COMMISSION BRIEFS

Commissioners place sales tax on ballot

Commissioners approved a resolution placing a proposition on the Feb. 13 special election ballot authorizing a sales & use tax rate of 2/10 of 1% sales and use tax for 911 emergency communications operations at a special meeting Nov. 28.

MACECOM governance board recommended the tax, saying “additional funding is needed to fund necessary critical infrastructure, increased staffing and operations of the emergency communications center in order to provide vital public safety services to the public,” according to the information packet.

County approves deputy sheriffs’ contract

Mason County has approved the January 2022-December 2025 collective bargaining agreement with Sheriff’s Office Deputies Guild representatives.

Commissioners voted to approve the contract at a special meeting Nov. 28.

“I believe we came to a very good contract. Both sides are very happy.” Detective Michael Sargent, a member on the negotiating committee said.

Sargent called the contract “very good” for the future of the sheriff’s department. The contract will allow deputies who are recruited to stay in the community and be here for their career and retain the “knowledge base” by keeping seasoned deputies, he said.

Guild President Tim Ripp said he was “glad to see where it ended.” More than a year of negotiations were frustrating at times, he said.

“I spent a lot of vacations on Zoom, but it was worth it.”

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin said the commission “cared a lot” about the contract.

“We wanted you to be very well compensated, we wanted you to be protected,” Neatherlin said.

He also thanked his fellow commissioners and staff, saying he was “very proud” of their effort in negotiating the contract.

“I think we did a phenomenal job,” Neatherlin said.

“We wouldn’t be able to be in this position if it wasn’t for cooperation

between labor and management, Commissioner Kevin Shutty said.

“We are a community that

appreciates its law enforcement officers.”

Several deputies and Sheriff Ryan Spurling attended the meeting, and were thanked by Commissioner

Sharon Trask.

“You have a special place in my heart,” Trask told them.