Commission Briefs

County to receive USDA money

Mason County commissioners approved allocating U.S. Department of Agriculture Secure Rural Schools and Roads money at the Aug. 30 meeting.

According to the information packet, the USDA requiries counties to choose an allocation of USDA money from three categories. Title I money is for roads and schools, Title II is for projects on federal lands and Title III is for county projects, depending on the size of the county’s share of money.

The allocation was set by Resolution 49-13, which is 80% to Title I, 13% to Title II and 7% to Title III. The budget office recommends changing the allocation to the maximum county benefit of 85% to Title I, 8% to Title II and 7% to Title III. Mason County falls into the major category of $350,000 or greater in funds and must allocate 15% to 20% of its share to Title II or Title III, or a combination of both, except that the allocation of Title III projects cannot exceed 7%. 

An eligible county that fails to allocate its share of the state money will be considered to have elected to expend 80% of the share for public schools and roads. The remaining 20% will be available to the Forest Service to carry out projects in the eligible county to further the purposes of Title II. Allocation forms are due back to the USDA from the state treasurer by Sept. 30, and the treasurer has requested the forms to be returned from the counties by Sept. 15. 

In 2022, County Road Fund 105 received $146,502 in Title I money and National Forest Safety fund 134 received $25,638 in Title III money. With the new election, county roads would receive about $155,619. 

Cash drawers increased for utilities

A resolution was approved to increase the Mason County Utilities and Waste Management cash drawers from six to eight. 

According to the information packet, the Treasurer’s Office is tasked with the review and recommendations of imprest funds, petty cash and cash drawers. While reviewing the cash handling practices and working with utilities and waste, it was determined that in order to provide internal control oversight of cash drawers at Mason County Solid Waste Facilities, staff at those locations need to have access and accountability for their own cash drawer. This requires the amount of cash drawers available be increased from six to eight and the amounts available in each drawer. 

The move will affect the budget $1,700. 

Fire Marshal’s Office burn restrictions policy approved

Mason County commissioners approved the county Fire Marshal’s Office burn restrictions policy. 

According to the information packet, fire seasons are getting longer and Mason County has seen an increase in the number of heat waves and wildfire threats. This has prompted a need to adopt a unified policy for burn restrictions and bans. This was accomplished through the state and federal levels through the use of the National Fire Danger Rating System that, at times, has not been followed by the county. This has often resulted in public confusion and frustrated fire districts that spend time and resources responding to burn complaints. With most fire districts experiencing staffing shortages, it increases the risk of the agency being delayed to a real life-threatening emergencies. 

In an effort to minimize public confusion and reduce the demand on the fire districts, this policy was approved by the county fire chiefs at their August meeting and has now been approved by commissioners. 

The policy is two pages and outlines definitions, methodology, policy, levels of fire danger and notification and messaging. To view all of the policy, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/zd339zyv. 

Three appointed to preservation panel

William Jensen, Steven Bass and Caleb Cowles were appointed to the Mason County Historic Preservation Commission. 

According to the information packet, the commission is a seven-member commission which serves to identify and actively encourage the conservation of the county’s historic resources. Members serve three-year terms. 

The three appointments fill the three open unexpired terms. 

Service contracts amended

Mason County Public Works received a stamp of approval to amend six county contracts by the county commissioners. 

According to the information packet, Public Works has five consultant agreements and one maintenance service agreement that will be expiring at the end of the year. 

The contract with Exeltech Consulting for engineering and design services for the fish barrier correct culvert projects was extended. The contract with Gibbs and Olson for Public Work facility water and wastewater system design was extended and the value was increased by $15,000. 

The contract with Parametrix Inc. for Hydraulic and Hydrological Analysis and design services for lower Uncle Johns Creek culvert replacement was extended and the value was increased by $25,000. A separate contract with Parametrix for on-call post closure for Mason County Landfill was extended. 

The contract with Correct Equipment for grinder pump service maintenance was extended. 

County engineer to execute agreements for services

Mason County Engineer Mike Collins has been approved to secure and execute agreements for materials testing and engineering and construction services from the county’s consultant roster. 

According to the information packet, county commissioners authorized Public Works to use the county consultant roster to select and enter into multiple agreements for on-call services as needed. Public Works needs an on-call agreements for materials testing and engineering and construction services for upcoming county road projects and other Public Works activities, including emergencies. 

Services will be required for most of the upcoming Public Works projects and the maximum amount for each of the services cannot exceed $200,000 to cover the known road project needs and any unanticipated events. Costs will be incurred for specific projects and events in compliance with the Public Works approved budget. 

County asks for road work bids

Mason County is putting out a call for bids for 2023 county road work. 

According to the information packet, the bids are for paint line, asphalt emulsion, culvert pipe and lining, manufacturing and stockpiling for chip-seal aggregate and asphaltic materials for summer road maintenance projects. The purpose to call for bids is to solicit bids for the procurement of road maintenance materials and services for the 2023 maintenance programs. The annual purchase of these materials and services is expected to cost at least $50,000 and requires formal competitive bidding for each. 

Agreement for opioid settlement

Mason County commissioners approved chair Kevin Shutty to sign the allocation agreement governing the allocation of money paid by the settling opioid distributors in the state. 

According to the information packet, Attorney General Bob Ferguson rejected a national settlement between McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. in order to take the three opioid distributors to trial, resulting in the state receiving $46 million in additional resources from the distributors to provide substance abuse treatment and support other strategies to address the opioid crisis. 

The resolution is not final until all litigating state jurisdictions and at least 90% of nonlitigating jurisdictions with populations over 10,000 agree to its terms by Sept. 23. If approved, the state will receive $518 million to be paid over the next 17 years.