Commissioners decide not to restrict open range

 

March 3, 2022



DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) were advised of the internet technology update and upgrade occurring; the Senior GIS Specialist hire, and continuing discussion on the consolidation of Environmental services with Walla Walla County, other departmental business and the open range issue at the morning and evening meeting February 22.

The Commissioners held a public hearing for discussion on open range at the evening meeting February 22. There were ten who attended in person and one on Zoom. Previously Rich DeLorenzo came forward with a request that the Commissioners consider restricting open range since more people are living in the County and he had experienced damage on his property from cattle. In response, the Commissioners agreed to hold the public hearing to listen to the all sides of the matter. After a series of comments made by those present, the Commissioners agreed they did not want to restrict open range but suggested residents improve fencing and signage which would increase liability.

The County Internet Technology department run by Tim Dyke will provide three upgrades for county security. One is already in the works for a system to better protect against email SPAM and other threats. Scam emails soliciting for gift cards have been sent on multiple occasions to County employees. This has raised concern about the security of the County system and Dyke said the new system should be implemented in the next couple of weeks. The other upgrade is for security video storage. Dyke said that while the County can request a particular video to be saved, the system is set at 30 days and storage is already close to full. County Prosecutor Dale Slack said that saving video for longer than 30 days is advisable and after some discussion it was agreed the upgraded system would store files for 75 days. Dyke suggested for better storage capacity and security, the County will be moving to the Cloud and will be slowly moving to Microsoft 365 for interoffice use.

Interim County Engineer Jeremy Weiland told the Commissioners they have hired John Guillotte for the Senior GIS Specialist position. PBS Engineers and Environmental is now contracted to do the Kellogg Hollow Phase 2 project surveying and right-of-way work. The Boldman Grade project is also a priority to meet requirements of the County Road Administrative Board (CRAB) loan, the next step will be putting the project out to bid to contractors.

The Commissioners discussed their recent meeting with the Walla Walla County Commissioners about possible merging of one or more programs and possible full consolidation. All agreed there is merit to combining services for environmental health services because the County already has a contract for their services. They would be in favor of consolidating the program if regular weekly environmental health services are provided to Columbia County for restaurant inspections and other services. Nancy Wenzel of Walla Walla Department of Community Health also proposed combining to cover communicable disease. However, there is very little need for those services in the County. The Commissioners thought they would wait to decide about communicable disease services when someone fills the vacant public health administrator position.

When Public Health convened, the Board continued the discussion about the public health consolidation. Both Interim Administrator’s Delphine Bailey and Chelsey Eaton concurred that there is little need for communicable disease service in Columbia County and what they do have is handled by the Spokane Regional Health District at no cost.

Bailey suggested they alter the existing contract with Walla Walla County for environmental health to pay a reasonable increased cost for weekly service to Columbia County rather than consolidate the departments. “I just think you really need to think about regionalizing,” Bailey said. “It makes me very nervous...I do not think it’s a good idea for Columbia County…When she [Wenzel] was talking about assessments and the cost of assessments–yes, that’s expensive. However, through the Greater Columbia Communities of Health and through the Southeastern Washington Alliance of Health, I’ve been told there could be funding to cover the cost of assessments so we have other options. When the emergency declaration is lifted, we have no idea what public health is going to look like. We don’t know if we’re going to be expected to do testing, vaccinations–the hospital is doing it now because they have the funding to do that. But once that funding is gone, is that going to fall back on public health? That could fall under foundational public health funds. I think there’s a lot to be looked at and that one meeting getting the information you got is not all the information you need to make a decision.”

In addition, Bailey and Eaton reported they planned to hold two interviews for program coordinator later in the week.

In other business, County Planning Manager Dena Martin updated the Commissioners about the Shoreline Master Program to update policies and regulations to say a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be posted for a consultant for the program. A team including Commissioner Ryan Rundell will pick from the top three candidates.

Sheriff Joe Helm spoke generally about pending legislation that, if passed would remove some of the new restrictions placed on law enforcement officers allowing such as shotguns, pursuits, and Terry stops again. He also spoke of the opposition of sheriffs around the state to legislation to limit citizen magazine capacity because of infringement of their rights. The department has received 13 applications for the deputy positions and 9 for the civil deputy position. One deputy applicant is a lateral and would not need to be sent to the academy.

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Dayton Chronicle
East Washingtonian

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 02/14/2024 05:25