VSP contract a go for 2021-23

POMEROY–The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) signed a bi-annual Voluntary Stewardship Program contract for 2021-2023 at their meeting on June 14. Contract K2210 between Garfield County and the Washington State Conservation Commission will provide $50,000 to producers and $35,000 for program management.

The commissioners also signed a Critical Area Ordinance that was approved by the planning commission on May 17. It is intended to protect areas designated as critical by the planning and zoning board, such as floodplains, wetlands, and others. The ordinance is available on the Garfield County website.

A Request for Proposal from the Garfield County Aging and Disability Center was brought before the commissioners by Information Specialist Rachel Anderson. The request for proposal is for a contract with Aging and Long Term Care for Anderson’s position. ALTC provides $70,000 dollars a year for the Aging and Disability Center in Pomeroy and this proposal declares Garfield County’s intent to continue the center, a necessary part of continuing the contract. The BOCC approved the request. The contract will come before the board at a later meeting.

The commissioners discussed safety concerns on the ATV trail in the Umatilla National Forest and what steps they could take to improve conditions. Increasing traffic in the mountains has caused several community members to request action. The commissioners are planning a meeting with United States Forest Service officials to address the concerns. Date and time for the meeting have not been announced.

The BOCC also discussed how a recently passed payroll tax for long term care insurance will affect Garfield County employees. Commissioner Jim Nelson expressed his concern at the poor coverage provided. Opting out of the tax is allowed if an individual can show long term care insurance through another source, and the commissioners discussed possible ways of facilitating such coverage for the county employees. Commissioner Justin Dixon has contacted the health insurance provider for Garfield County and hopes to have long term care rates to discuss at the next commissioners meeting.