Commission Briefs

Professional services contract signed

Mason County signed a professional services contract with Bridgeview Consulting to update the county’s multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.

According to the information packet, counties are required to update their hazard mitigation plans every five years to stay compliant with the state and federal emergency management requirements. Current plans are required to access emergency management and disaster funding programs.

Bridgeview Consulting will work with county staff and representatives from governmental, community, nonprofit and other groups, and the public to work through the FEMA process to update the current plan that expires April 29.

The contract is for $80,750 for a performance period of Nov. 8 to April 3. The contract is funded through a hazard mitigation grant for $76,500 and the state military department is providing $4,250 and the county is matching it with $4,250.

Code amended

Mason County code was amended to reflect the current organizational structure under the county commissioners.

According to the information packet, Community Development, Human Resources, Public Health and Human Services, Support Services, Public Works, Office of Public Defense and Washington State University Extension Office reports to the county administrator serving at the pleasure of the county commissioners.

Money for homeless

Crossroads Housing received $530,000 in a subcontract approved by Mason County commissioners at the Nov. 8 meeting.

According to the information packet, the Department of Commerce added Amendment D to the Consolidated Homeless Grant creating a permanent eviction prevention rental assistance program through RCW 43.185C.185. An additional $761,607 was allocated through June 30 and the $530,000 is subcontracted to Crossroads Housing from Nov. 1 to June 30.

Along with the Crossroads Housing money, $178,295 will be subcontracted to the Shelton Family Center.

Court commissioner made full time

The Superior Court commissioner position was increased from 37 to 40 hours per week to be a full-time employee by the Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, Superior Court talked with the commissioners during the 2023 budget meeting about significant changes to the civil protection order statuses that were enacted July 1. The court has protection order dockets Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and the dockets are starting to become overwhelmed with complex cases. To accommodate the increased workload, a Tuesday protection order docket was requested, which would require the commissioner’s contract to be increased to a full time employee.

The 2022 budget effect will be $1,303 and the 2023 budget will see a $15,295 effect.

Agreement with port

Mason County commissioners signed a memorandum of agreement with the Port of Allyn to codify the letter between the county and the port concerning work on Sherwood Creek.

According to the information packet, the Port of Allyn briefed commissioners Dec. 14, 2009, with a request to encumber reclaimed water from the North Bay sewer system.

Using the reclaimed water would help alleviate negative hydraulic effects to Sherwood Creek from the Port’s new well and water right. The North Bay sewer utility reclaims 365,000 gallons per day, and the 2.7-acre foot per month referenced in the agreement is 880,000 gallons per month or 8% of a normal month reclaimed water production.

The Port of Allyn requested the agreement at the request of the Squaxin Island Tribe.

Emergency grant approved

An Emergency Management Performance Grant was approved by Mason County commissioners at the Oct. 25 meeting.

According to the information packet, the grant originated from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the state military department, then went through the state Emergency Management Division to Mason County. The grant is a yearly reimbursable grant that the county has received since 2007, with the purpose of assisting the enhancement, sustainment and improvement of state, local and tribal emergency management programs. The grant will assist with continuity of operations planning and continuity of government planning for county office and exercising of said plans.

The request amends the original workplan, including an update of the comprehensive emergency management plan to aid the incorporation of the county’s operational approach. Previously identified as a corrective action, the amendment will include development of a two-year training cycle. The grant end date was extended to Oct. 31. There is no budget effect for the approved action.

Schirman appointed to TIP-CAP

Mason County resident Blair Schirman was appointed to the Transportation Improvement Program Citizens Advisory Panel to represent Commissioner District 3.

According to the information packet, the application was received for a vacant position on TIP-CAP, a nine-member committee that serves each commissioner district with three spots each. Schirman was appointed for a two-year term ending Nov. 8, 2024.