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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BOCCGRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM (Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday) REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: BOCC REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: B VaSgU@Z CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: B VBSCjU@Z CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ❑YES BNO DATE:12/12/2025 PHONE: 292$ M W1117frIt" . - - ETX--- ElAgreement / Contract ❑AP Vouchers ❑Appointment / Reappointment ❑ARPA Related ❑ Bids / RFPs / Quotes Award ❑ Bid Opening Scheduled ❑ Boards / Committees ❑ Budget ❑Computer Related ❑County Code ❑Emergency Purchase El Employee Rel. ❑ Facilities Related ❑ Financial ❑ Funds ❑ Hearing ❑ Invoices / Purchase Orders ❑ Grants — Fed/State/County ❑ Leases ❑ MOA / MOU B Minutes ❑ Ordinances B Out of State Travel ❑ Petty Cash ❑ Policies ❑ Proclamations ❑ Request for Purchase ❑ Resolution ❑ Recommendation ❑ Professional Serv/Consultant ❑ Support Letter ❑ Surplus Req. ❑Tax Levies ❑Thank You's ❑Tax Title Property ❑WSLCB ERs / Approval of Commissioners Minutes for the week of November 24, 2025. 9 ❑NO ©N/A DATE OF ACTION: DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO: APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN D2: D3: WITHDRAWN: R N/A 4/23/24 �Nt Co Grant County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes zr- '`#tom ,_�,�. ���<%�� Week of November 24, 2025 - November 28, 2025 All public meetings were held in person with public access allowed at Commission Chambers, 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 as well as via Zoom. Zoom recordings will be posted to the YouTube page Grant County, WA: BOCC. CALL TO ORDER The Grant County Commissioner's Session was called to order at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess in attendance. 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Interim County Administrator Update Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Barbara Vasquez (via Zoom), Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Interim County Administrator Update: • Update Format • WSAC County Leaders Conference o County Attendance, Technology Group, District Representatives • County Budget Process • Friday Courthouse Incident • Overall Department Summary o Grant Funding, Insurance Costs, Caseload Requirements, Budget Progression o Fairgrounds Capital Projects & Purchases o Youth Services Update - Housing Needs, Detention Rates • WSAC Commissioner Response o Washington County Initiatives, TIFs, Revenue for Port Districts • Beverly Water District - ARPA Fund Recipient o Potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application • Regional Diversion Building Meeting • Office Accreditations • Jail/Coroner's Office Update • Moses Lake Town Hall Meeting o MACC Dispatch Al Service RCW42.30.110(l)(f) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Personnel Disciplinary beginning at 9:01 a.m. to go until 9:11 a.m. In attendance were Matters Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess and Tom Gaines. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:11 a.m. 9:30 a.m. - 10: 00 a.m. Development Services Update Staff Present: Jim Anderson -Cook, Director and Michelle Mercer, Planning Manager, Nathan Poplawski, Fire Marshal and Derek Beach, Deputy Fire Marshal; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Development Services Update: • Introductions of New Employees • WSAC County Leaders Conference o Columbia River Caucus • Comprehensive Plan Update o Consultant Meetings, Climate Updates, Emergency Management Plan • Code Enforcement Meetings o Upcoming Meeting -Shoreline Violations o Code Enforcement Requirements • NACo High Performance Leadership Course • 2026 Budget Process Update • Position Management -Jobs Posted • Building Permit Wait Time • Lands Analyses, Road Standards 10:00a.m.-10:15a.m. Assessor's Office Update Staff Present: Melissa McKnight, Assessor; Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Assessor's Office Update: • Change of Value Notices Proofing & Printing • TIF Process, Add-Ons Memo o Department of Revenue Correspondence 10:15 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Clerk's Office Update (Commissioner Carter attended at 10:21 a.m.) Staff Present: Kim Allen, County Clerk Page 2 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Clerk's Office Update: • Passport Processing • Sudden Employee Resignation • Position Management -Open Positions • Superior Court Judge Resignation o Appointment Process • Courthouse ADA Access • 2026 Budget Process - Beginning Fund Balance 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. District Court Update Staff Present: Desiree Ochocinski, Administrator; Judge Brian Gwinn (via Zoom) - The following Topics were presented and discussed during the District Court Update: • Community Court Graduations • Case Management System • Commendation for Maintenance Work at Moses Lake Office o Parking Lot Completion Progress • Benefit Enrollment Completion, Health Survey 10:45a.m.-11:00a.m. Commissioner Work Session Staff Present: Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin ManeLl, Commissioner's Office; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Commissioner Work Session: • Clerk of the Board - Master Municipal Clerk Certification o Training Requirements, Certification Process • Levy Certification Date o Extension of Public Hearing • 2026 Budget Update -Reserve Amount Preparation 11:00a.m.-11:30a.m. Position Management Review (PMR) (Cancelled) 11:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Current Expense I Road District Levy Certification Discussion (Commissioner Carter left at 11:5 7 a.m.., and returned at 12:00 p.m.) Page 3 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 Staff Present: Melissa McKnight, Assessor; Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Decorah Anderson -Cook, Human Resources; Andy Booth and John Brissey, Public Works; Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin ManelL, Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Current Expense / Road District Levy Certification: • LTIF"Add-On" Misinterpretation • Levy Certification Form, Department of Revenue Resolution/Ordinance, Refund Levy • 2025 Levy Certification Amount • 1% Increase, New Construction, 1/10 of 1% Sales Tax • Levy Scenario Presentation • Current Expense: Everything (Banked, 1 %, New) • Public Works, County Roads: Everything (Banked, 1%, New) • Assessor to Present Options at 2026 Budget Review Meeting 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2026 Budget Review Meeting/ Work Session (Commissioner Jones left in -person and attended via Zoom at2:34 p.m.,, logged out at 3:13 p.m. and returned at 4:14 p.m.) Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina SaLdana, Human Resources; Michele JaderLund, Auditor; Mandy Kim and Amanda Simonsen, Accounting; Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Melissa McKnight, Assessor; Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin ManelL, Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the 2026 Budget Review Meeting/ Work Session: • 2025 for 2026 Levy Limitations Worksheet - Preliminary Current Expense and Preliminary County Road o Mental Health and Veterans o Refund Levy • Reserve Fund Balance - End -of -Year Balance Estimate $22-23 Million • Year -to -Date Expenditures - Central Services • Employee Retention Fund -Transfers Out, Use of Funds o Correct Balance: $2,060,000 • Current Expense Budget Estimates o Office/Department Reductions o Capital Requests Page 4 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 • Reserve Balance, Potential Hiring Freeze • Reduction in Revenues, Current Expense Reductions, Property Tax Revenues • Year -End Budget Extensions • 2026 Budget Overages o Current Expense Salaries Review, Revenue Forecasting • Levy Certification - $499,000 Mental Health and $228,000 Veterans • Sheriff's Office, Jail Wages - Transfer to Current Expense o Revenue Source from Housing Inmates from Other Counties, Unserved Warrants ® $4.4 Million out of Reserves for 2026 IF they don't do the 3miLL transfer this year, but this doesn't include COLA increases. o BOCC Staff to Email Elected Officials and Department Heads seeking reductions in Current Expense Budgets, with a goal of 2% decrease. • Increased Insurance Costs for New Employees • 2025 Transfers Rolled into 2026 Following discussion about the Levy Certification, it was MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO TAKE THE FULL BANKED CAPACITYAND 1 % FOR PRELIMINARY CURRENT EXPENSE AND COUNTY ROADS, WITH $499,000.00 FOR VETERANS RELIEF AND $228,000.00 FOR MENTAL HEALTH OUT OF THE $25,000,000.00 LEVY CERTIFICATION. DISCUSSION WAS HELD ABOUT THE LEVY MEETING PROCESS, DIRECTION FOR STAFF AND LEVY APPROVAL PROCESS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The Monday, November 24, 2025 session was closed at 4:38 p.m. SESSION CONTINUATION The session was re -opened on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess in attendance. 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Consent Agenda Review/Work Session Staff Present: Barbara J. Vasquez and Caitlin ManeLl, Commissioner's Office; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator Page 5 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Consent Agenda Review/Work Session: • Items to be moved to Board Discussion/Decisions o Walk -On Item Request: County Administrator (To be on Consent 12/2/2025) o Jeff's Camera Photographs • 2026 Budget Review RCW42.30.110(l)(g) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order JobApplicant/ beginning at 9:16 a.m. to go until 9:22 a.m. In attendance were Evaluation Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines, Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin ManeI.L. The session continued until 9:29 a.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:29 a. m. 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Prosecuting Attorney's Office Update and Budget Meeting Staff Present: Brandon Guernsey, Prosecuting Attorney; Trevor Bevier, Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney; Mandy Kim, Chief Financial Officer; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina Saldana, Human Resources The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Prosecuting Attorney's Office Update and Budget Meeting: • Contract Review List -Turnaround Time o Al Meeting Notetaking Software • Complaint Received regarding Sheriff's and Prosecuting Attorney's Office - County Response • Pending Litigation • 2026 Budget Review o PAO: 00 1. 109 Position Management, Employee Position Tracking o Crime Victims: 120.162 RCW42.30.110(l)(i) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order Litigation beginning at 9:35 a.m. to go until 9:38 a.m. In attendance were Commissioners Jones, Carter and Burgess, Brandon Guernsey, Trevor Bevier and Tom Gaines. The session continued until 9:40 a.m., and continued again until 9:45 a.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:45 a.m. Following the Executive Session, it was MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO ALLOW KEVIN MCCRAE TO WRITE AN AFFIDAVIT TO RELEASE OR STATE ALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE CAMERAS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Page 6 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. Human Resources Update (CommissionerJones attended the Canvassing Board - Certification of Election from 10:05 a.m. to 10:48 a.m.) Staff Present: Decorah Anderson -Cook, Director, Gina Saldana, Assistant Director; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Blair Kok, Risk Management; Mandy Kim, Chief Financial Officer; Desiree Ochocinski, District Court Administrator The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Facilities and Maintenance Update: 9 Open Forum for Public Comment o The floor was open to members of the public to speak with a 5-minute total Limit for Human Resources related topics only. There was no Public Comment provided. 0 Labor Relations -Bargaining (Chair Signature - Arbitration Settlement Agreement between Grant County, Deputy Sheriff's Association, and David De La Rosa) 0 County Administrator Review -Mid-December 0 2026 Budget Reductions 0 Position Management/Recruitment 0 Open Enrollment Closure 0 Draft Policy 500 Series (Initiated) 0 CZAR-52 Training Offer by Wes Crago o February EO/DH Luncheon, Location, Scheduling 0 Budget Meetings - Requested Reduction, Scrivener's Error RCW42.30.140(4)(a)) Commissioner Carter called an Executive Session to order Negotiations beginning at 10:19 a.m. to go until 10:25 a.m. In attendance were Commissioners Carter and Burgess, Tom Gaines and Decorah Anderson -Cook. Commissioner Carter closed the session at 10:25 a.m. RCW 42.30.11 0(l)(f) Commissioner Carter called an Executive Session to order Personnel Disciplinary beginning at 10:43 a.m. to go until 10:53 a.m. In attendance Matters were Commissioners Carter and Burgess, Decorah Anderson - Cook, Blair Kok and Tom Gaines. Commissioner Jones joined the session at 10:48 a.m. Commissioner Carter closed the session at 10:53 a.m. COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 11:00a.m. A. Canto Order Page 7 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24,2025 B. Open Forum for Public Comment The floor was open to members of the public to speak with a 3- minute limit per person and a 15-minute total Limit. Public Comment was provided about the following topics: • Automatic License Plate Readers, Flock Cameras - Public Records Requests, Hacking Attempt Concerns • Health Insurance Cost Increases C. Approval of Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. D. Board Correspondence • None E. Commissioner's Roundtable - Miscellaneous Discussion The following topics were presented and discussed during the Commissioner's Roundtable - Misc. Discussion: /10 of 1 % Request for Consideration - Boys & Girls Club o Utilization of Funds • 11/26 Budget Review Meeting • Fairgrounds Transfer- 2026 Budget F. Consent Agenda The following items are considered routine or were presented to Commissioners during earlier sessions Listed above. ALL items are enacted by one motion. If a separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed and placed under Board Discussion/Decision. AUDITOR'S OFFICE 1 Payment of vouchers certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.090, as recorded on a Listing, and made available to the Board. (in the amount of $1494579500.14 COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE 2. Approval of Commissioner's Minutes for November 3, 2025. 3. Approve reimbursement request from Renew on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $3,045.00 for the month of October Veteran Services. 4. Approve reimbursement request from New Hope on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $26,895.21 for October 2025 services. Page 8 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 5. Approve reimbursement request from Big Bend Community College on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $57,455.62 for the expansion of the Medical and Nursing Program, and expansion of the Healthcare Program projects. 6. Approve reimbursement request from New Hope on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $33,026.24 for October 2025 services. 7. Approve reimbursement request from Housing Authority on the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) No. 26-46108-10 in the amount of $88,285.24 for October 2025 services. 8. Approve reimbursement request from Jeff's Camera, Photography on the State of Washington Rural Tourism Grant No. 25-01 -101 Nature's Playground Project in the amount of $9,000.00. 9. Approve Grant County Tourism Promotion Agreements No. 2025- 054 to the Grant County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for Year -Round Tourism Promotion (Administrative Costs) in the amount of $63,851.00; and Agreement No. 2025-049 to the Grant County Historical Museum for Year -Round Tourism Promotion in the amount of $10,000.00. 10. Signature on Correspondence with students of Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland, WA. PUBLIC DEFENSE 11. Request approval for the Director to sign a Washington State Office of Public Defense Agreement No. IAA26013 for the purpose of distributing funds for improving the quality of public defense services in WA State Counties. Term is January 1, 2026 — June 30, 2026 in the amount of $177,483.12. PUBLIC WORKS 12. Signature on Resolution No. 25-104-CC and Approve a request to rescind Resolution No. 25-026-CC which appointed Dave Bren as Interim County Road Engineer on 4/1/25 and sign a new resolution appointing Michael Uhlman, PE as the new Interim County Road Engineer effective 1/1 /26. 13. Approval of Resolution No. 25-103-CC and request to declare surplus and sell a 2016 Chevrolet SiLverado 1500 pickup (Asset# 0018) to be purchased by the Port of Ephrata / Port District #9 for the amount of $12,000.00. No public hearing is required. 14. Signature on Resolution No. 25-105-CC and Approve the 2026 Annual Road Program for the total amount of $28,656,929.00. 15. Approval of a Local Agency A&E Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement No. 25031 G with H LA Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc. for Consulting Engineering Services for various county projects, not to exceed $200,000.00. Term is upon completion date of 12/31/2028. Page 9 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24,2025 TREASURER'S OFFICE 16. Approval of Resolution No. 25-106-CC and Interlocal Investment Services Agreement with Cities Insurance Association of WA (CIAW) to invest monies provided by the Local Government into the County Pool on its behalf. Term is upon signature through 12/31/2035. 17. Approval of Resolution No. 25-107-CC and Interlocal Investment Services Agreement with Washington Counties Risk Group (WCRG) to invest monies provided by the Local Government into the County Pool on its behalf. Term is upon signature through 12/31/2035. VETERAN SERVICES 18. Signature of Thank You Letter to the Civil Air Patrol for helping with the Veteran's Stand Down that was held in September. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 18 AS PRESENTED. DISCUSSION ABOUT WALK-ON REQUEST. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. G. Board Discussion/Decision Items • None I. Adjournment The Commissioner's Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. 11:30a.m.-11:45a.m. Open Record Public Hearing, Turnkey and HiLLcrest Lighting District Rate Assessments Staff Present: Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Barbara Vasquez and Caitlin ManeU, Commissioner's Office; Tom Gaines, County Administrator Public: See Sign -in Sheet Approved via This being the date set, and proper notices having been Resolution No. 25-111- posted and published in accordance with Local and state CC (Hillcrest); and 25- Laws, Commissioner Jones opened the public hearing on 112-CC (Turnkey) November 25, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. to consider the recommendation of the Grant County Treasurer to increase the Turnkey Lighting District parcel assessment rate for 2026 from $24.00 to $28.00 per parcel; and increase the HiLLcrest Lighting District parcel assessment rate for 2026 from $16.00 to $24.00 per parcel. Page 10 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 Darryl Pheasant gave an overview of the request. Discussion about disbursement of bills and citizens that Live in the district. No Public Comment was given. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE HEARING. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Following the motion, it was MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BURGESS, TO APPROVE THE INCREASE OF THE TURNKEY LIGHTING DISTRICT FROM $24.00 TO $26.00 PER PARCEL AND INCREASE THE HILLCREST LIGHTING DISTRICT FROM $16.00 TO $24.00 PER PARCEL. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 11:38 a.m. 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 p.m. Budget & Finance AND Finance Committee Meeting (Commissioner Carter attended via Zoom at 1: 14 p.m. Commissioner Jones left at 1:56 p.m. and returned at 1:59 P.M.) Staff Present: Darryl Pheasant and Carrie Heston, Treasurer's Office; Michele Jaderlund, Auditor; Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Mandy Kim and Amanda Simonsen, Accounting; Decorah Anderson -Cook, Human Resources The following Topics were presented and discussed during the Budget Meetings: • Finance Committee Meeting o State Pool Rates, Debt Payments, Revenues o Air BnB's, Hotel/Motel Tax • Expense & Revenue Reports for Offices and Departments • Transfer Completions • Employee Training, Growth & Retention (Fund 105.001) o Office/Department Management, Fund Usage o Human Resources Expenses, Position Management, Purpose of the Fund o Fund Manager: Human Resources • Salary Survey Progress and Result Implementation • Veteran Services, Fairgrounds 2026 Budgets Page 11 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2026 Budget Review Meeting / Work Session (Commissioner Burgess did not attend) Staff Present: Tom Gaines, Interim County Administrator; Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina SaLdana, Human Resources; Darryl Pheasant, Treasurer; Melissa McKnight, Assessor; Michele JaderLund, Auditor; Mandy Kim and Amanda Simonsen, Accounting; Blair Kok, Risk Management; Jim McKiernan (via Zoom), Fairgrounds; Barbara Vasquez, Commissioner's Office The following Topics were presented and discussed during the 2026 Budget Review Meeting/ Work Session: • 2026 Fairgrounds Expenses, Insurance Costs, Revenue • Insurance Estimates- Consent 12/1/2025 • Levy Certification (Approved for Clerk to Fill Certification Form as Discussed) • Current Budget Deficit • Budget Adoption Process -Hearings, Follow -Up Meetings o Plan for Next Week's Meetings • Transfer Completions, Revenue Sources o Fund 117 Transfer Out to Current Expense (BOCC Approved Completion of Transfer in FY2025) o Live Nation Revenues -Revolving Funds • Sheriff's Office and Corrections Wages • Current Expense Budget Cap • Historical Preservation Fund Usage - RCW Requirements The Tuesday, November 25, 2025 session was closed at 2:53 p.m. SESSION CONTINUATION The Wednesday, November 26, 2025 session was cancelled. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 2026 Budget Review Meeting/ Work Session (Cancelled) Page 12 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025 Meeting Minutes for the week of November 24, 2025 were approved this day of 2025. Attest: rr Barbara J. Vasquez, M Clerk"of the Board BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Grant County, V_Va_s­h�in e_x� �=p 6-.1 - 4vin Burgess, ber Page 13 of 13 BOCC Minutes Week of November 24, 2025