These notes were taken by an Okanogan County Watch volunteer. Every attempt is made to be accurate. Notes are verbatim when possible, and otherwise summarized or paraphrased.
Note takers comments or clarifications are in italics. These notes are not the official county record of the meeting. For officially approved minutes, which are normally published at a later time, CLICK HERE.
The time stamps refer to the times on the AV Capture archive of the meeting on this date at the County livestream archive. To locate items in real time, the clock on the wall in the AV Capture screen can be helpful.
02.04.2025 Tues AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
During public comments, Emily Sisson and Pat Leigh ask the commissioners for permission to record the meeting using Fathom, an AI program to help County Watch produce its weekly summaries of BOCC meetings. The commissioners agree to allow recording.
Commissioners Neal and Timm discuss a heat pump installed at Oroville High School which has never worked correctly and doesn’t produce the savings the high school was expecting. This product is similar to what’s being considered by the county for use in the jail.
Zak Kennedy, the county’s lobbyist, updates the commissioners about the beginning of the legislative session. He discusses proposed laws concerning firearms, growth in rural areas, methane emissions from livestock, transgender individuals in jail and increased state funding for indigent defense.
Mike Worden, County Dispatch Center, updates the commissioners about the new mobile and portable radios that are needed in the county. He has money for some of the radios for Fire Districts, EMS Districts and city police departments. They’re also finalizing plans for the radio consoles and hope to have everything in place by May when fire season is expected to begin.
Karen Beatty, Director of Central Services, tells the commissioners she’s signed up for a 30-day free trial of a new software program to manage the county’s computers. She hopes it will be more efficient than the three systems it would replace. However, the new system costs $9,600/year while the combined costs for the three systems is considerably less.
Josh Thomson, Director/County Engineer—Public Works, gives his weekly update:He thinks there will be minimal effect on county roads from the proposed development behind Hank’s Market in Twisp.
Public Works will conduct a speed study on Hwy 7 north of the Tonasket Bridge Rd.
Public Works has plans to change the speed limit on Twin Lakes Rd. near the high school to 35 mph.
Discusses how the proposed changes in the gas tax and a new road use tax will affect the Public Works’ road budget.
Commissioners hold an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)—potential litigation, inviting Esther Milner, Albert Lin and Teddy Chow, all of the Prosecutor’s Office. The original 15 minutes is extended another 10 minutes.
Meeting adjourns for lunch at 12:00.