Thursday, March 28, 2024

County Commissioners cite unexpected snowfall issues

Overdose calls eclipse Covid: Board Of Health

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OKANOGAN – The following are summaries of the Board of Commissioners of Okanogan County (BOCC) and Board of Health (BOH) meetings as provided by County Watch (countywatch.org).

Board of County Commissioners

Monday, Nov 7, 2022 a.m.

  • Emergency Manager recounts multitude of minor snowstorm-related incidents.
  • Planning report: more non-permitted Septic tanks installed; take on a summer intern?
  • Fairgrounds manager presents state funding application for signature, grant received from state to upgrade bathrooms, sewer problem fixed.
  • Commissioner Hover ponders County’s median income figures.
  • District Court budget features falling revenues from lack of jury trials, not writing tickets, the pandemic; Commissioner Hover asks why District Parole Officer is necessary.


Monday, Nov 7, 2022 p.m.

  • Mike Worden, Dispatch Center, discusses his proposed letter the commissioners could send to legislators to obtain funding for new radios and other equipment for emergency responders in the county. The emergency responders need to upgrade their radios to be compatible with the new dispatch system.
  • Ester Milner and the commissioners continue their discussion about updating the County Code. They consider appointing a committee to work on the project.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 a.m.
  • Discussion of ARPA funding ($100,000) for City of Winthrop bridge project.
  • Reclassification of Court Clerk III to an Administrative Secretary with a higher level of duties.
  • Discussion of changing jail billing with cities and towns, based on average use over the last 10 years.
  • Public Works update:
    • This amount of snowfall caught them by surprise – did not expect it to be so much – trying to catch up.
    • Problems with wiper motors and getting stuck.
    • Corps of Engineer project in Conconully completed.
    • Shed at the landfill roof collapsed under the snow.
    • DOT planning on connections between Okanogan and Omak including Rodeo Trail.
    • There is some state funding for wildlife crossing on Hwy 97.
    • Still working with OCOG (Okanogan Council of Governments) on new recreation trails position.
    • County Engineer reports that our temperatures will down in the single digits tomorrow.

Board of Health

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 p.m.

  • $3.5M contract amended, directs $49,000 to emergency preparedness.
  • Overdose calls doubled over past year, eclipsing Covid (manageable at two cases/day)
  • Tiny shelters and added space in shelters planned for homeless this winter.
  • Brainstorming over solutions to poorly protected cesspool on lakeside property brings up re-writing of rules, need for connection to existing sewer extension, and improving inter-departmental communication (instead of ringing up lawyer bills)
  • Public health has new Board member, seeks Environmental Health specialist.

The Okanogan County Board of Health meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Public Health in the Public Works building located at 1234 South 2nd Avenue, Okanogan, WA  98840

 

 

 Board of County Commissioners

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 p.m.

  • County pledges support to Oroville Housing Authority’s 16-unit project now in bid stage. Could benefit from bond-generated infrastructure fund.
  • Economic Alliance chief strongly encourages applying for an advantageous grant for broadband.
  • Public Works allocated ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds.
  • Short discussion about Tunk moratorium and future minimum lot size increase.
  • Pearrygin Lake should be getting “no wake” zone at the ends of the lake.

The Commissioners meet each week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays beginning at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners' hearing room located at 123 5th Ave N, Okanogan, WA. 


 


 

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