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.
03.30.2026 Mon AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
The commissioners discuss a candidates’ forum that Commissioner Neal attended in Oroville.
Nick Bates, Fairgrounds Manager, will move ahead with plans to install a new irrigation system at the Fairgrounds. The county has received a grant to help pay for the new system. The commissioners brainstorm ideas for events at the Fairgrounds that would bring in some money.
The commissioners learn that Van Ness Feldman, the law firm they use for land use issues, is raising its’ rates. They decide to continue to use them because they’re familiar with the legal issues the county has, they’re good at what they do, and their rates haven’t risen for three years
Tim Even of the county’s Veterans’ Board updates the commissioners. The county’s Veterans’ Stand Down will be at the Agriplex on April 23.
Meeting adjourned for lunch at 10:52.
At 1:30, the commissioners interview Dave Yarnell (Undersheriff), Jody Barcus (Chief Criminal Deputy) and Michael Blake (owner and lead instructor of Stand Ready Training) for the job of Interim Sheriff. On Tuesday, the commissioners announce that they selected Jody Barcus.