Tina Meier is first GCSD Certified Public Safety Executive

POMEROY–Garfield County Sheriff Drew Hyer announced Tina Meier as a Certified Public Safety Executive at the Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) meeting June 21.

Tina Meier has achieved the honor of being the first member of the Garfield County Sheriff's Department to become a Certified Public Safety Executive. Meier received her certification at a training in Florida through the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials.

The BOCC also discussed a payroll tax opt out option from the Washington Counties Insurance Fund. The tax is to create a long-term care insurance fund for Washington State employees, but individuals may opt out if they obtain personal long-term care insurance. The option through WCIF provided universal life–death benefit, with a long-term care rider. Commissioners Jim Nelson and Larry Ledgerwood will attend webinars to learn more about it and to ask questions.

Jessica Nelson, Program Coordinator for Garfield County Health District, and Sarah Meyers of Pomeroy Partners for Healthy Families joined the commissioners to discuss adding a prohibition of electronic smoking devices to the county's no-smoking policy. As the policy currently reads, there is no ban on these forms of smoking. County Prosecutor Matt Newberg is drafting a resolution to update the policy. The Health District has offered signs paid for by the tobacco and marijuana prevention funding they receive from Washington State.

Garfield County Fair Board President Sara Lunsford presented a change in Fair Board bylaws for commissioner approval, which she received. The change dictates that a quorum will be a majority of active board members.

The BOCC accepted Tome Herres' offer of $25,000 for a D6D dozer that has been for sale through Public Works.

The commissioners also held a Garfield County Transportation Authority meeting, where number restriction on the vans was announced to end on June 30. Masks will still be required whether the passenger is vaccinated or not, per federal guidelines.