Commission Briefs

Commissioners appoint Jaime Taylor as acting coroner

Mason County commissioners approved the appointment of Jaime Taylor as acting coroner Jan. 1 until a replacement coroner has been appointed at the Dec. 21 meeting.

According to the information packet, former coroner Wes Stockwell belonged to the Democratic party and a letter has been sent to the Democratic party requesting three nominations be submitted for commissioner consideration. The nominations will not be submitted until mid-January. Taylor will be paid at the coroner’s salary beginning Jan. 1.

Commissioners amend agreement for pathology services with Kitsap County

County commissioners approved an amendment in the contract for pathology services with Kitsap County.

According to the information packet, Mason County contracts with Kitsap County for all pathology services, including autopsies, imaging and toxicology. The amendment increases the compensation amount from $82,500 to $87,000 per year.

County converts two Corrections Deputy positions to Community Service Officers

Mason County commissioners approved the conversion of two Corrections Deputy positions to Community Service Officers to run the jail control room.

According to the information packet, the corrections division of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office is struggling to fill vacant positions. An August briefing included a proposal for a hiring incentive and since then, the eligibility list expanded but is now back to exhaustion. The county has 27 funded Corrections Deputy positions with one additional position approved, but not funded, by the BOCC for staffing transportation to the Olson’s building when it’s finished.

The county has eight vacant positions, which is nearly 1/3 of the employees required to staff the facility, and overtime is being used and hard to fill due to current staff being tired of working.

Community Service Officers are noncommissioned positions, which means the county can fill them with civilians, and are covered by Civil Service and the Woodworkers labor union. They do not need to be academy trained or certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which means training time will be less than a commissioned Corrections Deputy, allowing the county to get people working independently faster than usual.

Mason County Jail Chief Kevin Hanson states in the packet that by hiring the positions, he would be guaranteed an additional hiring list from the Civil Service and based on the number of applicants for other noncommissioned positions, he feels the position could be more attractive to a broader audience. He said it may also allow opportunity for people unfamiliar with jail operations to essentially get corrections experience and find an opportunity to apply to become a Corrections Deputy.

American Rescue Plan Act money items approved

The Mason County commissioners authorized County Administrator Mark Neary to use Americans Rescue Plan Act money for two items.

According to the information packet, $42,000 will be used for the Lakeland Pump Station and $4,000 will be used for the Washington State Association of Counties 2022 dues.

County receives competitive grant from Department of Ecology

Mason County commissioners approved the authorization to accept a 2021-23 Shoreline Master Plan competitive grant from the state Department of Ecology.

According to the information packet, the grant is for $50,000. The planning department has determined that aspects of the Mason County SMP policies and regulations that the public struggle with and that staff spend a considerable time explaining. The Planning Department’s proposal is to create a digital SMP user guide that translates the regulatory language of the title into clear concise illustrations with a focus on Common Line Mitigation Plan preparation. The public could print the guide from the website. The proposal would include redesign of Mason County’s shoreline application forms, which would also be available on the website.

The county hopes this is phase one of a larger project that would include setup of a more effective digital shoreline application process and a new mitigation monitoring procedure utilizing the county’s permitting software.

County purchases two automated flagger assistant devices

Commissioners approved Public Works the authorization to purchase two automated flagger assistant devices.

According to the information packet, the commissioners approved the purchase of two used automated flagger units used as demos. The units have been utilized for road operation and maintenance projects.

Public Works wanted two more devices to purchase off of a state contract from Coral Sales Company. The price is $29,998 for both devices and would be purchased through the county road fund budget.

County extends water system design contract

County commissioners approved the extension of the water and wastewater system design contract with Gibbs & Olson.

According to the information packet, Public Works has a consultant agreement with Gibbs & Olson to design the water, reclaimed water and wastewater systems from the Public Work’s facility to connect to Shelton mains in the vicinity of Public Works Drive and state Route 102.

The agreement was set to expire at the end of the year but has been extended one year to allow the completion of the project. There is no change in the payable amount for the agreement, which is $90,000, and $77,232.74 has been paid.

Commissioners approve bridge inspection agreement with WSDOT

Mason County commissioners approved Public Works to enter into an agreement with the state Department of Transportation for bridge inspections.

According to the information packet, the current agreement expires at the end of the year and the agreement is for another 10-year term.

Bridges scheduled to be inspected in 2022 include the Harstine Island Bridge on May 9 and the Stretch Island Bridge on Sept. 1. The Harstine Island Bridge will cost the county $6,665.82 and Stretch Island will cost $2,621.20. The cumulative total of the contract is $62,647.87.

The Chapman Cove and Ever’s bridges are set for inspection in 2023.