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07/21/23 11 AM: Commissioners Tackle Outreach, Budgets, Unions, Strategy, Training

Commissioners Tackle Outreach, Budgets, Unions, Strategy, Training

County commissioners discussed continuing community outreach meetings with improved promotion, Q2 budget appropriations totaling nearly $2M one-time, UFCW contract ratification advancing, strategic plan nearing completion, and enhancing staff training on OPMA, records, and safety.

Community Outreach Planning

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:03.568–00:09:46.937 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, planning, services

Summary

Commissioner Greg Brotherton led a discussion on recent community outreach meetings at locations like Tri Area Community Center, noting low attendance (2 in-person, 2 online) despite a strong sewer presentation. Participants reviewed past attendance variations, summer timing challenges, promotion strategies including YouTube and newsletters, and topics like sewers, quilcene projects, garden boat ramp, and property taxes. The group agreed to continue scheduled meetings through the year, including Gardner on August 18 and West End, while planning better promotion and focused topics without canceling.

Key Discussion Points

  • Low attendance at recent meetings but value in presentations and conversations; suggest advertising specific topics like sewers in Brinnon and quilcene projects [Commissioner Greg Brotherton].
  • Continue meetings through year, evaluate promotion; consider YouTube videos [Carolyn].
  • Past high attendance at some sites like Gardner in 2019; certain populations engage more [Stacy].
  • Concerns about West End attendance and preparation; view as opportunity for tribal engagement [Apple, Jeff].
  • Shift in information sources post-pandemic; empower communications staff like Wendy for better outreach [Kate].
  • Summer competition and timing issues; past fall meetings had dark driving complaints [Jeff, Greg Brotherton].

Public Comments

  • No public in attendance; public comment period held with none provided.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet notes discussion led by Commissioner Greg Brotherton on evaluating outreach meetings and increasing public engagement; no additional facts or recommendations provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Considered canceling meetings but rejected as disingenuous to communities.
  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Continue all scheduled outreach meetings through the year; focus on promotion and specific topics.
  • Vote: No formal vote; consensus among participants.
  • Next Steps:
  • Hold Gardner meeting on August 18.
  • Promote via newsletters, Nextdoor, Facebook.
  • Evaluate overall program end of year.
  • District 3 to attend upcoming meetings.

Budget Guidance and Appropriations (Q2 Update)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:09:46.937–00:14:33.155 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting

Summary

Finance Manager Judy Shepherd reported on Q2 appropriations approved Monday via Resolution 29-2023, entered into Munis: General Fund one-time expenditures increased to $886,001.05 (mostly medical benefits), other funds $1,000,091.47 one-time and $102,000 ongoing, totaling $1,977,152 one-time and $144,033 ongoing. She outlined 2024-25 biennium budget procedures per Resolution 33, including salary/benefit projections next week, 1.5% increase for non-salary costs, add requests for extras, service agreements via add forms, and alignment with strategic plan priorities.

Key Discussion Points

  • Q2 appropriations higher than usual; Q3 may be lighter [Judy Shepherd].
  • Salary/benefit projections to departments next week; incorporate strategic priorities [Judy Shepherd].
  • 1.5% increase carried forward; adds reviewed separately; transfers comply with policy [Judy Shepherd].
  • One-time expenditures not added to future budgets; only ongoing [Judy Shepherd].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet confirms topic managed by Judy Shepherd covering budget guidance and appropriations; no additional specifics provided.

Financials

  • General Fund one-time: $886,001.05 (mostly county-paid medical benefits).
  • Other funds one-time: $1,000,091.47; ongoing: $102,000.
  • Totals: $1,977,152 one-time; $144,033 ongoing.
  • 2024-25: 1.5% non-salary increase; salary/benefit projections pending.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Appropriations entered; Resolution 33 adopted for 2024-25 procedures.
  • Vote: Approved by Board Monday (prior to meeting); no new vote.
  • Next Steps:
  • Distribute salary/benefit projections next week.
  • Budget training on adds/service agreements.
  • No next steps specified.

UFCW Ratification and Collective Bargaining Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:14:33.155–00:21:39.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, contracts

Summary

HR Director Sarah Melancon reported UFCW contract ratified by union July 12; signature pending, then legal/risk review and Board adoption, targeting mid-August. Upcoming August negotiations with Sheriff's Office Admin, Teamsters, Public Works. Elected officials and staff shared positive feedback on early timeline (effective immediately vs. delayed), morale boost, value in post-ratification informational meetings, despite being intentionally out of loop during bargaining.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ratification steps: Union sign, legal review, Board adopt [Sarah Melancon].
  • Three more informational meetings scheduled; praised employee shop stewards [Sarah Melancon].
  • Early settlement aids budgeting; positive staff morale [Jeff, Apple, Shannon, Stacy].
  • Departments avoid direct union discussions [Stacy, Apple].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet notes update by Sarah Melancon on UFCW ratification and bargaining; no terms or details provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Contract ratification process advancing.
  • Vote: Ratified by union July 12; Board adoption pending.
  • Next Steps:
  • Union signature and legal review (mid-August target).
  • August negotiations: Sheriff's Admin, Teamsters, Public Works.
  • Continue informational meetings.

County Strategic Plan Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:39.000–00:33:03.775 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning

Summary

Treasurer Stacy provided update: Consultant revised draft based on steering committee input (Stacy, Apple, Chris Goy, Wendy Davis, Heidi, Mark); minor edits Wednesday; ready for final design including letters, background, infographic, progress reporting, implementation plan by mid-August. Discussion on including all elected signatures for buy-in (consultant resistance noted), measuring core values/ethics, capturing core workload. On track since February start.

Key Discussion Points

  • Draft nearly final; implementation plan mid-August [Stacy].
  • Request all elected signatures for symbolism/buy-in [Apple, Stacy].
  • Measure ethics, efficiency, core values/workload? [Jeff, Stacy].
  • Unique county dynamic noted by consultants [Stacy].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet notes update by Treasurer Stacie Prada on strategic plan status; no specifics provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Proceed to final plan and implementation.
  • Vote: No formal vote.
  • Next Steps:
  • Consultant finalizes by mid-August (letters, infographics, etc.).
  • Board/staff review for changes, including signatures.
  • No next steps specified.

Staff Training and Compliance Discussion (OPMA, Public Records, etc.)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:00:10.632–01:26:48.060 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, operations

Summary

Public Health Director Apple raised restructuring staff training tracking, noting gaps in fire extinguisher (last ~2019), public records, OPMA; sought resources like EJFR, Sheriff's active shooter, MRSC webinars, AG office. HR Sarah outlined tracking matrix for new hires (defensive driving, anti-harassment, OPMA, records), plans for in-house/outreach; Health tracks well. Discussion on county handbook dissemination, quorum issues, Roberts Rules, need for 201-level/culture shift; Prosecutor's Office offered page-by-page review.

Key Discussion Points

  • Gaps: Fire extinguisher, public records, OPMA refresher [Apple].
  • HR tracks mandatory trainings; matrix available [Sarah Melancon].
  • Resources: MRSC/WAOC webinars, AG office, EJFR, Sheriff's active shooter [Barbara, Joe Nole, Sarah].
  • Handbook for boards/commissions underused; resend/video [Kate, Barbara].
  • Culture/consistency needed beyond basics [Heidi, Apple].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No specific supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; consensus to pursue trainings.
  • Vote: No vote.
  • Next Steps:
  • HR (Sarah) coordinate/schedule OPMA/public records (MRSC, AG, Carolyn review).
  • Resend handbook to electeds/directors.
  • Departments contact for active shooter, fire training.
  • No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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