Commission Briefs

Visitor information money set to be allocated

Mason County commissioners approved the allocation of money to three organizations from 2023 visitor information services funding at Tuesday’s meeting.

According to the information packet, the amount allocated was $173,972 by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, who met July 20 and recommended how the money should be allocated. The North Mason Chamber of Commerce received $48,712 for 2023, the Mason County Historical Society received $19,137 and the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce received $106,123.

Lodging tax revenues have increased and were $869,863 in 2021. The amount for 2022 is anticipated to be close to the same amount, but it is unknown if people will resume pre-COVID-19 travel habits.

Defender position available

Mason County’s Office of Public Defender is seeking a Public Defender II after approval from the commissioners.

According to the information packet, the focus for the position is juvenile dependency and superior civil and therapeutics court along with other essential functions assigned to the position. The 2023 budget effect will be $109,922 to $119,340.

River gauge replaced

The Skokomish River gauge is being replaced after approval from the Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, the commission authorized the placement and payment for a stream gauge at the confluence of Vance Creek above Kirkland Creek near Potlatch, warning of flooding farther down the Skokomish River. In coordination with Public Works staff, staff has found a comparable replacement with less of an annual cost.

The replacement is in use in several locations along the Skokomish River. The TOLTHAWK replaces the USDIO gauge and the gauge reading is accessible through tolthawk.com.

The savings generated by replacing this meter is 6.5 times less expensive while having the same effectiveness. The current cost is $9,090 from October 2022 to October 2023 and comparable replacement is $1,100 initial purchase price plus $500 for estimated installation and initial monitoring costs plus an annual dashboard cost for all placed gauges of $250 per year.

Collective bargaining agreement approved

Mason County commissioners approved a collective bargaining agreement for Teamsters Union Local No. 252 representing Mason County Appraisers Unit.

According to the information packet, the exclusive representatives of Teamsters Union Local No. 252 representing Mason County Appraisers Unit reached an agreement with the county for the 2022-2024 contract. The agreement is retroactive to June 1.

For the full agreement, go to pages 57 to 135 of the commissioners meeting packet at http://www.tinyurl.com/4f56scbw.

New asphalt compactor

Mason County commissioners approved Public Works to purchase a 2021 HAMM HD12VV Asphalt Compactor as a special market value purchase.

According to the information packet, last year, Public Works purchased an asphalt finish roller to use for asphalt overlay projects. With the amount of asphalt projects, Public Works decided the roller is too small for the department’s needs.

During the Oak Park paving project, Public Works was unable to use the roller and had to rent a HAMM Asphalt Compactor from PAPE Machinery. The equipment met the needs of the construction program and PAPE offered to sell the compactor and take the asphalt finish roller as a trade-in, giving a trade-in value close to the purchase price.

The trade-in value for the finish roller is $27,500 and the total for the new asphalt compactor is $57,337.50, meaning the remaining balance is $29,837.50, which would come out of the 2022 county road fund budget.

Shelton Valley Road culvert replacement approved

The Shelton Valley Road culvert replacement project resolution was approved for Public Works to advertise and set bid opening day and time, award contract and any change orders by Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, County Road Project 2042 is a culvert replacement project that involves the removal of an existing undersized culvert from milepost 1.94 to 2.06 to improve fish passage and increase safety by reducing flooding concerns on Shelton Valley Road.

The project is in the six-year Transportation Improvement Program and is on the 2023 annual construction program that the board will be considering in the Sept. 27 commissioners meeting.

Public Works received Rural Arterial Trust Account money the commissioners accepted June 7 in the amount of $429,872. The County Road Administration Board would like to amend the original project agreement and increase the money to $477,972 in RATA money.

The total estimated project cost is $559,000, which mean $81,028 will be needed from the county road fund budget to complete the project.