Commission Briefs

Commissioners approve list of county projects

Mason County commissioners approved a resolution to adopt the 2022-23 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Project list as recommended by the Mason County Economic Development Council.

According to the information packet, the projects are a public infrastructure priority list, assessed annually by the EDC. Projects are considered based on community need, project readiness, probability of being funded and number of jobs created. The projects must be sponsored by a government entity to qualify.

Some of the projects listed include the Belfair Sewer, state Route 3 Freight Corridor and Romance Hill connector, Mason County PUD No. 3 Rural Broadband, Port of Allyn Sargent Oyster House, backup emergency generators for the Belfair Water District, state Route 108 Fish Culvert Projects, Port of Shelton Aviation Business Park and Mason Transit Authority’s Johns Prairie Facility Upgrade.

Commissioner Kevin Shutty thanked the Mason County Economic Development Council and the legislative committee for working on the list of projects.

“This is a really informative document for us and I think as the commission continues down the path of appropriating the American Rescue Plan dollars, having these projects lined out and having some information on them is going to be really helpful as we get into this next round of funding,” Shutty said during the meeting.

View the full list on pages 29 and 30 of the information packet at tinyurl.com/2p8jr4bx.

Budget public hearing scheduled

Mason County commissioners approved a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. June 7 to consider approval of budget supplemental appropriations and amendments to the 2022 budget.

According to the information packet, total requests for adjustments to authorized expenditure appropriations are $395,719 in the general fund and $4,673,822 in appropriations in funds other than the general fund.

Some of the expenditure changes include $109,859 for one full-time employee in the North Precinct and ammunition and less lethal equipment, $123,930 for a parks plan contract, $5,800,000 for a new ERAP contract and $450,000 for a lead grant for community health services and COVID test kits.

County approves multifactor authentication

County commissioners approved a multifactor authentication system for Virtual Private Network or webmail during the May 10 Mason County commissioners’ meetings.

According to the information packet, The Washington Counties Risk Pool have imposed a requirement that all external authentication requires multifactor authentication. This requirement extends to privileged users that have the ability to modify systems to use multifactor authentication for all logins into the county system. A failure to meet these requirements would result in a reduction of the county’s cyber insurance.

The Cisco Duo Security Standard Multi-Factor Authentication program will cost $13,342.25.

Commissioner Kevin Shutty said it’s a critical next step in securing the county’s internet and IT infrastructure.

“A lot of great discussions about how we can ensure that we’re meeting our requirements for cybersecurity and protecting all of the critical information and processes that the county has,” Shutty said during the meeting. “This is a really good next step and I’m sure much more to come.”

Public Works purchases used tractor and trailer

County commissioners approved Mason County Public Works purchase of a used truck tractor and three-axle pup trailer for the Road Operations and Maintenance Division.

According to the information packet, Public Works wanted to purchase a 2006 Peterbilt Tractor and a 2005 three-axle Pup Trailer from J&D Enterprises NW for $107,500.

The Peterbilt has 570,000 miles of use and it fits the needs of Public Works. Public Works Road Fund has $130,000 in this year’s equipment budget for a used tractor and lowboy trailer and the two pieces of equipment are $22,500 less than budgeted for.

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin thanked Public Works for being frugal in acquiring the equipment.

“The extra work that was put in saved this county $100,000-plus and this isn’t the first time and it will not be the last,” Neatherlin said during the meeting. “I wanted to give a special thank you to Public Works for making that difference because that money gets to be used elsewhere because of the extra work you put in.”

Public Works Director Loretta Swanson attended the commissioner’s meeting and thanked her staff for doing the work to find a piece of equipment that would work for the county’s needs and save money in the process.

Loomis reappointed to board of equalization

Janice Loomis was reappointed to the Mason County Board of Equalization for a three-year term at the commissioners meeting May 10.

According to the information packet, the Board of Equalization is a three-member board appointed by the commissioners with one alternate selected. The BOE’s responsibility is to ensure all property valuations are at 100% of market value so equitable tax assessment can be established.

Loomis’ term expires May 31, 2025.

David Mallory was appointed as an alternate member to the Mason County Board of Equalization at the meeting.

Taxpayers may appeal their assessments and the board considers denial of senior citizens property tax exemptions. Mallory’s term as an alternate expires May 31, 2023.

Construction program hearing scheduled June 7

Mason County commissioners set a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. June 7 regarding the 2022 annual construction program and the 2022-2027 six-year transportation improvement program.

According to the information packet, the Federal Surface Transportation Program released $50 million for transportation projects for local agencies. Projects must be approved for construction this year.

Public Works has a project that meets the criteria for the STP funding on Mason Lake Road, consisting of resurfacing the existing roadway, upgrading the shoulder with hot mix asphalt, roadway striping and other safety improvements. The project will extend to another project on Mason Lake Road and the two projects will improve almost five miles of the road.

Public Works is recommending an amendment to the annual construction program and the six-year improvement program to add Mason Lake Road project 2. The cost of the project is $1,835,400 and will be fully paid with STP money.

Title 16 public hearing moved to May 24

The scheduled public hearing for the May 10 commissioners meeting for the Title 16 Plats and Subdivisions administrative requirements has been moved to 9:15 a.m. May 24.

Community Development Administrator Kell Rowen said she failed to get the ordinance to the attorney on time due to training a new staff member.