Commission Briefs

County requests architectural professional services

Mason County commissioners approved allowing the county to issue a request for qualifications for architectural engineering professional services at their April 26 meeting.

According to the information packet, the county seeks services for design and construction management, including all civil engineering and permitting requirements for county owned property in Mason County.

The professional services contract is not budgeted.

Public hearing for community development grant

County commissioners approved a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. on May 24 to inform residents of the availability of money and eligible uses of the state Community Development Block Grant.

According to the information packet, the hearing is to receive comments on proposed activities specifically funding the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties. The county coordinates annually with Community Action Council to apply, receive and provide services through a Community Development Block Grant administered by the state Department of Commerce.

In 2021, $100,080 was used to provide service referrals for a minimum of 6,780 people in Mason and Lewis counties, of which a minimum of 3,629 must meet income qualifications and provide direct services and referrals for a minimum of 350 child victims. The allotment for this year is $102,000 and $3,500 will be used to offset a portion of our administration costs.

The county is required to solicit public comments on the proposed activities and services as part of the application.

Criminal History Program grant approved

The National Criminal History Improvement Program grant through the Washington State Patrol was approved by Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, the grant is a federal program through the U.S. Department of Justice to improve the nation’s safety and security by improving the quality, completeness and accessibility of criminal history record information and by ensuring a nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems. WSP is designated by the governor to administer the federal money for the program and state, local and federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible to receive money through a competitive grant application.

The Mason County Juvenile Detention Facility uses a Cross Match LiveScan system to collect fingerprints on youths entering the facility and for conducting background checks on staff and volunteer guardians. The current system uses a Microsoft operating system that is no longer supported, making the machine out of compliance with the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services policy.

The Juvenile Court applied for and was awarded the NCHIP grant, and the money will be used to purchase a new computer, monitor, camera, Guardian 200 fingerprint scanner, LiveScan software and all periphery cable and adapters.

The maximum amount is $8,014 and requires a 10% match of $802. The juvenile detention facility has the budget capacity for the 10% match and the money will be available May 1.

Mason County Board of Health reorganized

Mason County commissioners approved a reorganization of the county board of health.

According to the information packet, the move is to reflect the definitions of contained in Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1152. The changes include the composition of the board, which will now be all three Mason County commissioners, one elected member from the Shelton City Council, one representative of the Squaxin Island Tribe, one representative of the Skokomish Tribe, one representative for Public Health, health care facilities and providers, one consumer of public health and one community stakeholder as defined by E2SHB 1152.

Quorums will consist of at least one county commissioner and three other members and elected members of the board of health will serve terms consistent with the entity they represent and all other members will serve three-year terms.

Medicaid Transformation Project approved

County commissioners approved a Medicaid Transformation Project contract amendment at the April 26 meeting.

According to the information packet, the contract has been renewed for a sixth year to continue opioid response through mobile outreach.