​Okanogan County Watch
Helping Citizens Stay Informed
​Photo Credit: Justin Haug
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meets every Monday and Tuesday at the Commissioner's hearing room at the Virginia Grainger building in Okanogan. Volunteer citizens take notes at most BOCC meetings and post them here.  The volunteer notes are a paraphrasing of what they observe and hear and are not considered part of any official records.  For officially approved minutes of Board of Commissioner meetings,  normally published at a later date, see ​www.okanogancounty.org.

For information on various County boards and commissions, click on the County Boards tab above. 

We have started doing live video on You Tube for occasional presentations and hearings.  They will be saved on our You Tube channel indefinitely and can be viewed any time.  Due to the limited number of people available for this task, we are video taping a limited number of meetings.   The videos may be of regular meetings, presentations and public hearings at BOCC or Advisory Committee meetings such as Planning Commission, Watershed Councils, etc.  If anyone has a request for us to video specific County-related subjects that are addressed in public meetings or hearings, please contact us and we will make an effort to do so.

For links to the most current agendas for the BOCC meeting and the Planning Study Sessions, scroll to the end of the BOCC notes section.
We need video volunteers!  It's easy- all you need is a smart phone or other device that can connect to a WiFi signal.  We'll show you how.  Click on the button below to let us know when you are available and we will contact you.
Link to video and notes for County-related Boards and Commissions - CLICK HERE.

BOCC Notes

Recent BOCC meeting notes are posted below, along with a short summary of what was discussed.  For older notes, click on Archived Notes tab above.  Click here for a list of acronyms and County Personnel.
bocc_notes_11-6-2018.pdf
File Size: 164 kb
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TV District dissolution, Civil Attorney: Land forfeiture hearing, Elmway document with Corps of Engineers, Public records requests, Future Wise asking about Comp. Plan, Exec. Session at 2:00, Public records request, Fair Events: Fair advisory committee, Well driller, Long-term planning, Admin & Fair Grounds Maintenance: Burn piles at Fair, Scrap materials, Waiting for well driller, Planning & Admin: Admin. Assistant, Champerty Shores, Conservation District on implementing VSP, Conservation District over WRIA 49 process, CUP on Pickens Mtn, BOCC Admin Clerk: USFS using BOCC parking lot, Risk Management & HR:, Public Hearing on Homeless Housing Fund 142, Concern over “Rock Church” in Okanogan, Public Hearing for Supplemental Appropriation – Various Funds, Public Hearing – Dual use of Roads – Snowmobiles & Vehicles, Public Works: Engineering - Maintenance & Roads, Public Works reserve, Sinlahekin Rd., Blue Lake outlet culvert, Barkely & MVID Ditch project, Public Works admin building maintenance, Pits for road materials, WATV routes, Organization Chart, Admin & SW - Open Positions, SW Operator/ Mechanic request for temp employee, Finance Div. Assistance, SW Fee Schedule, Apple Maggot, Public Comment: Chris Fisher CF (CCT Fisheries) on Johnson Creek - Concern about how CCT efforts are being depicted. Discrepancy between hearsay and reality in public discussion. 2:02 Executive Session – Pending legal, Pickens Mtn property, Outstanding BOCC Business.
sw_fee_schedule_11-6-18.pdf
File Size: 714 kb
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Solid Waste tipping fee schedule approved by BOCC on 11/6/18.  Fees were recommended by SWAC, and will go into effect 3/1/19.
bocc_notes11-05-18.pdf
File Size: 150 kb
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WRIA 49 Planning Grant; Tunk Watershed Water Availability Study; OCC 17A Nightly Rentals; Tabor quit claim; Comprehensive Plan review.
bocc_notes_10-30-2018.pdf
File Size: 139 kb
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Fair Events: security camera system updated?, update Fair Grounds rental fees, BOCC Admin Clerk: Conservation District carry over 2016 contract funds, Recreational metal detector, Planning & Administrative: Quickly reviews activity, Risks & HR: Appointment to Civil Service Board, Records & Corrections testing, Open Enrollment for Medical Insurance, Miscellaneous, Current Activity, HR & Risk Management Budget Review. Review of BOCC Budget, Public Works: Personal cell phone and public record, Bonaparte Ranches plowing, Engineer: Maintenance & Road, Salmon Creek Rd. Statler Bridge, Admin. & SW: Apple Maggot regulations, Resolution to amend general fee schedule, Conditional Use permit for Central Landfill, Public Health, LTAC Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) (LTAC - Lodging and Tourism Advisory Committee), Noxious Weeds – Budget Review Session, Courthouse Safe Cracking, Supplemental Appropriation for Jail, Supplemental Appropriation for District Court, Consent Agenda, BOCC support for Deer Crossing proposal at Crumbacher.
10/29/18 - BOCC meeting.  Planning Dept Study Session. Video only.  Available on our You Tube Channel.
Study session on Planning Dept. Activities. Click on time stamp below to go directly to that section.
2:30 - WRIA 48 (Methow watershed) closed basins, permit exempt wells. Specific discussion on Wolf Creek, Thompson Creek, Beaver Creek. Discussion includes Dave Hilton (Public Health Dept) and Dan Higbee (Building Dept).
1:03:45 - OCC 16 - Subdivisions, proposed amendment (regarding water)
1:22:20 - Planning dept Staffing update (new Planner 1 hired, opening for Admin Asst)
1:29:00 - Champerty Shores sewer extension
1:29:50 - Comprehensive Plan review (Environmental checklist)
2:14:10 - Schedule for Comp. plan scoping and public outreach
bocc_notes_10-22-2018.pdf
File Size: 145 kb
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Details on postage rental agreement; decision to bypass Planning Commission and interim control re OCC 16, Subdivisions- proposed amendment; Invasive species & assessments, in Lake Manage’t Dist; Champerty Shores: Sewer & water lines, easements, construction, roads, traffic; Parks & Rec Board: future plans; Comprehensive Plan & EIS: Alternatives, schedule, Planning Comm hearing, legal review; WRIA 49: mtg 11/8/18, Update, brief disc.; VSP: brief  update.
bocc_notes_10-15-2018.pdf
File Size: 149 kb
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McKinnney Ridge Planned Development Agreement, Pitney Bowles rental agreement, WRIA 49 membership, Planning Department budget, 
Okanogan County Code 16—Subdivisions (drilling wells in closed basins), Tonasket EMS voucher, Lake Management District, Champerty Shores Sewer Extension, Parks and Recreation Board, Comprehensive Plan update—Commissioners discuss three alternatives Perry Huston has written, along with plans for a Draft EIS leading to the final EIS.
bocc_notes_10-08-18.pdf
File Size: 157 kb
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Nightly rentals, WRIA 49 Watershed Plan, Voluntary Stewardship Program, Lake Management District, Similkameen Trail Culvert, Comprehensive Plan Update
bocc_notes_10-2-2018.pdf
File Size: 156 kb
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Fair Events: Rental rates for RV, Agriplex table condition; Maintenance: Roof caps, vacuum/chipper, County Surplus Sale; Planning: DOE workshop @ Omak library, Cannabis Advisory, WRIA 49 kick off, Wauconda mine - Columbia Carbonate, Osoyoos Eastlake water/sewage, Champerty Shores, Comp Plan; Admin: North East Counties proposed meeting dates, Water Conservancy Board; Misc: Wild horses, SWAC meeting alternates/substitutes; Clerk’s Office: Records Storage Fund, Preservation of Historical documents, Digitizing older records, microfilm access, new employee, Clerk’s Trust Account; Misc: LJ assistant clerk start date, Water Conservancy Board opening, Appointments to various Boards; Public Works: Bid opening for Guard Rail Safety Project; Admin: Open Positions, SWAC Update, Apple Maggot, Jail Trustee Discussion; Engineering, Maintenance & Roads: Salmon Creek Rd, Statler Bridge, County wide bridge inspection, Barkley & MVID Ditch project, Guard Rail Safety Project; Public Comment: None; Misc: Okanogan Irrigation District Conconully Lake, CCT hunters, Hunting & recreation outfitters; Public Hearing: Closing of CDBG Economic Opportunity grant.
October 1 BOCC meeting.  Video only.  Click here for link. 
Note: audio is best heard through headphones on your device. Approximate times for topics are listed below (click on highlighted times to go directly to that part of the video): Meeting with new Methow Valley Ranger, Chris Furr. 02:00 - 09:00 General introduction, background; 09:00 - Smokejumper base; 11:40 - Twisp harvest project; 14:30 - Range permits on USFS land; 16:00 - trail maintenance; 20:00 - ATV use coordination with County; 24:00 - Forest Management Plan; 36:35 - MIssion project; 42:00 - Stewardship contract Planning Dept Budget Work Session 46:30 - VSP implementation, outreach; 1:28:15 - work plan, projects that are on the table (Comp plan, CAO, SMP outreach, airport zoning, etc.); 1:33:30 - Admin fees for grants; 1:53:00 - trail funding, Parks & Rec board; 1:30:00 - WRIA 49 planning group meeting Oct 4th, DOE meeting Oct 3rd.
bocc_notes_9-25-2018.pdf
File Size: 160 kb
File Type: pdf
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Courts update: Jury and Operating expenses, Video interpreter, Odyssey system, Community Truancy Boards, Homeless Youth pilot, Audits, Court of Appeals, Court House security, Old Probation Offices; Fair Events: Straggling contracts, Race Track update; Maintenance: Irrigation,  cleaning up costs; Planning: Cannabis Advisory, New planning position, Finishing Comp. Plan draft, Critical Areas; Risk Management: Organization chart for Public Works , Loan Program for Onsite Septic Systems; Public Works- Admin: Open Positions, Jail Trustees for Landfill, Apple Maggot, SW Disposal Fees, SWAC Membership; PW -Engineering: Maintenance & Roads, Bridge inspections, Probationary Employee Leave; Public Comment: None; Exec Session; BOCC, DG & BR; Dept. Head Quarterly Meeting: Review of Scanning Costs/procedures/features proposal, Budget Work Sessions, Emergency Mgmt; WSU Extension & Weeds Quarterly report, Fairgrounds Facility Fee Waiver request, Planning process improvement meeting by Ruckelshaus Center.
9/24/18 BOCC meeting - Planning session with Perry Huston.  Video only: click here for link.
Water Availability Study Areas; Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District water bank proposal; City/County water usage and sharing; Cannabis Operations, re-convening of advisory committee (Oct 3rd); Champerty Shores sewer extension; Ruckelhaus Center workshop, Growth Mgmt Act issues; WRIA 49 planning unit committee, proposed member list; WRIA 48 closed basins, proposed change to county code regarding water usage.
bocc_notes_9-18-2018.pdf
File Size: 163 kb
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Broadband project in Methow Valley, County/City inspection sharing; Fair Events: Costs, attendance, youth participation, maintenance; Fair Maintenance & Admin: cleanup, grounds, general upkeep; Planning: Cannabis concerns, WRIA 49 meeting, comments from WA DOE; Finance Committee; Auditor; 160 Fund issues, other costs; Treasurer: 2019 budget, BOCC direction, Unfilled positions, TV district delinquent fees, Omak Mountain repeater, Current expenses, ballot  portage; Public Works: Engineering: Roads & Maintenance, Crescent Mountain Fire, Buffalo Lake Rd CCT project, Crofoot Lane, Miscellaneous Issues; Admin & SW: Open Positions, MT Operator Training, Union negotiation, Black Canyon Snow Park, SW Recycle Investigation, SW Tipping Fees & CCT; Public Comment: None; Title III Discussion & Fund Obligation: Two applications, decision next week; Human Resources / Risk Management: Chief Deputy Assessor position, Law Enforcement training on Verbal SWAT, 3 lawsuits, Dispatch fees; Public Hearing – Tunk Basin Water Availability: 2 Public Comments; Consent Agenda, adjourn.
bocc_notes_9-17-18.pdf
File Size: 321 kb
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 Legislative update (lobbyist Jim Potts); Cannabis public hearing - interim controls adopted; County public records request in re water rights impairment; Surplus sale; Lengthy informal discussion among Hover, DeTro, Asumussen, and audience on numerous topics, including recent Quad County (NE Washington Counties) meeting 9/14/18. Video available at  https://vimeo.com/album/5424942, video #1 at 1:16:50. 
bocc_notes_9-10-18.pdf
File Size: 193 kb
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Wolf issues; Interim Water Availability Study Areas: Upper Tunk, Lower Tunk, Tamarack Springs; Cannabis Operations; WRIA 49; Voluntary Stewardship Program; Comprehensive Plan
bocc_notes_9-4-2018.pdf
File Size: 163 kb
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 Fair Events: Report on mechanical issues, update on Fair prep.; Meeting with PUD mgr; Enloe Dam costs & issues; Planning: Similkameen Trail, Hummingbird Short Plat, plat applications, monitoring of A & B System wells, Methow quarry application; Risk Management:Elmer City sewage lift station, WADFW mtg (wolves), Building Inspection services, billing for Criminal Justice & Dispatch, use of tax money, Jail bunks, job description updates; Public Works: Admin & SW: Open Positions, Apple Maggot Status, SWMP Process, Landfill Leachate Pond ;Engineering: Roads update, Twisp City dike issue, Coulee Dam/Elmer City lift station issue; Public Comment: Cannabis buffers, Twisp fire, Emergency Practice, Rumor of mine opening; Sales Tax: Fund 160 with Dennis Rabidou (Juvenile); Misc. Business: Consent Agenda, Vouchers, Fair Vouchers, Auctioneer tied bid, Okanogan County Transport & Nutrition.
For previous minutes from 2018 go to the Archived Notes page.
Commissioners Agenda
To access the most current agenda for BOCC meetings, click ​here.

The BOCC meetings often include Planning Study Sessions conducted by the Director of Planning and Development and Administrative Officer, Perry Huston.  For the most current updates on the Study Session topics, click here to go to the planning department website, then click on the "Study Session" tab at the top of the page.

Our County Commissioners

(Click here to view a map that shows the Okanogan County Districts.)
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Jim DeTro, Chair
Represents District 3 (North Okanogan County)
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Chris Branch, Vice-Chair
Represents District 1 (South Okanogan County)
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Andy Hover
Represents District 2  (West Okanogan County)
The Commissioners hearing room is located at 123 5th Ave, Room 150, Okanogan, WA 98840
Copyright © 2018