The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 5, 2006, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Resolution 103-2006 - Supplemental Appropriation – Public Works
Commissioner Lampe opened the hearing and noted that there were no public present to provide comment. Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 103-2006, supplemental appropriation in the amount of $49,604.50 to be used for the snow grooming program. Motion was seconded and carried.

Update – Economic Alliance
Terry Knapton reported on upcoming meetings and schedules. The grant application for the incubator is being resent.

Commissioner Peterson moved to rescind her motion to amend the contract with Economic Alliance for services, billing and hours from $30,000 to $40,000 and with the extra increase a billing/invoice showing the accountable hours retro to January 1^st, 2006 made on August 15, 2006. Motion was seconded and carried.

A proposed new contract was discussed to provide additional professional services for specific projects. Terry will prepare a scope of work and draft agreement for the Commissioners review. He provided a statistical report regarding the labor economy in Okanogan County. While some jobs were lost as a result of the mill fire there has been an increase in other areas such as the new counseling center. The mill is projected to reopen January 1, 2007.

Discussion – Title III Projects
Trygve Culp explained that the PNTA Title III application was never submitted and remarked that he would like to see the project continued as it provides jobs for the young people in the community and a public trail in the forest. He asked that the commissioners consider providing funding to continue the program from non-allocated Title III Funds and an endorsement to proceed with such a program. Commissioner Peterson stated that she appreciates him taking over the program when Jim Weed left. The Noxious Weed Department started the hand pull crew in the same way and provided jobs as well. He will submit an application with the details.

Motion – Consent Agenda
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-7 with the exception of item #7 pending further clarification. Motion was seconded and carried.

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 $921,653.44 warrant numbers 58061 through 58277 and payroll in the amount of $1,409,842.83 warrant numbers 16459 through 16696 with the except of warrant # 58100.

Discussion – Vehicle Replacement Fund
Bruce Moran & Dawna

Bruce Moran explained that in 1999 the Juvenile Department purchased 4 vehicles outright which became county property. Since the lease program with Public Works is no longer available, and that the county currently uses a Vehicle Replacement Fund, he would like the Juvenile Department to participate in the program. Commissioners asked him to put it on a priority list for 2007. The would begin contributing to the fund and would purchase one car per year beginning in 2008. Dawna Nicholas also noted that the commercial refrigerator has gone out. They would like to purchase a new one out of this year’s budget, and if the budget is short at the end of the year, a supplemental will be needed. Commissioners agreed as long as they don’t go over budget.

Discussion – Deputy Prosecutor’s Salaries
Karl Sloan asked the Commissioners to look at revising the salaries for the prosecutors and Chief Deputies. Preferably, the Chiefs are the most urgent since two of the prosecutors are leaving and a third may leave. Commissioner Peterson asked that they get with Nan Kallunki to find out the pertinent details such as; overall cost, and the correct counties to use as comparables. Commissioner Peterson asked for a listing of the prosecutor’s staff and associated salaries.