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.
05.12.2025 Mon AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
· Sheriff/Morgue building update – Work continuing on schedule. Funds for communications upgrade are in progress and work will commence this year.
· Planning Dept update: new county code chapter 19 (on compliance); public information meeting scheduled for May 21st at the Winthrop Barn to talk about the planning and permitting process; BOCC approves changing new compliance officer position to part-time so that current employee can finish college degree; discussion about upcoming workshop facilitated by State and Sheilah Kennedy Delfeld.
· Fairgrounds update: Well drilling has begun, having trouble finding useable water- will continue punching holes;
· Maintenance Dept update: met with mechanical engineer who pointed out several potential issues with the geothermal heating system in jail; ceremony for new cornerstone at courthouse; status of lease on a building – need to get started on maintenance.
· Report on homeless housing plan from East/West Design : Final report will be provided later this summer. Review indicates that there are several challenges in our county, BOCC is looking for answers. Homeless point in time count increased dramatically between 2020 and 2024.