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Pacific Power announced June 1 that they will be taking precautions during the fire season to help mitigate danger by cutting power during times of high winds or heat.
POMEROY––The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed an announcement from Pacific Power, discussed county issues with Representative Joe Schmick and opened fuel bids at their meeting on July 8.
Pacific Power announced June 1 that they will be taking precautions during the fire season to help mitigate danger by cutting power during times of high winds or heat. Commissioner Justin Dixon stated that if a county resident experiences a power outage, protection from fire may be a reason. "Call Pacific Power," Commissioner Dixon said, "to see if that is the cause."
Representative Schmick (R-9-Colfax) discussed county issues with the commissioners, including daycare regulations and county liability in public record request incidents. Representative Schmick is trying to lower restrictions regarding daycares to a level that is more encouraging for daycares to open, while still protecting the children and parents that would patronize them.
Commissioner Dixon asked for state assistance with funding and instruction to help navigate the startup process. The commissioners also discussed public records requests, which have been used as a 'gotcha scheme' to sue counties. Small counties with limited staff are especially vulnerable to such schemes and several are currently involved in lawsuits carrying a penalty of $75,000.
"Imagine what you could do in a small community with $75,000," Commissioner Jim Nelson stated. Representative Schmick stated that he is working toward a way to keep counties safe from 'gotcha schemes' while still ensuring public access to the records.
The apparent low bidder for supplying fuel for the next fiscal year is Coleman Oil, at $422,444.89. Four Star Supply also bid for the contract. The bids will be reviewed by County Engineer Kevin Poole before the contract is awarded.
In further business, the Commissioners signed a data-sharing agreement with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding sensitive wolf location data from collared wolves. The agreement allows the commissioners to view the data online, but it also limits what they can share. Commissioner Dixon stated that the Tucannon wolf pack now has a collared wolf among its members, and that the pack is traveling into the Peola area. "I'm contacting producers every few days," Dixon stated. Locally there has not been reports of depredation by wolves, but Columbia County, Asotin County, and the Anatone area have been having trouble.
The commissioners also signed Resolution 2024-13, rescinding the intent to vacate the right of way on Dutch Flat Road established by Resolution 2024-12, and approved the purchase of two rollers to be installed on graders and a swamp cooler for the county shop. The cost of the rollers is approximately $94,000 and the swap cooler cost is approximately $5,400. The purchases will be paid for out of the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
