Commission Briefs

Commission OKs budget public hearing

County commissioners approved a public hearing for 9:15 a.m. Dec. 20 to consider approving the supplemental budget requests and budget transfers to the 2022 budget.

According to the information packet, this is the first draft and final planned budget amendments for 2022.

Field-use rates increase

Mason County commissioners approved a 2023 rate increase for Parks & Trails field-use fees at their Nov. 22 meeting.

According to the information packet, fees will be adjusted annually by using the Seattle Consumer Price Index according to department policy. The 2023 increase would be 10.1%.

The commissioners asked for options and after review, staff is recommending the parks fee policy be changed to allow for an annual adjustment using the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue CPIU, from August to August, with a minimum annual increase of 2% and a maximum increase of 7%. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue CPIU for August 2022 was 9%.The field-use rates were approved for a 5% rate increase. Organized youth leagues pay $21.50 for two hours of practice use and $36.75 for a game. For organized adult leagues, practice field rates are $30.50 for two hours and games are $44. Tournaments are $161 per field and $1,124.50 to rent the full complex.

Miscellaneous field use is $21.50 per hour.

The budget effect will generate an additional $1,000 in revenue for the Parks & Trails department.

Applications sought for Civil Service Commission

County commissioners are seeking applicants for a vacancy on the Civil Service Commission for a six-year term. 

According to a news release, an individual must be a citizen, a resident of the county for at least two years and an elector in Mason County. The person will serve without compensation.

The purpose of the commission is to establish a merit system of employment for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of the sheriff’s department. The commission meets at 5 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Mason County Building 9, 423 North 5th St., Shelton.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to take an application from the Mason County commissioners office or online at http://www.masoncountywa.com. The position is open until filled with the first review Dec. 9.

<<span class=plus_two>strong>Homeland Security money approved

County commissioners approved a grant contract with the State Homeland Security Program for $15,335 from the state Military Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security for performance period Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2024.

According to the information packet, Mason County Emergency Management Division is part of Homeland Security Region 3, which includes Mason, Lewis, Thurston, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. The grant money has been awarded annually since 2003. The grant this year is $1,841 less than the previous grant.

The money will provide a portion of the $32,800 needed for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office to buy an unmanned remotely operated underwater vehicle to provide underwater detection, surveillance and recovery capabilities beyond 100 feet.

Public Works gets OK to buy tractors

Mason County Public Works was approved to purchase two Kalmar Ottawa T2 Yard Tractors by county commissioners.

According to the information packet, the Eells Hill Transfer Station uses yard tractors daily to move refuse trailers. Both need to be replaced.

With solid waste amounts rising, the is necessary to move refuse trailers effectively, according to the county. Savings are estimated to be $130,000 to date this year.

Public Works contacted vendors and found RWC International had two tractors available and will take the county’s two yard tractors as trade-in. The budget effect is $289,156 for the two tractors. County ARPA money totaling $240,000 is being used along with $10,236 for the trade-ins, $38,920.

Public Works contracts with Fire District 11

Mason County Public Works signed a contract with Fire District 11 for fire protection and emergency medical services.

The move was approved by county commissioners.

According to the information packet, the contract has been in effect since 2016 for fire protection and EMS to the Public Works property and building off of U.S. Highway 101.

The budget effect is $6,400 annually paid by Public Works.

Data completion proposal approved

Mason County approved Mott MacDonald Company’s proposal for completing data for a memorandum of agreement between the county and the Squaxin Island Tribe.

According to the information packet, two proposals were submitted to the county.

The budget effect is $45,937 from the general fund. 

Commissioners table Grapeview request

Mason County commissioners tabled a vote on a Port of Grapeview request for $20,000 of the 0.09 Rural County Sales & Use Tax money to the Dec. 6 meeting.

According to the information packet, the Port of Grapeview submitted an application for 2023 funding from the Economic Development Council for $90,000. Notices were sent out to the City of Shelton and port districts. Port of Grapeview sent in the request for money to support operations and maintenance of the port’s boat launch, restrooms and boat dock.

“I’ll just say this doesn’t have anything to do with the project, this is all process,” commissioner Kevin Shutty said during the meeting. “Good project, it received a lot of interest and support at the EDC’s legislative committee so this is just us making sure we’re putting the horse in front of the cart.”

California, Sunnyside Road’s new speed limits OK’d

California and Sunnyside Road were each approved for 25-mph speed limits at the Nov. 22 commissioners meeting.

According to the information packet, both roads were recently chip-sealed and both roads were removed from the primitive roads list. With the removal and upgrade, a speed limit was needed to be established for California Road for the chip-sealed portion from milepost 0.0 to 1.3. An engineering and traffic investigation was conducted on both roads and the county engineer recommended the 25-mph speed limit for both roads.On Sunnyside Road, the speed limit was 35 mph from milepost 0.0 to 0.550, but no speed limit from 0.550 to 3.450. The speed limit was changed to 25 mph from milepost 0.0 to 3.450.

No one spoke during the public comment period of the public hearing.

“This should cut down on phone calls we get from a specific individual,” commissioner Randy Neatherlin said during the meeting about California Road. “It’s appreciated. I’ve been getting that phone call for 10 years.”

Commissioner Sharon Trask commended Public Works staff for completing this work.