2020 Census could bring $2000 per person to County

POMEROY-At the recent Garfield County Commissioners meeting on November 18, representatives of the 2020 Census for the United States Census Bureau, Terry Nealey and Juan Sanchez, visited with the commissioners to discuss the importance of getting every citizen in the County to participate. Sanchez is in charge of the activities of the 2020 Census for Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield Counties. Nealey stated that there is $2,000 per person in federal funding available for rural counties, but to access the maximum amount of funding, each person has to be counted and included in the Census. He asked the commissioners to assist the Census takers in contacting each individual in the county by taking some time to think about how to contact those people who may be a little resistant to participating. The U.S. Census Bureau has made the process easier this year by setting up a website where people can respond to the questionnaire. If the online approach is not successful in reaching some people, there are other ways they can contact them, but the door-to-door approach is usually the last resort. The Census Bureau also has funding for laptop computers that could be used places, such as the library, for people to use to answer the questionnaires.

The actual Census count will begin April 1, 2020. Jack Peasley will be serving as a representative for Garfield County, and wants to be sure we get an accurate and fair representation of our community. As an example of how accurate results affect us was demonstrated when Pomeroy was unable to qualify for block grants this past year, which may be due to incomplete Census reporting.

Sanchez stated that the Census Bureau now has a web page that will post announcements of bureau activities that the public can access, and also offered to personally come to Pomeroy to present to groups in the community about the Census and why it is important.

Garfield County Fair Board representatives Sara Lunsford and Lizbeth Randall, met with the commissioners to discuss the plans to set up a County-Wide Custodian/Maintenance Department for maintaining the fairgrounds, which would include a specific job descriptions and guidelines. The recent resignation of Paula Kessler, who has been responsible for the upkeep of the fairgrounds for many years, prompted the need to reorganize and assign duties to the fairground’s maintenance personnel.

Of primary concern is the proliferation of mice residing in the Dick Brown building and other areas of the fairgrounds. Dave Watko, courthouse maintenance, has temporarily handled some maintenance duties at the fairgrounds which include taking rat poison out to the Dick Brown building. However, Grant Morgan, Garfield County Public Works Manager, explained that a large number of poisoned mice could create a larger problem if they begin to accumulate in the walls. It was recommended to contact a professional exterminator to manage the rodent problem. Morgan acknowledged that the County works with an exterminator and agreed to contact him.

In addition, there is also a problem with a large number of feral cats t at the fairgrounds. There is question who is responsible for feeding and care of these animals. The commissioners have taken it under advisement.

Randall suggested that a check is made on the RV Park at the fairgrounds. There has been an RV parked there for some time without permission as well as unattended utility trailers. The County does not have a storage contract and could be held responsible. Randall also suggested that they display a sign stating that the area may only be used for storage by permission.

Morgan stated that “now is a good opportunity to establish fairground policy. Commissioner Wynne McCabe said that the County needs to establish a county-wide maintenance group, which “we will discuss at the December 9 workshop.” He stated further that the County wants to “hire someone who can take care of things so we don’t have to pay prevailing wages.” Lunsford verified that a Fair Board meeting was planned for the following Tuesday night, November 19, 2019, and that they would be discussing the maintenance issue.

Other items planned to be discussed at the Fair Board meeting included complaints about parking space availability during the fair in September. The board would like to have the spaces striped and include more handicapped spaces. It was suggested that they should mark off a specific loading/unloading zone along side of the Dick Brown building as well. The commissioners were in favor of these suggested changes, and Morgan agreed to research the requirements for handicapped parking signage.

Lunsford asked the commissioners about having a demolition derby for next year’s fair. Commissioner Bob Johnson stated that he would be concerned about damage to the ground where the derby would take place. Lunsford replied that the person in charge of the derby said they would only need an open field for the location. She was more concerned about liability issues. Johnson stated that according to Adam Hodges, Insurance Agent for the County, the risk pool says they should not allow it. Lunsford explained that the derby is run by a travelling company, which has run derbies at other county fairs, such as Columbia County. They would charge the County $1,200 up front and would bring drivers in and take care of all the set up and tear down. The derby would in turn increase ticket sales, which would benefit the County. Lunsford added that a popular addition to the derby is to have a beer garden, but that would be solely the responsibility of the County. Commissioner McCabe stated that the derby company would have to provide their own liability insurance. It was decided that more discussion was needed about this issue, which would take place at the Fair Board meeting the next day.

Roger Pederson and Rachel Anderson, representing Pomeroy Assist, requested a grant from the commissioners to offset $5,216 that the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) is reporting as a deficit in the management account for the County Emergency Housing facility. Pomeroy Assist has been working with BMAC to take over the ownership and management of the housing facility, but the transaction has yet to be finalized. BMAC reported to Pederson that their operational reserve account is overdrawn for that amount, and it is considered an outstanding debt on the property.

The projected budget that Pederson has put together for the housing facility for 2020 looks favorable and does not expect Pomeroy Assist will experience the same amount of expenses that BMAC did in managing it, because of volunteers resulting in no wages to pay. Pederson is eager to complete property transfer and hopes the $5,216 to satisfy the outstanding debt will expedite things. No decision was made at this meeting.

Grant Morgan requested that the 3% raise given to all County employees for 2020, be reduced to 2% for him. He is aware that his wages fall below that of his equals in other counties, but feels satisfied with just the 2% increase. His focus is now on 2020 jobs and recognizes that he has a large load of County projects coming up in the new year.

John Hirsch part time/fulltime quandary still being considered. It is estimated it would add $18,000 annually to an already tight county budget.

The commissioners signed a service agreement with InterMountain ESD for the County’s website service at $750 per year for management of the website, and $75 per hour for any other extra assistance needed.

Mark Heitstuman, WSU Extension Agent, reported that the university is looking to fill the position in Walla Walla County. That person will work some with Columbia and Garfield counties. He also inquired about the repair work needed at the WSU Extension office due to water leaks. He was advised that a plan was developed but waiting to finalize the 2020 budget to find room for the expense of the repairs.

Morgan announced that a date has been set for a public meeting and workshop on the County’s Six-Year Plan, the future of the County-Wide Custodian/Maintenance Department at the courthouse courtroom December 9, 2019 at 1 p.m. He invites representatives from the Fair Board, Garfield County Transportation Authority and County Commissioners to attend.

A public hearing on the Six-Year Plan will also be held December 16, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., as part of the regular weekly County Commissioners meeting.