The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 23, 2006, with, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present. Chairman Don Hover is away on personal business.

Update – Planning
Greg Wilder discussed road repairs to the East Lake Road and stated that it will take about 2 weeks to address needed repairs. Everyone believes that the contractor, except for a few isolated instances, has met the terms and conditions of the contract. Discussion is underway regarding preliminary prep work on the road. Because budgets are currently being prepared these issues need to be resolved. Commissioner Peterson stressed that the road needs to be as repaired to be good or better than it was. Greg will work with others to work out any solutions. It is anticipated that over 50% of the loan will be paid back over the next 5 years.

Public Hearing – Therapeutic Court Sales Tax
Commissioner Lampe opened the hearing and called for comments.

Roger Bauer presented a copy of the proposed resolution stating the authority for the imposition of the tax. The ordinance also provides for the establishment of an oversight committee who would make recommendation on an annual basis. In addition, proposed suggestions on how the funds may be used. The funds could provide for treatment Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Treatment and, hopefully, eventually housing for persons with special needs.

Jack Burchard explained that during the last 4 years the courts have begun to evaluate how offenders are prosecuted. Although Law Enforcement does reduce the demand for drugs, there are many repeat offenders and he notices that these abuses run in families. Several agencies worked together to establish a drug court but funding was not readily available. The courts and OBHC have been able to provide some funding for this pilot program. The Drug Court has been in existence for almost 2 years. There have been 5 graduates of the program, two which will graduate today. There are 20 people are currently in the program who are required to meet with him once a week as well as being tested regularly for signs of substance abuse. The vision is to use the same approach to address families where children have been abused. Often the root cause is drug or alcohol abuse. People who are substance abusers often commit many other types of crimes to support their habits. He asks the Commissioners to increase sales tax 1 tenth of one percent which amounts to ten cents on $100. This is not a pie in the sky idea it is proven. Ira who is scheduled to graduate on Friday from the program gave a testimony as to how the program has benefited him and his family.

Vicki Brigman stated that the program has been a very moving and rewarding experience for her.

Mark Akinson, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, with the Juvenile Department, and works with the ART program. He has seen the success of the program with the adult drug court. Nearly all the pieces for the drug court are in place. For a number of years Okanogan County has been on the governors list as number one for juvenile substance abuse. He has seen the destruction and even the death of some of the kids. Aggression replacement training is also provided. Recidivism has diminished dramatically with a 73% reduction in the felony and 50 % in misdemeanors. He believes this program would bring about quite a bit of success.

Jack Burchard remarked that in our community there is tremendous support through NA and AA but the programs for teens have not been quite as available. There needs to be a qualified counselor to lead those groups.

Roger, stated that the funding would provide therapeutic, and services in settings and formats that cannot be currently done such as in schools.

Charley Freestone, retired school administrator. Two parts of the program would be getting OBHC staff into the schools and he is excited about the housing for disabled. He is very much in support of this tax.

Kathy Ames, stated that her son is autistic and when he started school was considered totally nonverbal. He currently lives with her but through the training he is one the top employees at Walmart.

Anita Mayhew stated that she spent several years as Okanogan County Superior Court Administrator, and when she went to OBHC she didn’t think she would be dealing with the same people but has since realized the that this type of collaboration would accomplish so much.

Gracey with DDD program for 6 years. Some developmental disabled people who are in their 60’s are still living with families. There are two homes currently available and if housing were to become available it would have a tremendous impact on persons with DD.

Dave Edwards, Juvenile Court Commissioner, stated that he never thought things would get worse. However, the problem has gotten worse with a steady progression of disintegration of families. Sometimes they are even dealing with families on the third generation. Juvenile court does not get any easier. Many times; he has to recess court because of being too overwhelmed. It isn’t unusual for a kid to say they would rather stay in juvenile than to go home. He would like to have an opportunity to change direction in our community and change the lives for generations to come.

Jan Manio, Chairman of Board for OBHC, and Administrator for District Court Probation feels that this program would be beneficial. She asked the Commissioners to favorably consider and support the tax because of budget cuts from state and federal levels to keep programs running.

Suzanne Craig, on Board of OBHC, stretches the balance of collaboration. She too has seen the generational dependency.

Roger pointed out that currently there is unprecedented collaboration that should be taken advantage of.

Mike works with special needs housing every day and many are literally dying because they have no where to go. When he was in the ER one day the guy came in and died because he had no where to go. They give presentations and when they ask if anyone has drug or alcohol problems many of the kids raise their hands. Kids are our future.

Greg Switzenburg for Okanogan School District which supports this proposal appreciates the collaboration. They would support a transition house.

Commissioner Lampe closed public comment.

Commissioner Peterson is concerned about how the funds would be spent and appreciates the handout that was provided. This is a great opportunity, in that; the state has allowed local governments to take care of their own. As Commissioners they serve as the Board of Health and also have to deal with the effects of methamphetamine being prepared in homes where children’s meals being cooked. She just wants to do what is best for the children and juveniles. The county has always been independent to take care of our own issues. This is one area that the county has not been very proactive. The children in our county are our future and if we don’t have our kids coming back and raising their families in our county where would we be? Last year the state granted counties the ability to reduce the homelessness in our county. The Commissioners have a duty to do their job to the best of our ability and be accountable on how they do that job. These programs don’t work without funding. She believes the people of the county are in favor of this. She also sits on the RSN (Mental Health Board) and sees many of the effects. The cuts that the state has made create a problem. Thanked Ira for giving his testimony.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve a resolution authorizing a sales and use tax for the purpose of providing new or expanded mental health treatment services and therapeutic courts pursuant to RCW 82.14.460 at the rate of 1 tenth of 1% of the selling price in sales tax or value of the article in the case of a use tax. Commissioner Lampe seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Discussion –Sheriff
Shawn Messinger and a representative of Spillman Software explained the potential for the state to fund new software for the Dispatch and the Sheriff’s Office to track and coordinate with other jurisdictions on criminal activity.

Update – Public Works
Frank Sautell, Bob Breshears, Ella Robbins

Commissioner Peterson noted that she has been receiving complaints on Cape LaBell Road. She noted that Rob McGaughey was going to add additional length of Magnesium Chloride each year which has not been being done. Bob reported on the Omak Creek Bridge progress and stated that the Toroda Creek Road project will go to ad in March. Also discussed was the Public Works rent policy. It was noted that there was a clerical error made on the rent calculations for the Health District so the Commissioners decided to leave the rent as is.

Motion - Consent Agenda
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-8. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – 2007 Budget – Treasurer
Del Shove and Leah McCormick discussed the Treasurer’s 2007 Budget and the 2007 O & M Budget with the Commissioners.