BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 3, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2004, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Plaques for 25-years of faithful service to Skamania County were presented to Larry Douglass, County Road Superintendent, and Joe Gallanger, County Road Mechanic.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director, advised of working on a well drilling contract for the Wind River Nursery water supply program, completion of the contract for snowplowing the Forest Service 90 Road, review of proposed short plats, request from the Forest Service for copies of existing bridge plans for the Hemlock Bridge, and gave updates on the Rock Creek Bridge streambed buildup problem, detour plan for cars for rock scaling in the Cape Horn vicinity, Smith Cripe Road project and Carson Frontage Road redesign project. Also discussed was a request to reallocate budgeted funds to purchase a digital sign maker. This request will be scheduled on next week’s agenda for further discussion.

Rich Rush, Central Services Director, gave updates on the installation of the Win-Cams Cost Accounting software program, installation of the new computer and radio system at the Sheriff’s Office, and the wireless communications project for the Courtroom. He also advised that proposals for the Assessor/Treasurer software program are due by May 14 and gave an update on the latest computer virus.

Consent Agenda items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of April 26, 2004.

B. Appoint Paul Willis to Position #3 on Skamania County Mosquito Control Board.

A Special Use Permit was approved for the Boy Scouts of America Fort Vancouver District to use Trout Creek Field at Wind River Nursery site for a District Camporee.

A Certification to the State was approved certifying that Skamania County Juvenile Department is not required to maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan to be considered for funding through the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant program

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2004 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2004, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to prepare for an upcoming budget meeting.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from the Auditor requesting a letter to the Washougal School Board urging reconsideration of the cancellation of a before and after school daycare program at Cape Horn/Skye Elementary School. The Board advised they would contact the school regarding this request.

Vouchers were approved for the period ending May 6, 2004, in the amount of $87,338.03.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Tyler and Deanna Evans regarding a nuisance complaint at the corner of Vine Maple Loop and Metzger Road.

Commissioner McKee advised of receiving a Landowner Acknowledgement Form from Tony Meyer to request a signature from Skamania County for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki property owned along the Washougal River to be included as part of a grant application to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

The Board participated in a workshop with Elected Officials and Department Heads regarding the 2005 budget process and financial projections for 2005. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, gave a presentation, which included an overview of the revenue gap for non-sustaining funds and departments, expenditure changes between 2004 and 2005 budgets, and discussion of suggested options. Those present were advised that by May 20, 2004, the Auditor would call for budgets via electronic format, and budget instructions and personnel sheets would be provided from the Commissioner’s Office. Two budgets would be due back to the Auditor by June 15, one that assumes the current property tax limitations and one that assumes the County will have an additional 25% limitation on property tax collections if I-864 passes. Periodic budget update meetings will be scheduled. Also presented was an update on the increasing costs of health insurance and the need to reestablish a health insurance committee to review options.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss public health, Clark County Public Health Director, Washington State Association of Counties training for citizen communication, and broadband at Wind River Nursery.

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2004.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON