Commission Briefs

Old Belfair Highway project

Mason County commissioners approved an update to the project limits of the Old Belfair Highway county road project at the April 11 meeting.

According to the information packet, commissioners approved a resolution May 21, 2019, for Old Belfair Highway to widen and realign a portion of the road. The project includes an extension of an existing structural plate aluminum arch culvert as well as improving the road geometrics to a 50 mph design standard. Public Works received Rural Arterial Trust Account money from the County Road Administration Board for $565,972, and the amount was increased to $1,186,000 and project limits have been revised to milepost 1.20 to 2.60. Public Works requested a revision to the resolution to reflect the new project limits on the 2023 annual construction program approved by CRAB.

The estimated cost of the project is $1,420,000. RATA money will cover most of the cost.

Inmate housing deal OK’d

County commissioners renewed a prisoner housing contract with Lewis County.

According to the information packet, the prisoner housing agreement between Lewis and Mason Counties to house Mason County prisoners in Lewis County. The county anticipates housing inmates remotely if the jail becomes too crowded, an inmate needs to be segregated, or if there is an emergency. The contract assigns the daily rate at $92.40 for general population inmates and $110.88 for those who require individual housing.

If the county needs to pay for housing in Lewis County, it is anticipated to be paid out of existing budget authority. If the need arises to use beds on a regularly, commissioners would be approached about specific funding.

MasonWebTV contract

Mason County commissioners amended the contract between the county and MasonWebTV.

According to the information packet, MasonWebTV uses their own equipment and provides live video streaming and recording services for the county since 2017. The most recent contract between the county and MasonWebTV was approved Sept. 27.

The contract amendment will amend the 2023-24 contract term and add a Zoom only flat rate of $25 per hour. MasonWebTV is budgeted for $12,500 and the amendment is not expected to affect the budget significantly.

Concessions contract

Mendoza’s Texas Style Food was awarded the contract for concessions at the Mason County Recreation Area.

According to the information packet, the county allows concession vendors to sell food and beverages for visitors to the park. The vendors are selected and awarded contracts through a competitive request for proposals process.

County staff completed a review of the proposal submitted and recommends contracting with Mendoza’s Texas Style Food for concessions and has provided concessions at the MCRA since 2017.

Concession vendor contracts do not affect the county financially because the vendor is required to compensate Mason County at a rate of 10% of gross income from food and beverage sales in exchange for using the county facilities. The money is used to offset any cost the county has in procuring or facilitating the vendors.

Community Lifeline grant

Community Lifeline’s shelter program grant amendment was approved by Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, the state Department of Commerce has additional Shelter Program Grant money for the purpose of developing or expanding shelter programs and bringing unsheltered people inside. The goal is to help participants find permanent housing and positive outcomes. Community Lifeline is the recipient of the grant and the additional money will allow the completion of post-occupancy capital projects to improve the shelter’s facility and ability to increase shelter bed capacity from 35 to 50 beds.

The budget impact will be $57,235.