Tax(REET)funds for
paint and new carpet for staff/office rearrangement.
8.6 Approval for Public Works to purchase a replacement booth for the Hoodsport Drop Box
station off of the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services(DES)contract for the
estimated cost of$163,700 plus tax.
8.7 Approval of the Resolution authorizing the sole-source purchase of AquaDisk replacement
.components,spare parts,and control upgrades from Aqua-Aerobic Systems,Inc.on a sole-
source basis through December 31,2027,for the total amount of$168,311. (Resolution No.
2026-046)
8.8 Approval for the County Administrator to sign the three-year GovQA software contract for
continued use of the public records tracking system for a total amount of$97,314.27.
8.9 Approval to set a Public Hearing for Tuesday,October 27,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to review final
project performance for County Road Project(CRP)2062 Evergreen Estates water main
extension.
8.10 Approval of the Resolution amending Resolution no.2025-068 for the County's 2027 health
insurance contributions: effective January 1,2027,for participants of the Public Employees
Benefits Board(PEBB)Medical program,which allocates through the pooling method,
$1,179.04 per month County contribution for employees with single enrollments on medical,
$1,179.04 per month County contribution for employees with single enrollments on medical,
and$2,129.89 with dependent enrollments,for Teamsters Probation,Community&Family
Health,Non-Represented,Elected Officials,Sheriff's Lieutenants Guild,Public Defenders,
Prosecutors Support Staff,Public Defense Support Staff,Deputy Prosecutors,and General
Services. (Resolution No.2026-047)
8.11 Approval for the Clerk to sign the Washington State Patrol(WSP)Federal Grant Subrecipient
Interagency Agreement for National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)funding in the
amount of$97,878.32.
8.12 Approval to establish the agreed upon 2027 General Fund budget actions, including nine
position reductions, a three-month hiring delay, six annual furlough days, identified funding
shifts, and conditional improvements, as outlined in the 2027 General Fund Budget Summary.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to approve action items 8.1 through 8.11 with
the removal of Item 8.12 for separate discussion and vote.Motion carried.Neatherlin-aye;
Tarzwell-aye.
Item 8.12
Cmmr.Tarzwell stated that the item was being removed due to legal concerns and that this item would
need to go through a public hearing.Item died due to lack of a motion.
September 29,2026 1 Page 2 of 5
Cmmr.Neatherlin expressed concern that the County was moving backward in spending.
Kim Monroe,Human Resources Director,explained the required process for potential workforce
reductions and that the County must engage in good-faith negotiations with affected unions and
provide notices of intent,as applicable.Employees who may be affected should receive notice as early
as possible and that applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements(CBAs)must be followed.Non-
represented employees would not be affected by this process.Kim requested clear direction and a
basic framework from the Commissioners so Human Resources could proceed appropriately.
Cmmr.Neatherlin provided a statement regarding the allegations of treating female employees
unfairly,stating that he treats employees equally and that corrections are sometimes necessary.He
noted that meetings and interactions are recorded and stated that two Commissioners have authority to
conduct County business,while one Commissioner does not.He stated that he does not conduct
County business off the record and that accusations can be made easily.Cmmr.Neatherlin also
touched on and provided examples of how he was out in the community during Covid.
9. Other Business(Department Heads and Elected Officials)
Ken VanBuskirk,Cemetery District No. 1,appealed for support in fmding a replacement clerk for
Sharon Hankinson who is resigning for health reasons.
Steve Duenkel,Auditor,read a statement in response to Cmmr.Trask's letter of resignation,
providing more information and context.Auditor Duenkel explained that the voter registration
challenge was filed by a private citizen based on allegations regarding residency and that,as
Auditor,he conducted due diligence.When Cmmr.Trask submitted a voter registration
cancellation form she was no longer registered to vote in Washington and was no longer eligible
to serve as a Commissioner.
10. 9:15 a.m.Public Hearings and Items Set for a Certain Time
Please see above options to provide public testimony. These options are available only while COVID-19 OPMA
meeting restrictions are in place.
10.1 Public Hearing to consider the Ordinance regulating wake-enhanced motorboat operation on
lakes within Mason County. Staff:Travis Adams
Travis shared that this is a continuation of the Public Hearing for the potential wake enhanced
boat Ordinance and requested to continue Public Hearing to Tuesday,November 24,2026 at
9:15 a.m.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Doug Stankavich,Lost Lake,asked whether committee meetings were open for public
comment and was advised they were.Doug owns a wake-enhanced boat and property on Lost
Lake and expressed concern that photographs and incidents involving his boat had been
selectively presented.He questioned the objectivity of the technical advisors and referenced
Water Sports Industry Association(WSIA)recommendations supporting a 200-foot distance,
stating that proposed distances of 500 to 1,000 feet were excessive.
Jim Manley addressed boating safety and property impacts,describing an incident involving
grandchildren being swept by a wake into a bulkhead,expressed concerns about wakes pulling
on docks and damaging cleats,and raised concerns regarding equitable use of waterfront
property.
September 29,2026 1 Page 3 of 5
Randy Crawford,Lake Wooten,stated he has lived on Lake Wooten since 1982 and supports
everyone being able to enjoy the lakes.Concerns centered around shoreline erosion,bulkhead
damage,and property damage from large wakes.Randy clarified that his concern was not with
wake-enhanced boats themselves,but with the size of the wakes produced when boats are
ballasted and questioned who would be responsible for resulting property damage.
Stephanie Brooks,Spencer Lake,expressed concern regarding the lack of approved minutes
from recent committee meetings and the ability of the public to follow the committee's
progress. Stephanie questioned the independence of the technical advisors and suggested that
information be obtained from individuals without a personal interest in the outcome and raised
concerns about property damage and the financial impact on individuals who recently
purchased wake-enhanced boats.
Edna Crawford,Lake Wooten,stated that individuals purchasing wake-enhanced boats should
understand the potential impacts and regulations associated with their use and expressed that
she had no objection to wake-enhanced boats on larger lakes but raised concerns about their
use on smaller lakes.
Duane Friedlander referenced the Wake Boat Advisory Committee meeting and also expressed
concern that the technical advisors appeared to favor one position after going through the
correspondence that was submitted for the Public Hearing.Duane questioned the reliability
and context of some materials and shared concern about the tone of portions of the discussion
and requested access to minutes from previous meetings.
John Wolf,Lake Wooten,discussed the significant amount of property damage and shoreline
impacts that is caused by wakes.John had no objection to wake enhanced boats,but Lake
Wooten is only a 60-acre lake.
Jim East,Phillips Lake,shared that the committee would provide its findings and information
for the Commissioners to consider and emphasized that lakes are a shared resource and
encouraged consideration of differing perspectives,acknowledgment of potential biases,and
efforts to find a compromise.
Leah Reynolds,Lake Wooten,also expressed concerns about shoreline and bulkhead erosion
caused by waves and stated that smaller children leave the water when larger boats pass.
Josh Steele,Lost Lake,shared that he has experienced situations where individuals
intentionally position themselves to record boats,creating an uncomfortable environment and
noted that wakes can be generated by conventional recreational boats as well as wake-
enhanced boats.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to continue the Public Hearing to
consider the Ordinance regulating wake-enhanced motorboat operation on lakes within
Mason County to Tuesday,November 24 at 9:15 a.m.Motion carried.Neatherlin-aye;
Tarzwell-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 10:35 a.m.
September 29,2026 1 Page 4 of 5
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
� Y1
McKenzie SnMth, Clerk of the Board Pat Tarzwell, Chair
Randy eatherli , Vice-Chair
Vacant,Commissioner District 3
September 29,2026 1 Page 5 of 5