Commission Briefs

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.

County commissioners approve alternative location facilities and Sheriff storage

Mason County commissioners approved county administrator Mark Neary to negotiate a lease at a new location for facilities and Sheriff storage at the Dec. 21 meeting.

According to the information packet, Mason County was notified by the owner of the current space for facilities and Sheriff storage that they do not intend to lease the space to the county after the contract expires in April.

Facilities staff found a comparable space at 10432 SE State Route 3 in Shelton that is available. The location has two separate buildings with a total of 9,000 square feet of storage with future expansion possibilities. Facilities has worked with the Sheriff’s Office to allocate storage for storage needs at the new location.

The estimated annual rent and utility savings is $3,300 per year and the cost of improvements needed to occupy the property is $30,000.

Contract extension approved for Belfair Urban Growth Area

County commissioners approved a contract extension with BERK Consulting for the Belfair Urban Growth Area.

According to the information packet, BERK is working on the Belfair Urban Growth Area Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement. The extension is to March 31 and the contract extension states all services and deliverables are to be performed by that date.

Treasury Rent Assistance and Eviction Rent Assistance programs contracts amended

Mason County commissioners approved contract amendments with the state Department of Commerce for the Treasury Rent Assistance Program (TRAP) and the Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP).

According to the information packet, the state Department of Commerce has amended the TRAP contract to subtract $1,288,028.20 to bring the contract amount to $2,170,998.80. The subtractions include $236,020.36 from administration and operations, $994,236.84 from rent and utility assistance and $57,771.00 from by and for sub grants.

The ERAP contract added $50,368 to increase the contract amount to $5,910,782. The amount added was included in the rent and utility assistance budget.

North Mason School District levy amount recertified

County commissioners approved a recertification of the North Mason School District amount from $6,523,882 to $5,831,125.

According to the information packet, the initial levy certification request exceeded the 5% to 9% cushion and the district resubmitted the new levy certification, which was received by the county Dec. 10. According to the state Department of Revenue, recertifications are allowed after the certification deadline when the requested amount is less than what was originally certified, when the recertification is before the county has certified the tax roll to the county treasurer and when the local government allows taxing districts to recertify levy amounts after the applicable deadline, according to RCW 84.52.070.

The recertification request was less than the original amount and the county has not certified the tax roll to the county treasure and the deadline for the county treasurer is Jan. 15 and with the commissioners approval, all three requirements were met for the recertification.

County commissioners approve 2021 budget adjustments

Mason County commissioners approved a budget adjustment for 2021 following a public hearing.

According to the information packet, total adjustments to authorized expenditure appropriations in the general fund were $1,841,380. Total adjustments to authorized expenditure appropriations in funds other than the general fund were $2,402,000.

No one spoke at the public hearing.