Cougar sighting? Contact the Sheriff's Office

POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed the cougar threat to Pomeroy, planned a resumption of previous meeting schedule, and approved contracts and resolutions at their meeting on September 18.

Jim McKeirnan approached the board with a cougar attack on one of his sheep, located on Highway 12 just east of Pomeroy, and stated his concern for the safety of children and livestock. He found his ewe Sunday morning with injuries indicating an assault by a cougar and estimated the attack occurred Saturday night. The injuries the animal sustained will require the ewe to be put down.

McKeirnan stated that, while he has lost several head of sheep and llamas over the past several years, his main concern is for the safety of Pomeroy’s kids, including his own grandchildren.

“My daughters-in-law are afraid to let their kids play in the yard,” McKeirnan said, stating that “we need to eliminate the cougars around Pomeroy.”

Commissioners encourage all Pomeroy and Garfield County residents to report cougar sightings near town to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office as a public safety issue, as with enough evidence Sheriff Drew Hyer can declare a public safety hazard and use dogs to chase away the predatory cats. The BOCC also advises to report as close to the incident as possible, especially real-time reports of sightings. They ask residents to report to the Sheriff’s Office before posting to social media, as the report will not be received as quickly otherwise.

The commissioners signed Resolution 2023-18, a supplemental budget allowing for $230,000 of unexpected funds provided from Washington State for the Voluntary Stewardship Program, extra burn permits, and bills from the water and power project at the Garfield County Fairgrounds that were budgeted in 2022 and processed this year. The total amount of funding covered by the supplemental budget is $355,000. Also signed was Resolution 2023-17, amending the salary schedule to allow one position hours to increase to 40 hours a week.

The BOCC also approved a contract with Pacific Office Automation and Vecta for $142,086.82, for equipment and installation of an electronic access system for the Garfield County Courthouse. $92,650 of the funds will come from a rural counties security grant, which includes a 15% match, and the remainder will be from Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds.

Also approved was a yearly agreement with Nez Perce County for juvenile detention services. Juveniles arrested by Garfield County will be detained in Nez Perce County facilities at the cost of $200 per day.

The county commissioner meetings will resume their weekly Monday morning schedule beginning October 2. They went to every other Monday through the summer.