[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115466,"mediaKeyId","2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf","parentId",2738660,"title","Administrator and commissioners clarify $1.4M ‘return’ confusion, push HAPO grant work and CECOM funding review","audioSeconds",729,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",2320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf&start=1591&end=2320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115466/Franklin-County/Washington/Administrator-and-commissioners-clarify-14M-return-confusion-push-HAPO-grant-work-and-CECOM-funding-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115466-4fcd63389d21a075822e4f15d495e269/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190053&Signature=pAE9YwohwcsmaW8ZOSQEDDyB5ebRdOnoUEoqYZyRzeNcLy62waaHd~bddUA8l-4k0HfdTQgdk6GovA3v~Lk04yl7K3T9YQyVxyskUXfmSi~cA32cN-gyIEp~2AM7wvBk-XdMEMJ30w5Nlv5YK3mvZyikYK7N9rsBh~NGY-aDRDjBGZHdBPfTfDmp7KmZKB7tnJYSVIxKZPPtUKgva6Sf-hBO9C1WC9gL0aziUSt1cyR1e72RHupCFN4XMLAB9~rGTNv5dDTzZ-3kfPkXeL6emFiJVCtVxCKXZNNmcdU6L0bG4DpcsG1z~em5gQFZY3D3Y5jL-Lg7S38Xe5TPv54yCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-03-20T07:43:21Z","article","During regular business and commissioner updates Franklin County Administrator Mr. Danzel and multiple commissioners addressed finance, grant and regional‑service items that the board said require prompt staff attention.

$1.4 million clarification

Administrator Mr. Danzel addressed public questions about a reported $1.4 million that had been described in prior sheriff’s office materials. He told the board the figure was a result of revenue forecasting and budget transfers — not an actual cash return to the county. “There is no $1,400,000 that's been returned that we have just sitting here,” Danzel said, adding the difference was a miscalculation of forecasted revenue combined with transfers from contingency and reserve funds. He used a prepay example to explain that the budget forecast does not equate to cash on hand and said the county does not have an extra $1.4 million available to spend.

HAPO grant and arena HVAC

Danzel and commissioners briefed the board on an active Department of Commerce grant round for an HVAC project at the HAPO Center. Danzel said the county is pursuing roughly a $3 million grant for arena‑side HVAC work and urged staff to prioritize paperwork and responses to meet grant deadlines.

CECOM task force funding review

Commissioner Baumann reported on CECOM (the regional emergency communications/911 service) task‑force work to clarify a long‑confusing payment structure among owner agencies and users. Baumann said jurisdictions, including Benton and Franklin counties and cities, are wrestling with how to allocate costs fairly among owner agencies, law and fire users and other occasional users; she described multiple possible classes (owners, law, fire, user agencies) and said experts and auditor staff are working on proportional methods and exceptions so that smaller agencies are not unduly burdened by a strict proportional allocation.

Veterans transit discussion

Commissioner Nolan and others said they are pursuing more use of dial‑a‑ride options through Ben Franklin Transit to help veterans reach medical appointments at the VA in Walla Walla. Nolan said transit staff are exploring options to pick up veterans and transport them to regional VA appointments.

Why it matters: the administrator’s clarification aimed to correct public misunderstanding about county finances; the HAPO grant is time‑sensitive and could bring major capital funding; CECOM funding changes could affect emergency communications budgets for many local districts.

What’s next: staff were asked to prioritize HAPO grant paperwork, continue CECOM task‑force work on funding allocation models and return with data and proposed next steps to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/19/2025 Franklin County WA Board of County Commissioners Meeting and Workshop session.","oneSentenceSummary","County Administrator told commissioners the reported $1.4 million 'return' reflected forecast and budget‑transfer differences — not cash on hand — and urged staff to expedite a $3 million Department of Commerce HVAC grant application; commissioners also reported continued work to reform CECOM funding and explore transit for veterans.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5109,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115471,"Franklin County hears vendor reviews of PEB, pool and self‑funding options; VEBA contributions emerge as central issue",874,566000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf&start=566&end=1440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf/thumbnail_566000.jpg","/articles/6115471/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-hears-vendor-reviews-of-PEB-pool-and-selffunding-options-VEBA-contributions-emerge-as-central-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115471-f447dbd10c84587e11975c3cd460f3bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190053&Signature=CFztsapxkTtiBXtV7xw2d~kq9yaiLmNwUz~vWAoRcKKtGrXjM~yUL0mpEXwaY1v7676k1sE~CQrJP1P03QSFVjSquuUkK6CnOnJC~6Od~l0PUYLABMsBs8QxoSRp2ebGwn-xOOOmXSQ4sbhCgzjxioZagxtbda6SNg4Rr7cap-dIpXBzsdfPl4RadkTlJ9S~3j-2lizwc~zed-B5uxYuVW4WnJ8KZrMNgHdyZI~wW2lxJV24XXb35D9RwowNukV3aEECHPx6ZjNLMIIIAPZhCMvCmnqCwnyj6kkk~q~NC8LsOwbv799JZXesGAMMAOTSfyC4GtkgmHrYmZk7qqc8vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners and staff spent a workshop hearing presentations from two benefits brokers and the administrator of the HRA/VEBA trust on possible changes to the county’s health‑benefit structure, including pooled purchasing, level funding, partial and full self‑funding, and the county’s long‑running HRA/VEBA retiree‑benefit contributions.

Presenters and main points

Alliant (Sean Sicilia and team) reviewed options including the Public Employees Benefits (PEP) pool, Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF), level‑funded programs and full self‑funding. Sicilia said the county’s current fully insured arrangement with Premera appeared competitive compared with published PEP rates and that joining a large PEP would involve tradeoffs in control and transparency. He recommended the county evaluate level‑funded or self‑funded solutions while addressing an outstanding VEBA contribution issue. “You could solve your medical program… but that’s 50% of your problem,” Sicilia said of the VEBA contributions and waiver rates; he urged modeling of VEBA changes alongside any move to self‑funding to avoid unexpected “migration” (waived employees re‑enrolling) that could raise costs.

Gallagher (Tamara Rogers, Greg Goldstein) gave a complementary walkthrough of fully insured, level funded and self‑funded approaches and also recommended detailed modeling of contribution strategies and bargaining‑unit impacts. Gallagher highlighted that the state risk manager requires review for some self‑funded arrangements (they quoted a 90‑day maximum review window) and that level‑funded contracts can serve as a transition to full self‑funding while providing reporting and a potential surplus return to the county.

Rich Dickman, administrator for the HRA/VEBA trust, described how the trust operates: employer‑directed funding, tax‑favored investment and reimbursement, common funding by leave cash‑outs or monthly employer contributions, and an expanded post‑death benefit under IRS guidance. Dickman said the county’s VEBA participants (about 620 accounts in the county data cited in the presentation) had an average account balance in 2024 of $19,217. He noted the trust’s asset‑based administrative fee (about 1% and tiered downward for larger balances) and said sick‑leave cash‑outs remain the most common funding source for VEBA accounts.

Commissioner concerns and next steps

Multiple commissioners said Franklin County’s VEBA contribution level — described in the meeting by a commissioner as about $1,567 per month for affected employees — appears high compared with regional peers and creates a fiscal strain. Commissioners asked for modeling that breaks out contributions, bargaining‑unit differences and projected migration if VEBA contribution levels change. Alliant and Gallagher both recommended building modeling tools to show the financial impact by bargaining unit and to jointly negotiate changes with employee groups to seek “win‑win” outcomes.

County staff and the vendors agreed on several practical steps: request more detailed claims and enrollment data from the carrier/TPA, secure modelled scenarios showing migration and fiscal impact by bargaining unit, confirm timing for any state risk manager approvals (brokers reported a typical maximum of 90 days for full self‑funding approval) and address VEBA changes in coordinated bargaining rather than as unilateral changes.

Why it matters: commissioners are weighing options that could materially change county benefit costs and who bears risk for claims. Vendors said Franklin County’s medical program performance suggests the county may be able to assume some claim risk (via level‑ or self‑funding) but that addressing VEBA contributions and waiver behavior is necessary to realize savings and avoid unexpected cost shifts.

What’s next: the vendors recommended additional modeling and data sharing. Commissioners asked staff to schedule follow‑up workshops and to supply the brokers with the county’s claims and enrollment data so they can return with numeric comparisons and modeled scenarios for negotiating with bargaining units and deciding whether to change brokers or funding approaches.","County commissioners heard two vendor presentations and a VEBA trustee briefing during a benefits workshop; consultants said Franklin County could consider level‑funding or self‑funding but must resolve high VEBA contributions and waiver behavior before changing funding models.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115476,"Commissioners approve chief financial analyst classification and confirm internal promotion in Public Works",274,1205000,1479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf&start=1205&end=1479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6115476/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-chief-financial-analyst-classification-and-confirm-internal-promotion-in-Public-Works","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115476-37eb51abc35bc94357eb040a6b72a5c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190053&Signature=ePH-e3XmuTVuI4gWgGt9uVvegzCpZ0g5pDc~GwuTHeu6LvMNEo3MD1daLKs3LXm1E0HtpfdL3fFB5RLRGnp1JAP-XHAbtfI4~IH76PKJmP8TSLFjSgjcy7x-S7fmDFADnOZvWOd~qLhuB0JZD0d~jQn8eJn0vrVowHuBBaSgG6gaUsvQCktJwaGPrX0NzjLO2F9xeSYliXepvvfo3u7O~4ErPj0N6WO3mHmiuGwflsk3uchdSaVEY7rf-bOd~yFRK1kkyN5-aivA4hl4UjgmSG8AbC6ZEbxZ25S~fOr8Z8mhc2ife-Jovy4gD04yQV0wzftbS5DTjF8WnKcCd5cJXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025‑101 to formalize the chief financial analyst position in the Public Works Department and confirm an internal promotion to that role.

Public Works presenter Craig Erdman told commissioners the department first proposed the position in a 2022 organization and staffing report. The earlier board actions approved the organizational chart that included the role, but Erdman said an administrative oversight left the role unclassified in personnel records after the county recruited and placed a candidate in the job. \"This was an internal promotion,\" Erdman said. \"We thought we had gone through the steps but... it was an oversight on my part,\" he told the board.

Erdman said the position is graded at grade 18, consistent with similar duties within the department, and that filling the classification will save the department “approximately $50,000 to $67,000 per year depending on the needs of the department.” County Administrator Mr. Danzel spoke in support, citing the importance of accurate CAMS accounting: \"If we don't get the reporting right on that, we stand to lose our eligibility for some of the rural arterial program funds,\" he said.

Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote. Erdman said the action corrects a procedural error and allows the county to move forward with the promotion with the stated effective date.

Why it matters: the resolution regularizes classification and payroll for a senior finance position in Public Works and, according to staff, helps ensure consistent accounting and future eligibility for transportation funding tied to accurate reporting.

What’s next: the department will continue with the promotion effective on the date specified in personnel paperwork and incorporate the role into the department’s budget and reporting structures.","The board approved a resolution formalizing a chief financial analyst position in Public Works and retroactively confirming the internal promotion after staff discovered the role had not been properly classified following earlier board consent; commissioners said the reclassification will aid budgeting and CAMS reporting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115481,"Two companies submit bids for county HVAC maintenance; Apollo’s bid far lower than competitor",397,801000,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf&start=801&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6115481/Franklin-County/Washington/Two-companies-submit-bids-for-county-HVAC-maintenance-Apollos-bid-far-lower-than-competitor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115481-6f7862d0096f66e9062412ebd2c692af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190053&Signature=CHcIqJheRxn3R50LBWXVWcb-Fcuu3R-2VWk1t9Sus3FuMQon2bhzrRSIDVO~nMD70Ge9nm8NTx56GzIh7TDsQ2zgXHFAqX~8-zEFWEJ3Asge7JEaiMmFGeLgXm4zRqThcDfNS4D3HchpMnexJh~mp0QR7guAlRJ-L2q6LPOcazF93ZGtIJQ8epfW0RLE4VFfnQsGkylGT0K1CyCLmfCyLCE4WQ54cCgCh0XthylNcvIJvmYJncdUG1-M6Dbz19fEoD9LArgure0OBBXIZF9XyG5GVhyK0w9JhOjOsC209wyyhllgkXwErQD52A1WHbVmSeJ0ui-BwEMo8nrLd2uK0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County staff opened sealed bids for a new countywide HVAC maintenance contract set to replace a contract that expires March 31. Jennifer Wagner (presented in the meeting as the procurement lead) announced two responsive bids after a mandatory walkthrough: Apollo Mechanical Contractors and a second bidder identified in the packet as Bruce.

During the public bid opening Wagner and staff searched the submitted envelopes for the completed pricing form. Wagner announced Apollo’s submitted total as $208,113. The second bid, from Bruce (listed in the bid documents and read aloud during the opening), was announced in the meeting record as $1,919,336.25 (as read from the Bruce package). Wagner told the board the documents would be returned to legal/procurement for review.

Wagner noted four companies attended the mandatory walk‑through but only two bids were received. She said procurement will have legal review the bid packages and confirm responsiveness and completeness before recommendation to the board.

What commissioners heard: the board was informed of the number of bidders who attended the mandatory walk‑through, the two bids received and the next step — legal review. There was no formal award or motion at the bid opening; staff said legal will look the bids over and return with recommendations.

Why it matters: a new maintenance contract will cover HVAC services at county properties and the county must complete procurement steps — including responsiveness checks and legal review — before awarding a contract. The two bids show a large spread in proposed pricing; procurement review will confirm whether both bids are responsive and comparable.

What’s next: legal and procurement staff will review the submittals for responsiveness and bring a recommendation to the board at a later meeting.","Franklin County opened sealed bids for a new countywide HVAC maintenance contract that expires March 31. County staff reported two responsive bids: Apollo Mechanical Contractors ($208,113) and a second proposal from 'Bruce' with a higher figure announced in the bid opening. Staff said legal and procurement will review the submissions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115486,"Franklin County commissioners repeal 2024 comp‑plan ordinance to end Growth Management Act litigation",192,573000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf&start=573&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2738660-ab3f672695279092969ab2427c28d3cf/thumbnail_573000.jpg","/articles/6115486/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-commissioners-repeal-2024-compplan-ordinance-to-end-Growth-Management-Act-litigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115486-2e74e1cc6867a5e954234beeb7c9d57f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190053&Signature=jEhOzvYR5VrCtIOSsBL-xKJeZVOrW~yamgscOoQXc-BoFTWiPsP5hUrycJp~jAc3OBbNH4oMkPOM2K35~FFGlKeg~KxcJlKkj4QasE5KdnyZJLbNtkWU9YSdjuOK1nSTlir9ZXpChp~YKMHD-Sp7VewxjS8bIcI5jKsrOIOK3P8R59LK6bYll8Z8WaZEYqqOmRJMjMdjvo7iePLb~Afb2gOMLHtnwaD4BCl9jvP2TwkPRZF8e3D4qaQgrfm0KB806ei1A~PX~tuTT0Hlg8ICHV-UP0CD6sNkjv7Xzbg2h2E7NDwKZHgP9Yh4kSo~X81AP7xN8HBjDuS2qNSvk5F1tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to repeal an ordinance that amended the county comprehensive plan after the ordinance was appealed and stayed by the Growth Management Hearings Board. The board approved the repeal — identified in the meeting as ordinance two‑twenty‑25 — during its regular meeting after a legal presentation from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Briggs.

Briggs told the board the original ordinance, adopted in 2024, amended the comprehensive plan to expand a LAMIRD (local area of more intense rural development). He said the expansion was appealed and the ordinance was stayed, meaning “it’s as if it never happened,” and that the stay arose because of applicable statute and the pending appeal by the attorney general’s office. “This ordinance will effectively repeal that ordinance that’s being challenged. That will effectively terminate that litigation,” Briggs said.

The deputy prosecutor explained that repealing the 2024 ordinance would restore the county to the status quo that existed before the ordinance and bring the county back into compliance with the state Growth Management Act. The board had no substantive questions before a motion to approve the repeal was moved and seconded; the chair called for the vote and commissioners answered “aye.”

The board did not direct further amendments to the comp plan during the meeting; Briggs said the repeal would allow staff to forward the repeal to the attorney general’s office and thereby terminate the litigation.

Votes at a glance: a motion to approve “ordinance two‑twenty‑25” was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote (recorded in the meeting as “aye”). The meeting record does not list a roll‑call tally by name in the transcript excerpt.

Why it matters: county staff said the repeal reverses a 2024 change to LAMIRD boundaries that had been appealed to the Growth Management Hearings Board. Repealing the ordinance ends that litigation and returns the county to the comprehensive‑plan status it had before the 2024 ordinance. Commissioners and legal staff treated the action as a single, discrete legal cleanup rather than a reopened policy debate.

What’s next: Briggs said staff will forward the repeal to the attorney general’s office and that should terminate the litigation pending against the 2024 ordinance. The board did not set a schedule for any replacement comp‑plan actions during the meeting.","County legal staff told commissioners they should repeal a 2024 ordinance that amended the comprehensive plan after it was stayed following an appeal to the Growth Management Hearings Board; commissioners voted to approve the repeal, which county counsel said will terminate the litigation and restore the pre‑ordinance status quo.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Administrator and commissioners clarify $1.4M ‘return’ confusion, push HAPO grant work and CECOM funding review

Franklin County hears vendor reviews of PEB, pool and self‑funding options; VEBA contributions emerge as central issue

Commissioners approve chief financial analyst classification and confirm internal promotion in Public Works

Two companies submit bids for county HVAC maintenance; Apollo’s bid far lower than competitor

Franklin County commissioners repeal 2024 comp‑plan ordinance to end Growth Management Act litigation