DAYTON–The Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) heard comments from concerned citizens regarding the sexually explicit content in the library; certification of several levies; HVAC contract approval; set a public hearing for the 2023 budget; and heard other departmental reports.

There have been several written and verbal requests made to Library Director Todd Vandenbark, to move sexually explicit content from the children's section of the library to the adult portion. Three people spoke up in opposition to the sexually explicit content found in the children's section of the County Library. All voiced concern that the content remains in the children's library despite verbal and written requests to the Director Todd Vandenbark for the explicit books to be moved to the adult section of the library.

Instead, Director Vandenbark has continued to promote the books by leaving them in the Little Libraries and various places to be picked up by anyone at will, as well as featuring them in book club kits available through the library.

Seth Murdock had earlier presented close to a dozen of such books from the library for the Commission to review and read. This time, Murdock asked Commissioners if, after looking through the books, whether they are in favor of subsidizing the content and if they thought the majority of the community who voted for them would be supportive of subsidizing it. The answers each gave to both questions was no.

Murdock suggested that just as the Commission appoints the library board members, that they be removed since, under the Commissioners' watch, there has been no accommodation made about the content.

Commissioner Ryan Rundell replied that the public can choose not to buy the books or shop at a bookstore that carries objectionable materials, but the library is funded by the taxpayers, so there is no opting out. Rundell is not in favor of removing materials, but pointed out, "Any prominent display of any book reveals a bias in some manner."

Joann Patras commented that she has written a letter to the editor and made a copy for the Commission about her concern as a grandparent and for all children who would see or read portions of the books in question, particularly those with sexual instruction or sexual violence. She asked the Commission to intervene for the books to be moved.

Jessica Ruffcorn also said she wants them moved, that people can still check them out, but moving them but would take the books out of the faces of the children. She also commented because the director's disregard of concerns of the community that "basically pays his paycheck," she prompts the commissioners to get involved.

Three tax levies were certified in a public hearing. The total amount to be levied for the County for 2023 is $2.1 million in current expense. Also, for current expense the 1% increase based on the levy amount from 2022 was certified for $17,648. For County Road the 1% increase was certified at $18,579. The EMS Levy District was certified for $532,753 and the 1% increase for $5146. A public hearing was scheduled for the 2023 budget adoption on December 12.

Budget reviews were held for Courthouse Maintenance and Public Works departments. Public Works Director and County Engineer Grant Morgan also presented the bid award for the Courthouse HVAC Project to Mill Creek Mechanical which was approved.

In other county business, Jan Manwell from the auditor's office said that they are working on their budget to review with the Commission. They are getting ready for the County canvasing on November 29. Upon completion the voting results for the County will be certified by the Secretary of State.

Treasurer Carla Rowe said in her brief report, "For current expense tax collection, we are at 88.6%. We are short 9.5% due to Columbia Pulp. If it was not for that, we would be where we are normally at for collection."

Sheriff Joe Helm told the Commission that he was preparing to give a tour of the courthouse and the jail the following day to representatives including Mary Dye to present the needs of the County to have modern facilities and to inquire about funding. Rundell added later that when the Commissioners attended the State County Leaders Conference last week, he was able to network with other commissioners and learn about their experiences and decisions. He became aware that WASC (Washington State Association of Counties) is looking into jailing costs and so it was a "hot topic" at the conference.

"A lot of people at the conference were running on about the fact that their jails haven't been updated since the '80s and I pointed out that ours hasn't been updated since the '80s also, but it was the 1880s," Rundell said. "So, if there's a priority, I think we should be somewhat close to the top."

The Board of Health convened, and Administrator Katie Roughton requested a payroll increase for Jan Strohbehn, who currently is the fiscal agent for Public Health. She was initially hired as a grant coordinator and never had a suitable increase for the position change nor any of the regular increases. A payroll change request will be submitted at the next meeting.

Health Board member Nancy Laughery inquired about the progress on establishing environmental health services in Columbia County. Roughton has interviewed two qualified applicants for the position. She is seeking to hold a second interview and has invited State Environmental Health and Epidemiologist to participate. In the meantime, she is conducting food and sewer inspections.