Friday, March 29, 2024

Commissioners approve hiring security guards for Okanogan County courthouse

Moldy files will be treated, archived

Posted

Editor’s note: The following meeting summary of the Board of Commissioners of Okanogan County (BOCC) for the first week of February 2023, is taken from notes provided by County Watch (countywatch.org)

OKANOGAN -- The Board of Okanogan County Commissioners gave the green light to hiring two unarmed security guards to provide security for the Okanogan County courthouse. The cost of the two guards, provided by Pacific Security of Everett, will be $104,000 annually.

Other BOCC business:

Monday, Feb 6, a.m.

  • Seven commentors told the BOCC they are extremely unhappy with the Tunk Valley re-zone decision which establishes 160 acre lots. They feel they weren’t properly notified about the Planning Commission meeting that recommended the change. They said there should have been notification posted on the road entering the area and sent letters and phone calls notifying nearby property owners in addition to the legal notice in the newspaper. They also feel the change from five acre lots to minimum 160 acre lots robs them of the value of their land.
  • Director of Planning Pete Palmer assured the BOCC that the Planning Department met all notice requirements under the law for changes that will affect many property owners instead of just a few.
  • Fairgrounds Manager Naomie Peasley told the BOCC that the recent improvements at the Annex have turned the venue into a professional meeting area. She also described the planned upgrades to the electrical connections at the arena.
  • BOCC discussed budgets for the Oroville EMS District, Tonasket EMS District and the Methow Valley EMS District.

 
Tuesday, Feb 7, a.m.

  • Public Comment: Emily Sisson listened to the previous day’s discussion regarding use of an outside vendor - Pacific Security - with grant money. She cautioned about using an armed security guard unless he/she is well trained.
  • Requests for quotes (RFQs) have been received for architect/engineering services for the justice building. Commissioners will review the quotes next week. The City of Twisp will meet with BOCC regarding its use of allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for its water system.
  • Mike Worden, Chief Communication Officer/Dispatch advised BOCC that 9 of 13 positions have been filled and the radio project is in the works, Worden will get back to BOCC with an estimate for getting all fire districts in county up to date with the radio system. Worden also reported on the 911 dispatch center coordination with Skagit, Skamania, Lincoln, and San Juan counties.
  • Public Works updated BOCC.

 
Tuesday, Feb 7, p.m.

  • Human Resources provided a job description for the $64,000/year Public Records Officer. HR is reviewing related records-retrieving servers and will meet with Pacific Security, court personnel and sheriff to discuss courthouse security.
  • Commissioner Hover suggested changes to the official meeting minutes regarding comments about battery recycling increasing carbon footprint and about Conconully’s funding request being prioritized over that of the county 911 communications system.
  • The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) boat launch projects were approved for Patterson, Sidley and Spectacle lakes. Patterson users said they are wary. Explanatory meetings have reassured some. The high-water mark and ownership of Sidley Lake bottom were discussed. Commissioner Hover revisited the river access by the bridge north of Brewster for a WDFW project.
  • Moldy court cases files from ice dam leakage in courthouse attic are suspected of causing sickness among several of clerk’s staff. The files will be treated externally for $6,251. Keeping records for eternity has a price. It will cost $10,000 to put 100 years of archives onto microfiche.

The county is not interested in inheriting steep river property by Chopaka and recommends DNR, the adjoining owner, for acquisition.

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