East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

presenting Pomeroy Assist, met with the Garfield County Commissioners January 13, to request money for the operation of the emergency public housing facility. Since transferring ownership of the property in December from the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC), Pomeroy Assist discovered their 2020 budget leaves only $500 in their operations account. Garfield County has agreed to fund $14,000 yearly to the public housing facility, and the Pomeroy Assist request was asking for the first quarter funding of $3,500 to be paid right away.

The former owners, BMAC, had funding resources that are unknown to Pomeroy Assist, who rely solely on Garfield County at the present time. Anderson explained that they have had to treat for bed bugs, which is expensive, and may have to treat again in the future. Further, the capital funds transferred from BMAC when the property transferred cannot be used for operations. Also, the funds donated to the housing facility by the Shepherd Foundation is earmarked for the purchase of new appliances.

Commissioner Justin Dixon stated that he thought $14,000 per year is a reasonable amount of money. Commissioner McCabe added that the amount requested should cover the expenses sufficiently for the first quarter. The request was approved, and Anderson promised to meet again with the commissioners in March to let them know where they stand financially at that time.

As the appointed Garfield County Risk Pool Manager, through Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP), Adam Hodges met with the commissioners to advise them of an opportunity to apply for a grant through the risk pool’s new Risk Reduction Program. Up to $5,000 is available for the purchase of safety equipment and enhancements. Some suggestions for projects include adding back-up cameras on county vehicles, or equipment for courthouse security. District Court Judge Thomas Cox, who was in attendance at the meeting, suggested that the funds could be used to help with the state-mandated security enhancements for the District Court. Otherwise, the County will have to pay for the enhancements. Hodges gave the commissioners an application to submit.

Dixon reported to the other commissioners that he had a discussion the previous week about the proposed Fairgrounds Maintenance position. Several people have expressed an interest in the position, but they are still trying to determine how to structure the position in terms of duties, and if it will be full-time or part-time. Dixon suggested that one way to structure it would be to make it a full-time position, working side by side with Dave Watko, the courthouse maintenance person, allowing the new person to be fully trained when Watko leaves next spring (2021) as he has expressed. Donna Deal, County Auditor, said she would work up the figures for a full-time maintenance person at $18 per hour, as well as begin working on a job description.

Dixon said he also asked Lizbeth Randall and Dave Watko, who have both been helping with managing the rentals at the fairgrounds and the maintenance, to come up with a plan to take to the Fair Board regarding rental agreements. They do not currently have anything in written form to use. Dixon stated that there is one person currently renting a trailer space who has been there for two years, and a second person is now occupying a space as well. Only one of the two has been using a sewer hook-up, but has two campers hooked up to electricity. The County assumes the liability on water lines and pays for the electricity. There is some concern about the maintenance of water lines during the winter months. Dixon stated that while he doesn’t want to turn down the revenue, the County does not want to be in competition with other RV parks in the area.

Two members of the Library Board for the Denny Ashby Library have resigned, Janess Evanson and Kelly Knebel. Teresa Tom has been nominated to replace Evanson for Position 3, and Maria Dispenza has been nominated to replace Knebel. Both were approved by the commissioners.

The road construction roller bid for $98,000 received from Western States at the last meeting, January 6, 2020, was recommended for approval, contingent upon a physical inspection of the roller, which is currently located in southern Idaho. The commissioners approved the bid with the contingency.