Commission Briefs

Mason County included in settlement

Mason County commissioners approved a proposed settlement between multiple parties, including Mason County, and the state Department of Natural Resources regarding DNR-managed forest lands.

According to the information packet, Mason County along with other counties, school districts, fire districts and government entities, challenged the Sustainable Harvest Calculation for the 2015-2024 planning decade adopted by DNR and the proposed settlement.

The settlement is intended to improve the forest inventory data used by DNR for the development of the 2025-2034 Sustainable Harvest Calculation, transition DNR to a plot-based, stand-level inventory program covering all operable acres of forest trust land in Western Washington, prescribe a process to improve the accuracy for identifying the operable land base used in the development of the 2025 SHC, facilitate DNR’s development of the 2025 SHC and tactical plan that produces spatially explicit harvest schedules and commit to annual reporting to provide accountability for the 2025 SHC.

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin gave a pat on the back to the Washington State Association of Counties for its work on the lawsuit.

“I’m not a fan of lawsuits, but there’s been a time where this county had to step in and become parts of certain lawsuits in order to protect the county from state, federal, different things over the years,” Neatherlin said. “This one is turning out to be good for all of the citizens of Mason County for being involved with that group and wanted to thank Commissioner (Sharon) Trask on that one as well because she’s the representative at WSAC with us.”

Trask said the lawsuit had been going on for three years and it was “quite interesting to be part of the process and be able to help support our junior taxing districts.”

Money appropriated to Rustlewood Water System

The Rustlewood Water System was given $550,000 of grant money by the Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a 2022 Supplemental State Capital Budget, which included money to the Rustlewood Water System Upgrades project. The project will address water-quality issues, update and improve drinking water system reliability and safety for the community of Rustlewood. The project will also include reservoir, wellfield and system pressurization electrical and control to be brought up to current electrical code compliance standards through rewiring and critical component replacements.

The state Department of Commerce will retain 3%, with a maximum of $50,000 for administering the project to cover administrative costs. The grant money will cover all the project costs.

Money approved for Belfair Water Reclamation Facility

Mason County commissioners approved grant appropriation money for the Belfair Water Reclamation Facility debt relief project.

According to the information packet, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the 2022 Supplemental State Capital Budget, which included $500,000 of debt relief for the Belfair Wastewater System. The state Department of Commerce will retain 3% with a maximum of $50,000 for administering the project to cover administrative cost. The net grant will be $485,000.

Public Works purchases asphalt cutter

Mason County commissioners approved Public Works request to purchase an asphalt cutter for a John Deere excavator.

According to the information packet, Public Works uses two John Deere excavators that are regularly on maintenance and storm activities. The asphalt cutters were purchased to avoid costly asphalt dig outs during underground maintenance or to repair cracked or broken sections of asphalted roads or walking paths.

The FELCO attachment was sold through PAPE Machinery and the cost was $14,119.92. With the savings on other equipment this year, there is still $469,347.16 remaining in the equipment budget.

Two county organizations adopt roads

Mason Benson Center was approved to sign an Adopt-A-Road agreement with Mason County and Friends of Pleasant Cove.

According to the information packet, volunteers Robert Leslie and Nancy Star from the Mason Benson Center applied to Adopt Mason Lake Drive West from milepost 0.0 to 6.600, Mason Lake Drive East from milepost 0.0 to 2.949, Mason Lake Drive South from milepost 0.0 to 1.758 and Benson Lake Drive from milepost 0.0 to 1.653. Friends of Pleasant Cove submitted an agreement for Lower Elfendahl Pass Road from milepost 0.0 to 1.840.

The Public Works Transportation technician spoke with Star and Leslie and will meet with the group to answer questions, go over risks, responsibilities and safety rules.

The Adopt-A-Road agreement is for two years and volunteers commit to pick up litter at least twice per year.

County sells Johns Prairie Road property

Mason County commissioners approved the sale of real property on Johns Prairie Road to New Hiawatha LLC after a public hearing.

According to the information packet, the parcel was purchased by the county in 1990 for $1,742.24. The Planning Department said based on the size of the land and it not being developable for commercial development, the fair market value would be $3,000 to $5,000. The county assessor’s market value for the parcel is $3,690 and the surveyor surveyed the property at 0.21 acres or 9,008.28 square feet.

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin said the county made sure there was no favoritism or special treatment to New Hiawatha for selling the property.

“It’s a complete arms-length transaction and for the most amount of money that anyone was willing to offer for it at the time,” Neatherlin said.

Public hearing July 19 on open space applications

Mason County commissioners set a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. July 19 to consider the 2021 open space applications.

According to the information packet, the Open Space Taxation Act went into effect in 1970 and allows property owners to have their open space, farm, agricultural and timberlands valued at their current use rather than the highest and best use.

Mason County received six applications for the program.