Commission Briefs

Geist appointed to parks board

Mason County commissioners appointed Kathleen Geist to the Parks Advisory Board at the April 11 meeting.

According to the information packet, the Parks & Trails Advisory Board consists of seven members serving four-year terms with one alternate appointed by county commissioners, with an effort to fill the board with two members from each of the three commissioner districts and one "at-large" member. The purpose of the board is to provide guidance, direction and recommendations regarding the planning, acquisition, developments and operations of parks, trails, facilities and programs in the county.

District 1 is represented by Shawn Fontana, District 2 is represented by Jeanne Robinson and William Long and District 3 is represented by Mendy Harlow.

County group gets state designation

The Mason County Economic Development Council was named the Associate Development Organization for the county.

According to the information packet, the state Department of Commerce biannually requests a letter designating an Associate Development Organization to increase support for and coordination of community and economic development services. An ADO's role is advocacy and leadership, and being a point of contact for local economic activities. It also recruits and hosts new businesses, and coordinates business retention and expansion efforts within the county.

The ADO is the contact for commerce regarding economic activity in its area and helps the Department of Commerce gather data about community profiles, industrial sites, plans for business development and retention, business activity reports and proposals for other economic activities.

Mason County EDC has been the ADO for the county for several years, and this designation will last through 2025.

New type of account for employees OK'd

Navia Benefit Solutions was approved to implement a flexible spending account for eligible Mason County employees.

According to the information packet, Mason County Human Resources researched flexible spending account benefits as part of the HR strategic plan and because of employee demand. The county would increase competitiveness in the market with the additional benefit for prospective and existing employees. A FSA benefit allows employees to defer pretax dollars to an account they can use for health care or day care related costs, and there is a FICA tax savings for the county. Maximum elections for health care are $3,050 and for day care are $5,000. Internal polls showed 70 employees, or 20%, would be interested in the benefit.

The budget impact would be an average election amount of $1,600 and a total election amount of $112,000. The estimated FICA tax savings would be $8,568 and Navia Administrative costs would be $4.50 per participating employee per month, which would amount to a cost savings of $4,818. The county would put down a 10% deposit to Navia of the total election amount for $11,120.

County paid money from Ferguson deal

County Administrator Mark Neary was authorized to sign the settlement agreements with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva and Allergan and the allocation agreement for the opioid settlement.

According to the information packet, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the state was joining multistate resolutions with five companies. The five settlements could total $434.4 million for the state, and half of the settlement, $217 million, will be distributed to local governments in the state to assist in the abatement of the opioid crisis. By signing the settlement, Mason County is scheduled to receive 0.93291% of the local government distribution, which is about $2 million. Settlement money must be used on opioid abatement and recovery programs.

Rent Assistance program amended

The Crossroads Housing Eviction Rent Assistance Program has been amended by county commissioners.

According to the information packet, the state Department of Commerce has allocated more money to the Eviction Rent Assistance Program aimed at reducing and preventing homelessness. The money will be subcontracted to Crossroads Housing to support the eviction rent assistance program through June. An additional $165,000 will be added to the program.

Little Shoefly culvert replacement project

Mason County commissioners approved the Little Shoefly culvert replacement project on North Shore Road at milepost 18.

According to the information packet, County Road Project 2049 will remove a restricted flow path under a road that serves the Tahuya Peninsula. The existing 48-foot corrugated metal pip prevents debris from passing under the road and causes aggradations, restricting the culvert and causing the creek to flow over the road and flood neighboring properties. The project will reduce maintenance costs and environmental effects with the existing culvert. The project is item No. 30 on the 6-Year Transportatoin Improvement Program. Public Works will use county forces to complete the project.

The project is estimated to cost $330,000 and will be completed by the county in 2023 or 2024, depending on structure availability and county force construction limits. If the project is done in 2023, Public Works will need to amend the 2023 annual construction program.

Council dues increase

Mason County commissioners approved an increase in Hood Canal Coordinating Council dues from $2,500 to $10,000 annually.

According to the information packet, the council of governments formed in 1985 in response to community concerns about water quality and natural resource issues in the Hood Canal watershed. Mason, Jefferson and Kitsap counties and Port Gamble S'Klallum and Skokomish tribes are member governments, and the council works with partners and communities to advance a shared regional vision to protect and recover Hood Canal's environmental, economic and cultural well-being.

Dues increased to $10,000 this year and the amount budgeted by the county was $2,500 and a budget increase of $7,500 in 2023, and the increase in expenditures will come from the general fund.

Authority delegated

Mason County commissioners delegated signature authority for required ecology submittals at the Tuesday meeting.

According to the information packet, the state Department of Ecology requires submittal of reports or documents for permitted wastewater facilities using ecology's website portal with an electronic signature. The board has delegated signature authority to Richard Dickinson and Justin Phelps at Mason County Public Works.

Public Works requested to add Loretta Swanson, Director of Public Works, as a signature authority for the DOE reports and documents for county permitted wastewater facilities. The authorization applies to submittal of biosolids reports, discharge monitoring reports, notice of intent and certificates of no exposure.