Commission Briefs

American Rescue Plan Act money appropriated

Mason County commissioners approved County Administrator Mark Neary to use American Rescue Plan Act Money for county purposes at the Dec. 7 meeting.

According to the information packet, Mason County received $12,949,242 in grant funding and the county received $6,484,451 on June 25. Neary was approved to allocate the money, including $92,078 for temporary county staff to address COVID, $200,000 for Rustlewood Water Well & Reservoir Electrical Control System, $100,000 for Beards Cove AC Mainline Replacement, $150,000 for Belfair PS #1 improvement project, $180,000 for Belfair PS #3 improvement project and shift $75,000 of the $200,000 approved Aug. 3 for individual household delinquent property taxes subject to foreclosure to small business delinquent property taxes.

County approves lodging tax awards

Mason County commissioners approved 2022 lodging tax awards for four organizations.

According to the information packet, Mason County receives money from room taxes imposed on lodging facilities and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on Oct. 20 and recommended the awards.

The awards are $29,120 for the Visitor Information Services: North Mason Chamber of Commerce, $11,440 for the Mason County Historical Society, $63,440 for the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce and $327,450 for Tourism Services and Festival Support for the Northwest Event Organizers.

Public hearing set for Jan. 18 about zoning code amendments

County commissioners approved a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. Janu. 18 to consider amendments to the Title 17 zoning code.

According to the information packet, the Mason County Planning Department is proposing amendments to the Title 17 zoning code. The first proposed amendment includes eliminating the 55-foot height limit within multiple different zones in the Urban Growth Areas of Belfair, Allyn and Shelton.

The second proposed change is to add language to the residential districts of the Urban Growth Areas that allows a reduction of the side yard setback with review and approval of a building administrative variance.

The third change is about accessory dwelling unit requirements, proposing an elimination of the need for ADU to be within 150 feet of the main residence on the lot and eliminating the requirement that the owner reside in either the main residence or ADU.

Emergency Management Performance Grant contract approved

County commissioners approved the Emergency Management Performance Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

According to the information packet, the county receives a yearly grant since 2007 to assist with enhancement, sustainment and improvement of state, local and tribal emergency management programs. The grant assists with Continuity of Operations Planning and Continuity of Government planning. The amount for 2021 is $35,738.

Frank Pinter named interim Human Resources Director

Mason County approved the authorization of Frank Pinter as interim Human Resources Director.

According to the information packet, the county is recruiting for the Human Resources Director position and in the meantime, the county must enter negotiations for six labor contacts that will expire at the end of the year. Pinter is an existing county employee and has the capacity to lead the negotiation process for union contracts. He is familiar with the contracts and has working relationships with players on both sides of the negotiations.

Pinter’s established monthly salary will be $13,869.45.

Solid waste rate increases announced

Mason County Transfer and Drop Box stations will increase disposal rates by 6.5% beginning Feb. 1.

According to a news release, the increase is to cover the annual cost experienced by the county to operate and maintain the Shelton, Hoodsport, Union and Belfair transfer and drop box station locations.

Some of the rates for 2022 at the Mason County Solid Waste Transfer Station include $110.27 per ton of solid waste, $5.97 for one 32-gallon can or bag of waste and $11.90 for an appliance with refrigerant. Separated clean yard trimmings are $79.94 per ton and $110.27 per ton of construction debris.

To view the full list of rates for 2022, visit pages 86 and 87 of the information packet at https://dms.masoncountywa.gov/Commissioners/DocView.aspx?id=484521&cr=1.

Mason County receives drug free community grant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- drug free communities support program has given Mason County Public Health a five-year grant.

According to a news release, Mason County will receive $77,673 a year for five years. The money will be used to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse in kids 18 or younger. It will also be used to reduce substance abuse among youth and among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increases the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

The grant will fund half of a full time employee as a substance abuse prevention coordinator with a focus on community activities and strategies that include improving community knowledge regarding patterns of youth substance use, knowledge of coalition efforts to address youth substance use in the county, increase the capacity of local agencies and organizations to address youth substance use and increase intergovernmental cooperation, coordination and collaboration to change conditions that impact youth substance use.

In the U.S. in 2019, 70,630 lives were lost to drug overdose.