The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 23, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update - Central Services
Mandy Hancock presented Central Services 2005 Goals and Accomplishments. Several items were discussed including the conversion of the Sheriff’s server from Novell to Microsoft. (attached)

Motion - Consent Agenda - Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 6. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

1. Approve Commissioners’ Proceedings August 15 & 16, 2005
2. Resolution Resolution 83-2005 – De-annexation Hospital Dist. #4
3. A19-1A CDBG Rehabilitation Reimbursment Request
4. Agreement Consultant Agreement – Entranco Buttermilk Creek Middle Bridge
5. Agreement Supplemental Agreement – Local 760
6. Letter Washington State Public Works Board

Discussion – Snowmobile Trail Grooming – WA State Parks
Rex Derr, Director, Rob McGaughey, Murray McCory, Frank Sautell, Char Beam

Commissioner Peterson explained that about three weeks ago Rex called and some issues came to light. The Commissioners were concerned that decisions were made that the Commissioners were not aware of. The Commissioners want to keep Snow grooming in the Public Works Department as has been past practice.

Rex Derr presented an overview of the situation. The Park Commissioners and he recognized 10 years ago that the Washington State Parks System would be 100 years old. Understanding the 100 years and the political, financial and environment that the state and counties are facing they decided to make some dramatic changes to use tax dollars wisely and to sustain the system for another 100 years. A decision was made to get rid of about 40 pieces of property and either in October or November to reduce acreage from 260,000 to 210,000 acres. Looking at the assets and moving toward a more business like approach, they are utilizing more private contracts. The travel industry will grow dramatically that in about 6 years the baby boomers will be traveling. The state park system wants to improve and upgrade the facilities to meet this demand. There is a charge from the legislature to increase the budget that is supported by revenue and shift responsibility to the appropriate entity. Costs are being cut in various areas of the State Parks budget. As it relates to the Snowmobile program, the State wants to move from an intergovernmental agreement to contracted services. There has been a shift since 1996 toward private contracts in lieu of intergovernmental agreements. Rex explained that early on there were some governmental agencies that told them they could not afford to provide grooming. When you contract out the agencies that had the equipment and responsibility for doing the work, decided that private contractors were a better option than to pull their employees off other projects to do snowmobile grooming. They have been getting some good bids for this responsibility. There have also been about half a dozen done by private groomers. He has heard in the last year and a half that the work done by private groomers gives them a better quality of service. He believes this has to do with the flexibility of the private contractors. Keeping up with the maintenance of the equipment was also a problem. The state has about 8 groomers and every time one is purchased they contract with the county for maintenance and repair to provide for the life expectancy. When it is a private contractor it is their responsibility. So, it can be found that the private contractors maintain their equipment and provide a good quality service. Because of this, there is a relief on the state and has allowed the grooming program to expand at a very efficient cost. This way the government agency doesn’t have to provide staffing, and purchase and maintain the equipment.

Gary Allard said that the way the program is funded is that snowmobile users purchase a license in addition to a portion of the non-highway gas tax. It is 100% user paid.

Rex stated that he has been pushing every component of his agency to cut costs and shift to private industry. This is a trend that they are pursuing and makes sense statewide. Whatever the Commissioners decide is ok with him. Commissioner Lampe asked about how funds are distributed. Rex stated that there is a formula for determining the distribution. Gary said that the funding amounts to about $13 per mile. When it is a private contractor they have to buy a groomer and pay more per mile. It is known that a groomer has been caught going down the trail with the blade up and charging the state $85 per mile. In addition to the volunteer hours, the snowmobilers have agreed to pay additional fees.

Rob McGaughey said that they have experienced staffing cuts but he believes we should go with what is best for the county. We know we don’t have the dollars to fund the program and would have to ask for current expense funds to support the program. There is a 50% match needed. Last season was an unusual season. Frank doesn’t have a problem with maintaining the equipment. But, he has lost communication with the state. Commissioner Peterson stated that Frank is the supervisor and everything should go through him. Murray agreed that the supervisor should be the Maintenance Department. Frank explained that Murray has to get approval for any repairs over $500 and needs higher authority. Gary Allard explained that the groomers even have to get authorization before grooming and have to submit a grooming plan a year in advance. The last direction to Rex gave to staff was to hire a private consultant to work with the program. He is hoping to address some of these relationships that make it difficult. Last December the timeframe to groom was widened. With one point of contact (Frank) the communication problem should be resolved. Rex provided inspection reports for 2003/04/05. The repairs needed for this year amount to approximately $5500 and is the county’s responsibility. Dick the groomer was not listed on the funding list. He asked about funding from Title III funds for grooming. Every year the local grooming program has groomed more miles and sent money back to the state. Commissioner Hover stated that there needs to be flexibility as to when and how the grooming takes place. The county will deliver the groomer and Tucker will fix it. The Snowmobile Grooming Program will continue through Public Works.