Commission Briefs

County administrator approved to sign services agreement

County Administrator Mark Neary has been approved by Mason County commissioners to sign a professional services agreement with Cabot Dow Associates for labor employment services.

According to the information packet, the services will not exceed $50,000. The request for proposals for labor employment services closed April 29, with the only response from Cabot Dow Associates. Cabot Dow is a small sole-proprietor that has extensive experience specializing in representing public sector clients in the full spectrum of compensation studies, collective bargaining matters including negotiations, mediation and inter arbitration proceedings. The company has worked with Jefferson, Kitsap, Yakima, Snohomish, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Pierce, Island, Clark and Cowlitz counties.

Cabot Dow’s fee for negotiation services is $186 per hour, not to exceed $30,000 for work performed on behalf of the county negotiating union contracts. The fee for consultation for a salary comparison study of all non-represented staff is $175 per hour not to exceed $20,000 for work, with a maximum of $50,000 unless expressly authorized by the county.

Mason County has not performed a compensation study in more than two decades and a study might help improve employee recruitment, retention, pay satisfaction and contain labor costs.

County approves termination of interlocal agreement

Mason County commissioners approved the termination of an interlocal agreement for the Hood Canal Regional Septic Loan Program at the commissioners meeting on May 24.

According to the information packet, the agreement was between Mason, Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties and the Kitsap Public Health District. The agreement was for the CRAFT3 revolving fund for the Hood Canal Clean Water Fund and the last loan repayment was made after the loan reached maturity and was fully repaid to the state Department of Ecology.

The program was created to provide financial assistance to citizens residing within the boundaries to address water quality issues in Hood Canal caused by onsite sewage systems.

Contract between county and Watershed Company approved

Mason County commissioners approved chair Kevin Shutty to sign the contract between the county and The Watershed Co. authorizing the company to assist in completing work.

According to the information packet, The Watershed Co. will help complete work outlined in the 2021 to 2023 SMP Competitive Grant. The planning department reviewed and scored two proposals in response to the distribution of the SMP Competitive Grant and User Guide Project RFP. The Watershed Co. had experience and examples on the subject matter and the county and consultant drafted a contract and scope of work, and the contract has been reviewed by county staff and the planning department requested the commissioners approve the chair to sign it.

The scope of work includes project kickoff and coordination, drafting SMP user guide and shoreline application forms, develop draft interactive website, public outreach and final SMP user guide, shoreline application forms and interactive website.