Request made to put Parks & Rec District to voters
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DAYTON-The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reviewed applications to fill the Director of Emergency Management and discussed filling the County Engineer position as well as scheduling interviews for the Board of Health applicants. Also requested was drafting a resolution to be presented on July 18 for approval for placing on the ballot the formation of a metropolitan parks and recreation district.
Seven applications have been received for the open Director of Emergency Management position. Both Fire Chief Jeromy Phinney and Sheriff Joe Helm were present to request to take part in the interview process. They suggested a panel would be formed to interview candidates, but the Commissioners offered they could instead submit questions to be asked that would answer any of their needs or concerns. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for July 11, possibly in executive session. Board of Health interviews were also put on the agenda later that day and into the evening, if needed.
Garfield County Engineer Grant Morgan spoke with the Commission about keeping projects on track and addressed some of the vehicle needs of the Columbia County department. Most pressing is to fill the Engineer and the Public Works Director positions. Morgan suggested they post the vacancies as joint position as was held by the Charles Eaton and send it Washington Association of Counties, as well as consider using a headhunter.
Dianne McKinley, representing Friends of the Pool, made a request to have placed on the ballot the formation of a metropolitan parks and recreation district. If passed, it would be a tax district and include a yearly special levy. McKinley pointed out that the Prescott Pool was able to continue to fund their pool by forming a taxing district.
The district would represent Columbia County, the City of Dayton and possibly Starbuck, if they choose. To be placed on the ballot, resolutions are needed from the County and participating cities. Besides a pool or aquatic center, the district would have the potential of including other recreational facilities such as the ballfields, fish pond and the golf course. The district would have an elected board or one chosen by the BOCC.
Commissioner Charles Amerein thought the district could form to support the current facilities and add the pool at the proper time. The district would be “unfunded” until a plan is in place. The Commission agreed to have a resolution drafted to be presented at the July 18 meeting.
