DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) reviewed the Flood Zone District consulting contract for a flood mitigation plan; approved changes to the 2023 budget; heard a proposal for a new extension office during the August 1 regular meeting; and a presentation by Interim Engineer Grant Morgan at the August 8 special meeting, of public work action items including reorganization of the department and salary schedules.

The Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) met ahead of the regular BOCC meeting on August 1 when Interim Public Works Director Amber Phinney presented a consulting contract for approval with Perteet, Inc. for a flood mitigation plan. The expense would be no more than $124,000 to be paid for in part by a grant from the Department of Ecology. The plan would have to be completed by May of 2023. The Commission discussed the possibility of dissolving the FCZD and potentially leaving it to the voters to decide after the plan is completed. Interim Engineer Walter Grant Morgan was not present, and it was agreed to discuss the contract with him later in the month before approving it.

During the regular meeting, the BOCC went over a preliminary budget for 2023 and reviewed various line items that were listed for previous years as well as the expenditures to date for the current year. Changes were approved to be given to Auditor Anne Higgins.

WSU Extension Agent Stephen Van Vleet discussed the upcoming lease renewal in September for the building the Extension office occupies. He expressed concerns over the requirements of paying property taxes along with the building maintenance responsibilities laid out in the lease agreement because the HVAC system and the roof is showing signs of costly maintenance needs. Van Vleet suggested they consider the building adjacent to the current one that has no such lease requirements. The commissioners agreed he should pursue it.

Garfield County Engineer Grant Morgan is contracting with Columbia County for the interim until a permanent engineer is hired. He provided an interlocal agreement for the Commissioners to review for this contract. Morgan also presented a revised organizational chart for the department with a salary schedule along with a memorandum. His recommendation was for Phinney’s position to become a permanent Assistant Public Works Director position to manage administration, solid waste and ER&R. Jeff McCowen would be the Assistant County Engineer and would manage County Road Operations and GIS and engineering. Both have been managing these areas already.

These assistant positions would provide the needed continuity for when a permanent County Engineer and Public Works Director is hired. Morgan also proposed the creation of the new department and position of Facilities and Risk Management Director who would oversee county facilities, purchasing procurement, risk management and parks and recreation. He recommended David Finney to fill this position for the interim. Finney has been instrumental in developing the concept of the proposed department. It was noted that the addition would fit within the wages already budgeted for Public Works and they would not fill Finney’s current position for the time being. The plan was approved by the BOCC.