POMEROY- Danika Gwinn, Clinical Director of Quality Behavioral Health (QBH), serving Asotin and Garfield Counties, informed the Garfield County Commissioners that a new law now allows for suspension of gun rights for six months for mental-health patients that must be detained by law enforcement; and if detained for more than 14 days, the right to own firearms is lost forever. Substance abusers may also have gun rights suspended for six months, if detained to detox for three days.

Gwinn gave an update on the services being provided by QBH currently in Pomeroy. They have a mental health provider at the office two days per week, serving about 25 clients. They also have a substance abuse disorder provider, serving about six active clients, that spends about a half-day per week at the Pomeroy office. QBH is having a difficult time getting providers, especially for substance abuse. They are currently working on getting tele-psych services onboard, but will need to use Practice Transformation contract funding to pay the $250 per hour fee.

He also gave an update on some improvements made to the building leased from the County at 856 Main Street, which houses their Pomeroy offices. Gwinn reported that they have gutted and cleaned up the basement and have some items that need to be disposed of or relocated.

They also have repainted the interior, and would like to paint the exterior of the building as well. She requested that a handrail be installed at the basement stairway on the outside at the back of the building to reduce the slipping hazard caused by winter snow and ice.

In addition, the carpet needs replacement, at an estimated cost of a little over $9,000. Gwinn stated that the lease agreement states that the County is responsible for outside maintenance of the building, but is requesting they at least provide a portion of the cost for the new carpet and exterior paint.

Commissioner Justin Dixon stated that depending on the amount of the cost to complete these projects, they may be required to put it out for bid. He suggested that Gwinn talk to Dave Watko, County Maintenance, for a recommendation of who could do the painting and handrail installation, get an estimate, and let them know the results before they make a decision.

The proposed agreement between the County and the Port of Garfield County for the provision of County funds to the Port’s broadband fiber project was the topic of discussion this week. The County has already pledged $100,000 to the Port and the use of the County’s dark fiber access through Noanet, according to Grant Morgan, Garfield County Public Works Director. The County is now asking the Port to extend their fiber to the fairgrounds, which has been determined to be the command center for emergency services in the event of a major emergency.

The grant under which the Port is now working, is to install the broadband system, laying fiber as far east along Highway 12 as MacGregor’s. This is Phase I installation, and to go any further will require an additional grant. Morgan stated that Diana Ruchert, Director of the Port of Garfield County, is going to begin working on getting an additional grant; however, a fact that must be considered is that to extend the fiber network to the fairgrounds all homes along the way must also be added to the fiber network at the same time.

Bringing broadband fiber to the Pomeroy community is a very complex issue, starting with the initial installation of fiber through town by Noanet several years ago.

Noanet was funded by the federal government to lay fiber cables all throughout the state, while offering connections to only a select group of “anchors” in each town. These anchors included institutions such as courthouses, schools, hospitals, emergency services, etc. Any other connections to Noanet’s dark fiber must go through internet service providers (ISPs), who must pay a fee to Noanet for that connection. ISPs may also operate through the Port’s broadband system.

It is extremely important to Garfield County to have the fairgrounds connected to the broadband fiber as soon as possible. The location would serve as a hub in an emergency. Dixon reminded the commissioners that during the School Fire in 2005, the emergency responders were quartered at the fairgrounds, but they had to use internet service at the school. This was not only an inconvenience at the time, but also a hindrance to their operation. Morgan said that Ruchert will attend the Garfield County Commissioners Meeting the following Monday, October 28, 2019, to discuss the issue with them.

John Hirsch, Garfield County Emergency Services Director, reported to the commissioners that he has been awarded an $18,000 grant that will be used to purchase and install a generator, radio tower and one radio repeater at the high school. However, he will be required to supply an environmental impact study as well as a historical building study. Garfield County will be responsible for paying the cost of the installation of the generator as their part of providing matching funds for the grant.

Hirsch also approached the commissioners with the request to be made a part-time Garfield County employee rather than serve as an independent contractor for the County. Commissioner Wynne McCabe commented that the Emergency Services Director has always been a contracted position. Garfield County Auditor, Donna Deal added that to get insurance benefits as a County employee, he would have to work a minimum of 25 hours per week in that position. Commissioner Dixon asked Hirsch if he is willing to put in more hours, to which he replied that he is willing to do so. Sheriff Drew Hyer praised Hirsch for the good job that he has always done and commented that he puts in a lot of time. Dixon asked Hirsch to return and meet with the commissioners again about this request at the November 4, 2019 meeting, to allow time for them to consult with Matt Newburg, Garfield County Prosecutor and legal counsel.

The last order of the day for the commissioners was to discuss and consider the County Employees Group 2020 Proposal. The group has asked for a 2.3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2020. For 2019, the County agreed to an increase of 2.8% for COLA plus a wage increase of 1.2%, for a total increase of 4%. After discussion of the 2020 proposal, the commissioners agreed to respond to the employees group with an offer of a total increase of 3%, which would include a 2% COLA plus a wage increase of 1%.

The next meeting of the Garfield County Commissioners will be Monday, October 29, 2019, at the Garfield County Courthouse, at 9 a.m.