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.
07.28.2026 Tues AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
Mike Worden, Sheriff’s Department, discusses the purchase of 14 sensors for the booking and holding areas of the jail. The sensors were discussed in a previous BOCC meeting. The cost would be $95,000 plus tax.
Tim Meadows, Maintenance Supervisor discusses the repair or replacement of a radiator in the jail. It may cost up to $50,000. Also, the elevator needs work that could cost $20,000 to $30,000.
Pete Palmer, Planning Director, commends Maurice Goodall, Emergency Management, for his help keeping Palmer and her neighbors informed during the recent fires near her home.
The commissioners and Nick Bates discuss moving the small arena at the fairgrounds to the south end of the horse barn. It would allow more opportunities for kids’ activities during the fair, but the move would come at a price. They also discuss the possible situation if the Fair is scheduled to begin while the fairgrounds are still being used as a fire camp. Last week, there were 300 people encamped there, and the number was expected to rise this week.
James Mathews of Swanson Mill Road tells the commissioners that the road is in very poor shape and people who live along it consider it unsafe. The commissioners will ask Josh Thomson, County Engineer, to look at the road. The county may rethink its policy of not applying soil stabilizers to some gravel roads.
Commissioner Neal says he wants to clarify how the commissioners’ wages are set. Per Resolution 18-2020, adopted by the commissioners in February 10, 2020, they earn 40% of what Superior Court Judges receive, and the Judges’ wages are set by the state’s Salary Commission. Also, any change in their salaries wouldn’t take affect until a commissioner’s term was completed.
Josh Thomson, County Engineer, says chip sealing for the year is almost completed. Next, his crews will begin re-grading some gravel roads. He’ll look at Swanson Mill Rd. and see what might be done.
Meeting adjourned at 11:46.