The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 7, 2006, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update -Planning
Nick Christoph explained that there are several projects receiving SRF funding in Okanogan County. Nick presented the Public Participation Plan, Roadmap, and Stakeholder Advisory Group Ground Rules and asked for the Commissioners’ approval.

Motion – Shoreline Master Program - Planning
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the Okanogan Regional Shoreline Master Program Public participation Plan including the Roadmap and the Stakeholder Advisory Group Ground Rules. Motion was seconded and carried.

Ben reported that he spoke with the owner of the motocross track and he will be submitting an application for a conditional use permit.

Public Hearing – Proposed Fire District – Aeneas Valley
Commissioner Hover opened the hearing.

Jim Wheeler thanked the commissioners for hearing the proposed fire district for portions of the Aeneas Valley. He presented each Commissioner with statistical data and background for the area. The proposed district encompasses 18 square miles. Jim noted that no one has filed for the position of fire commissioner and asked the Commissioners to allow for the late filing allowed. A slight modification has been made to the proposed district to remove properties owned by Steven Layn, who does not desire to be in the district. This change is a reduction to the proposed area.

Tim Kenyon agrees that Aeneas Valley needs a fire district. He commented that there was some misinformation being circulated but those issues have been cleared up.

Roger Sanne stated that he feels that the district boundaries have been designed to include all the yes votes and eliminate all the no votes. This, to him, is jury fixing. He stated that the proposed fire district will only be able to put out grass fires and not structural fires. The district wouldn’t be able to respond any faster than currently takes place.

Gordon Smith believes that the district should encompass the entire Aeneas Valley. He doesn’t see how the assessment on the number of properties in the proposal could support a district. The district should go from Tonasket all the way up the valley.

Sharon Zarzycki stated that her property is not in the proposed fire district this time but was previously and was a candidate for the fire commissioner. She said that she was for it then however now she is not in favor of the district. The area has been carved up section by section as people would vote. She pointed out that both Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Kenyon have a vested interest in the creating of a fire district since both would provide (at a cost) their water trucks. She agreed that the whole valley should be included in the district otherwise don’t put the issue on the ballot.

Gordon Hening representing the Fire Chief’s Association stated that they support the district as it would allow for the area to be included in the mutual aid program. In answer to Commissioner Peterson’s question Gordon stated that volunteers can fight structures if they are trained and have the equipment. He stated that in accordance with chapter 52 RCW, there is nothing against rerunning the proposed district with different boundaries and they do not even have to be contiguous. In regard to start up costs the district can buy used from the state surplus and gather donations to support the district along with the assessments. Although it takes 2 years to become fully trained to fight fires, a volunteer can be knowledgeable within 6 months. There are varying degrees of certifications to qualify as a volunteer fire fighter. Once a district is established a rating is given and the State insurance commission has determined that the lower the rating the lower the insurance.

Tim Vugteveen representing DNR stated that they fully support the creation of the fire district. This would open the door to start a process for the people there to become trained and qualified for grant funding. DNR assesses unimproved forest land and not home or garage value. The DNR’s responsibilities are to protect wildfires. If the district is approved it will allow the Chief and the Commissioners to work together during a fire event at a command center. Yesterday there was a structure fire that was threatening forest land. With a unified command center they were able to keep the fire down to 3 acres.

William Taylor is for a fire district to include all of Aeneas Valley. He feels that all homes should be equally protected whether a $10,000 mobile home or a $100,000 home.

Commissioner Hover closed public comment.

Commissioner Peterson stated that during the proposal last year the conflict tore the whole valley apart. She said that she experienced a fire in her own life, and knows the devastation a fire can cause. You need to help one another and protect one another’s valuables and homes. The fire district is whatever the community will make of it. The reality is that the valley is growing and they will find that more protection will become available to those citizens. They need to come together as a community.

Commissioner Peterson asked Heidi Smith if all the time requirements have been met. Heidi replied that they have and that if the Commissioners wish they could continue the hearing for further deliberation.

Resolution 92-2006 – Fire District Ballot Issue - Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to adopt Resolution 92-2006, authorizing the election of the proposed fire district to be put on the ballot excluding the property owned by Steven Layn. Motion was seconded and carried.

 Discussion – Tripod and Spur Fires
Various fire fighting agencies presented an update on the current fires currently being managed in Okanogan County. Commissioner Hover expressed the Board’s appreciation to those present for keeping them and the community informed.

Discussion – Drug Court Funding – Roger Bauer & Judge Burchard
Roger explained a proposal to collect an additional 1/10^th of 1% revenue that would enable the various agencies to work together to help people with drug problems. If the tax is implemented application can be made for future funding in 2008, 2009 for an additional $100,000.

Commissioner Peterson asked where the funds would come from and who would receive the additional funding. Judge Burchard stated that the additional funds are intended to address the Methamphetamine problem. The county’s current sales and use tax is at .076%. The Department of Revenue would need to be notified at least 75 days in advance should the county decide to do this.

Roger stated that the county is currently paying for it in terms of county services. He commented that mental health care is required to implement the "best approach" method and it is very expensive. The training alone is very expensive.

The Commissioners would like a comparison between what these problems are currently costing and a budget detail demonstrating what the money will be used for.

Those present explained that In juvenile drug court there is usually two people; a probation officer and a substance abuse counselor person.

Should the tax be implemented there would be an outreach service throughout the county meeting with the kids as well as providing chemical dependency treatment. The administrative costs would be absorbed by Okanogan County Counseling Services (OCCS). The program would provide services to those not currently being serviced. This is an attempt to blend legal and therapeutic services together. Bruce Moran, Juvenile Administrator, stated that for the past 16 years Okanogan County has the highest rate of chemical dependency in youth than any other county in the state. Bruce said that he sees this proposal as the single most effective method of addressing these problems in the county. The success rate is very good. Jack Burchard explained that these people commit a lot of crimes in the community.

Commissioner Hover asked if this has been presented to the community yet. Commissioner Peterson asked for their vision for special needs housing. Roger stated that there are currently 3 sites where they are housed throughout the county in substandard facilities and that environment promotes continued dependency issues. He would like to create a facility that is staffed with professionals who can assist with the recovery process. Some of the funds could be used to "prime the pump", so to speak, to obtain additional funding for a safe housing project. Once these are established they would be self sustaining.

Those present would like to establish an oversight committee that would look at the tax base funding and how funds would be allocated. If this opportunity is passed up the county will loose.

Commissioner Peterson would like to see a more detailed budget put together. The commissioners agreed that a committee should be established to detail the proposal in a format that could be presented to the public.