BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of December 13, 2004
The Board met in a staff workshop from 9:05 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. regarding supplemental budgets, with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2004 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mary Repar advised of concerns regarding the County’s contract with the Public Development Authority (PDA) and the Prosecutor serving as a PDA member with voting right.
Larry Mulcihy advised of his continued concerns regarding a right of way issue on Eyman Cemetery Road.
Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, advised that budgeted funds for the purchase of a mini bus and transit bus ordered in 2004 may not be expended until 2005 due to a delay in delivery.
Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, reported on Road Department maintenance, International Building Code Regulations, engineering activities, various bridges, and a right of way issue at Salmon Falls/Washougal River Roads.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda, as follows:
A. Minutes for week of December 6, 2004.
B. Set public hearing for 10:00 AM Thursday, December 23, 2004.to consider Resolution 2004-54 Supplemental Budget #3.
C. Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, January 10, 2005 to consider an appeal from Walter Wagner regarding applied conditions to the Deer Meadow Retreat Short Plat to upgrade Griffing Road (private) to comply with Skamania County Private Road Standards.
D. Special occasion liquor license for Cape Horn Post 122 for December 31, 2004.
E. Acknowledge claims for damages from Winnie J. Alway.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to authorize the purchase services to recondition the engine of a 1978 950 Catepillar Wheel Loader.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement with the Office of State Procurement for 2005 for the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund to allow the purchase of new vehicles at the government rate.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a contract with Technical Results Group LTD to provide evidence audit services for Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve a contract with the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to provide funding to administer the National Scenic Area Act.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-55, jointly with Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties correcting the expiration date of the term for Merle Koplan, appointed on September 27, 2004.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-56, distributing Federal Forest Fund receipts from the Treasurer’s trust.
A public hearing was held to consider adoption of Ordinance 2004-06, imposing an increase in the County’s portion of the excise tax on timber harvested in Skamania County from public lands, phased-in over ten years, and credited against the state tax, providing for administration and collection by the State Department of Revenue creating a timber tax account; and establishing a January 1, 2005 effective date. The hearing was continued until 1:30 p.m. this date to allow for additional information. This ordinance does not involve any increase in taxes charged to those harvesting the timber.
The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2004 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-44, adopting the Six-Year Transportation Program. It is noted that the Board reviewed the Six-Year Transportation Program at a public hearing held on November 29, 2004.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-45, adopting the 2005 Annual Road Program.
A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2004-48, setting Current Expense and County Road Property Tax Levies for 2005. Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to set the Current Expense regular property tax levy for 2005 at $1,341,943, which is an increase of $13,293 from 2004 and to set the County Road regular property tax levy for 2005 at $1,071,355, which is an increase of $10,607 from 2004. These proposed levies are one percent (1%) over the amount levied for collection in 2004. In addition to the levy amounts stated above, the increased amount resulting from the addition of new construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state assessed property shall be collected for both levies, and the increase in the levy rate to adjust for the value lost in the property tax valuation decision in 2004 concerning Skamania Lodge in the amount of $19,312.
A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2004-51, adopting the 2005 Budget. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, presented corrections and suggested changes to the 2005 Preliminary Budget as follows:
CURRENT EXPENSE
Auditor
§ Add $9,000 in revenues and expenses to Auditor’s Budget for COBRA Health Insurance Payments.
Buildings and Grounds:
§ Adjust revenue estimates between hospital district building principal payments and lease payments. NO CHANGES IN BOTTOM LINE.
Planning and Community Development
§ Reduce Grant income and Professional Services by $15,200 each. A portion of the grant anticipated in 2005 will be spent in 2004.
§ Decrease Ending Dedicated Balance by $3,226 for property taxes and $10,000 for operating transfer to Clerk’s Collection Fund.
§ Add $10,000 operating transfer to Clerk’s Collection Fund. (Exact Balance of unspent revenue in Current Expense will be transferred to this fund after revenue and expenditures reconciled in January 2005.)
§ Increase Property Tax revenue and Ending Dedicated Balance by $177 to reflect change in state assessment.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
§ Add Property Tax revenue and increase Ending Dedicated Balance by $10,689 to reflect change in state assessment. Property tax revenue inadvertently left out of Preliminary budget.
VETERAN’S RELIEF
§ Increase Property Tax revenue and Ending Dedicated Balance by $155 to reflect change in state assessment.
§ Increase Payments to veterans by $1,620 to reflect amount of property tax funds collected for 2005.
§ Increase Current Expense Property tax revenue $14,571 due to revised state assessment value.
§ Increase Ending Dedicated Balance by $14,571 or Increase Machinery and Equipment by $10,000 and increase Ending Dedicated Balance by $4,571.
§ Increase machinery & equipment line item by $12,000. Cost of Solid Waste Truck incorrectly budgeted at $18,000 rather than $30,000.
§ Decrease Ending Dedicated Balance by $12,000.
§ Add revenue and budget in the amount of $8,500 + $5,000 unspent carryover from Current Expense. Fund is self-supporting.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to continue the public hearing for adoption of the 2005 Budget to Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 1:30 p.m.
The Board continued the public hearing from earlier this date to consider adoption of Ordinance 2004-06, imposing an excise tax on timber harvested in Skamania County from private lands; and from public lands, phased-in over ten years, and credited against the state tax, providing for administration and collection by the State Department of Revenue creating a timber tax account; and establishing a January 1, 2005 effective date. Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Ordinance 2004-06 as presented.
The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2004 and reconvened at 3:50 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve an agreement with the Department of Revenue for administration and collection of excise tax on persons engaging in business as harvesters of timber.
The meeting recessed at 3:55 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2004 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2004, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a special payroll for longevity pay for an employee.
The meeting recessed at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2004, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a ceremony dedicating the Drano Lake Boat Ramp to the citizen’s of Skamania County. Representatives from the Public Works Department gave presentation of the project and introduced project participants, which included the US Forest Service, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, Columbia River Gorge Commission and several County employees.
The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present.
Walt Loehrke and Kathy Sheehan, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) members, reported on the CRGC meeting of December 14, 2004.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 16, 2004 in the amount of $185,667.64.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, December 16, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON