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.
06.16.2025 Mon AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
· BOCC discusses rental contract for a building they will be leasing to tenants.
· Public Comment: Angie Chilmonik comments on items that were discussed last week: ice rink proposal for Fairgrounds. She would like more information about the costs involved and where the funds would come from. Concerned about local businesses being asked to support this venture when there is already a great rink in Winthrop; Informs BOCC about the history of the north county bookmobile and why it was cancelled. It was a financial decision based on data that indicated the users were still getting service from the mail order books and the brick and mortar buildings.
· Fairgrounds update: design for new pumphouse structure is underway, waterlines need repair.
· OCSO Update: Construction is on schedule for new morgue/sheriff storage building; upcoming bid openings for radio equipment; team working on grants involving anit-drug efforts and community policing.
· Planning Dept update: GIS dept has submitted suggested code updates regarding 911 addressing; received a $150K grant from Dept of Commerce for periodic review.
· DNR Fire Preparedness update: expecting an above average active fire season; DNR is well funded and staffed; new Commissioner of Public Lands has exceeded expectations; new fire-fighting aircraft will be replacing old equipment; DNR has excellent relationship and communications with county personnel; discussion about DNR approach to forest thinning.
· Housing Coalition Update: funding is still uncertain; some funds got cut, but received unexpected money from other sources; challenges obtaining operational funds vs construction funds; Harvesting Hope (food growing and gleaning program) is going very well – lots of interest; loss of LIHEAP funds (PUD program that provides assistance for energy costs) is causing challenges; funds have been cut for youth programs; OCCAC has put out a community needs survey – results will be published in January. Early results indicate voter support for small sales tax increase to pay for affordable housing.