RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OKANOGAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

December 5, 2006

Executive Session – Acquisition - Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss acquisition. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 10:15 AM

Public Hearing – Methow EMS District
Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn as the BOCC and convene as the Methow EMS District. Commissioner Hover noted that no public were present for comment.

Commissioner Lampe moved to adopt resolution # 1-2006 levy rate for the District. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn as the MVEMS and convene as the BOCC. Motion was seconded and carried. Commissioner Lampe moved to authorize the chairman to sign the tax levy. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 – 6. Motion was seconded and carried.

  1. Approve Commissioners’ Proceedings November 27th and 28th, 2006
  2. Authorize Contract for Environmental Consulting Services
  3. Authorize Assignment of Contract and County’s Consent to Assign
  4. Approve Resolution 136-2006 – Noxious Weed Control Assessment Levy 2007
  5. Approve Resolution 137-2006 – Order to Sell Surplus Real
  6. Authorize Methow Valley Communications Board – Re-Appointment – Nancy Dammann

Motion - Voucher Approval - Cmrs.
Vouchers certified and audited by the Auditing Officer as required by RCW 42.24.080 and those expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a list, and made available to the Board. As of this date, the Board did by unanimous vote approve the vouchers in the amount of $515,662.03 and payroll in the amount of $1,362,704.70 warrant numbers 60729 through 60948.

Discussion – Forest Service organization & Potential Fire Salvage
Karen Mull, Shannon O’Brien, Paul Hart, John Newcomb, Bobbie Scopa

Those present explained that the issues to be discussed are some reorganization in the Forest Service and debriefing of the Tripod Fire.

The Forest Service is facing budget cuts and since 2001 the budget has been slowly declining. It is anticipated that the funds would be depleted by 2009. It is the Forest Service’s intent to maintain a proper span of control such as the number of employees that a supervisor oversees as well as maintaining the number of boots on a fire incident. They have reduced the numbers of middle managers and developed divisions made up of multiple rangers districts. Commissioner Hover expressed concern regarding some of the changes and the potential impacts to local fire fighting efforts and safety.

Timber and fuel will hold its own although there will be a noticeable reduction in the recreational areas with a possible reduction in 20-30 areas in the Okanogan/Wenatchee FS. Commissioner Hover expressed concern that some of the changes would affect Okanogan County’s budget as well. He commented that 3 of the 4 lumber mills will be impacted and are all located in central Washington.

Regarding the salvage of Tripod Fire an economic analysis will be done and will include safety and reforestation. There will be an EIS done, as this will be the most defensible. Potential sales for timber would begin by next August.

Some grazing areas that have been impacted by the recent fires may not be reopened to grazing but they are looking at alternatives.