[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-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",[32,75,86,96],{"_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",6077732,"mediaKeyId","2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d","parentId",2963211,"title","Farm equipment on county roads spurs safety proposals and requests for DOT, AG input","audioSeconds",2026,"startMs",2026000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d&start=2026&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077732/Franklin-County/Washington/Farm-equipment-on-county-roads-spurs-safety-proposals-and-requests-for-DOT-AG-input","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077732-2c3f4e7201fc904954326cf118c4556f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444371&Signature=Px0pdnRTzBb95W-xkloz6Qr3SlDJMSYadmnniQ2zdnQYKJxs~BVKej6Nwb5Q~oDGtkzclUBYIGd7H8g-U20KR2Oe8084YeeUDULJkbtiFi~3qMZaSau-e-gVogKodbMEWgY6sADpID~Qxw5Ov8XXliwjn5SjloGlQPYObUxR4zm3H~PT8i3TVnkIwdCvmtp6Y44rjEIdZNZpSbHrgFXt6Atx9d1WOQUYAAX2DF7wCIcJl54CfNCVTLg5Q44LC~53-RwlHyAjvSmb293ceSFESaSfXsnfosssIp9AfjmvyeI-nHjye66vPx-aVLuhia7tCZhc6jbAuqnyPBq4SRuJ3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-04-10T06:37:24Z","article","Public comment on April 9 raised safety concerns about large farm equipment moving on county and state roads, prompting commissioners to discuss possible mitigations including designated pullouts, signage and letters to city and state transportation officials.

Brock Wells, a Franklin County resident who farms near Basin City, told the board he has observed long strings of large farm machinery that are “virtually impossible to pass” safely on narrow rural roads during planting and harvest seasons. Wells suggested creating farm‑machinery pullouts—gravel pads with signage—on roads such as Glade North and Taylor Flats, and the board discussed whether farmers could create pullouts at their own expense where appropriate.

Commissioners and Public Works Director D. Erdman noted RCW 46.61.427 governs slow‑moving vehicles; Erdman said the county has submitted a request to the Washington attorney general and that the AG’s office has accepted the review but provided no timeline for an opinion. The sheriff’s office said deputies will enforce violations when they observe them, while acknowledging enforcement can upset some residents.

Commissioner Baumann asked the administrator to draft an official letter to the City of Pasco asking for repair of the Glade-to-Fourth railroad humpyard area and pothole repairs along the route used by commercial traffic. The board also asked staff to prepare a letter for the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding Highway 17, a narrow rural state route the commissioners called “the most dangerous roadway in the state” in their remarks; commissioners cited repeated near head‑on incidents when drivers attempt to pass slow equipment.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to draft letters to the City of Pasco and to WSDOT and to pursue clarification from the attorney general’s office about enforcement and the slow‑moving vehicle statute; no new ordinance or enforcement policy was adopted at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/09/2025 Franklin County WA Board of County Commissioners Meeting and Workshop session.","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment on April 9 raised safety concerns about large farm equipment moving on county and state roads, prompting commissioners to discuss possible mitigations including designated pullouts, signage and letters to transportation officials.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5109,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077737,"Commissioners approve initiation of CRP 641 to replace two short‑span bridges with culverts",0,2736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d&start=2736&end=2736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d/thumbnail_2736000.jpg","/articles/6077737/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-initiation-of-CRP-641-to-replace-two-shortspan-bridges-with-culverts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077737-36f5d01261331b698e947feafbd9c797/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444371&Signature=lyB8fDOYHcL~LN0x38t24WGrQu8MFQ90ENT918mI7UB1lLV9Rq2TDRjm1BaM~1vCW0H5iUkY5R-EoYjZmVbEqzF-PXdY~~7Ct7gP~k0-HvllFPgbXTd3I7mCgb9phFtJWoO7-oU0mQ2qJLpwoqH2rW5RZtRFhfODEaSDG1n6Bjj8QeZ706qzeidyJfq0FeykDkOQx~CdJR2SMokDcMwKZ0e7dXChAuZIDXk2UuNWSC2KBzHv7yvFsusU6AojohOwqvhC~uUBX751N9ncd3cr9h3lweWx3F89qvGZdz1rJiRftIrGQCsQBRFQFxtCmftevP9N37BGAyWu2jO0TvlPSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners voted April 9 to initiate County Road Project (CRP) 641 to replace two short‑span wooden bridges—Gilbridge and Wilder—in the northeastern portion of the county.

Public Works staffer D. Erdman presented photographs and engineering notes and said the Gilbridge structure will be replaced with a 60‑inch corrugated metal pipe. He said the Wilder Bridge replacement will use an arch pipe, but the final size has not been determined because the site is in a floodplain and requires additional design work.

Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between replacing timber bridges with culverts and retaining bridges on routes that require larger spans because of fluctuating flows and irrigation canals. Erdman said culverts are a “feasible way of replacing a lot of the bridges” where hydraulics and span allow it, but that larger waterways often still require bridge solutions.

A motion to approve resolution 2025‑0118 to initiate CRP 641 passed with aye votes from the three commissioners in attendance.

Ending: Public Works will proceed with design work on Wilder Bridge’s arch pipe sizing and follow county project initiation procedures for CRP 641.","Franklin County commissioners voted to initiate County Road Project 641 to replace two wooden short‑span bridges—Gilbridge and Wilder—with culverts; Gilbridge will use a 60‑inch corrugated metal pipe, Wilder will use an arch pipe sized after floodplain design work.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077741,"Franklin County studies benefit funding after officials say VEBA payouts strained budget",4336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d&start=4336&end=4336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d/thumbnail_4336000.jpg","/articles/6077741/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-studies-benefit-funding-after-officials-say-VEBA-payouts-strained-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077741-1a29c402563dcd78d2aebc846da5b126/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444371&Signature=fqp9FaiZJNMl4QRAE4P4FY9rDOL2ber7Xgz7ymgO25k8Kzo~knHrFyN4WltB6qmbSzO6Rp0jeKT5UeYhkl20Nt4d9CULyD5PRkSVDbRqjtQMmtcUkeKTCo5Y2MQy1g02v7uanKVExziLncTnHRMuoCIRu1-Ebi5hLFlkY1f5rmLEKjwquHDx~UoHg2kD15e4loQU5mq7z1lWp6h~NfZ~7nooRYujZjUbBubon2BVU3-TFiIGE8z92OwucZZLMQCPO64zNQ5e-FnuaGa0J9w-PXY~kgrd7ldWBV2PzSZx8xIWEBTXOMHA5fhnPqmYSHPnjvLoZY0Zgc25MN~R~Y87KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners spent a workshop reviewing the county’s employee benefits funding on April 9, hearing from brokers with AcroSure about how the county’s contribution structure and VEBA/cash-in-lieu payments have driven up health-plan costs.

The county’s benefits consultant, Brooks (AcroSure), told commissioners the county’s defined-contribution approach and large VEBA/cash-in-lieu payments have created incentives for lower‑risk employees to decline enrollment, which can raise premiums for those who remain on the county plan. “Adverse selection is what happens when higher‑risk individuals jump on the plan,” Brooks said during the presentation, describing the mechanics by which rising premiums can feed further withdrawals from the employer plan.

The presentation laid out benchmark data for Washington public employers and compared Franklin County’s per-employee contribution levels to regional averages. Brooks and his colleague Brandon Simon (AcroSure) said the county’s current structure—large fixed dollar contributions and VEBA/cash‑in‑lieu tied to rising premium rates—has increased the county’s outlays and risk. Simon described practical options, saying insurers offer “a sliding scale of funding arrangements” (fully insured, level funded, self‑funded) and that each step away from fully insured moves some financial risk onto the county but also offers opportunities to control claim costs.

Commissioners and the county administrator pressed on near‑term feasibility. Commissioner Baumann and others said the county needs a workable short‑term change to stop ongoing budget harm from what one commissioner called “unconstitutional pay” (cash‑in‑lieu/VEBA arrangements adopted in earlier years). County Administrator Danzel confirmed the county is paying both VEBA and health‑plan premiums that have increased the budget burden and noted July as the practical deadline for any funding changes this year.

The consultants cautioned that an Individual Coverage Reimbursement Arrangement (ICRA) is unlikely to save money for Franklin County employees because individual plans available on the Washington exchange tend to have narrower networks and, for many employees, higher out‑of‑pocket costs than group coverage. Brooks said, in the county’s market, many individual plans have “higher out‑of‑pocket maximums” and may be more expensive for families than the county’s group offerings.

The presentation concluded with consultants recommending that the board (1) revise the contribution model to remove incentives that encourage low‑risk employees to waive coverage in exchange for cash; (2) consider a level‑funded plan with transparency and potential refunds as an interim step; and (3) develop a multi‑year plan if the county moves toward self‑funding. The consultants emphasized that contribution changes should precede any move toward greater county funding risk.

No formal policy change was voted at the workshop. Commissioners asked staff to continue work with brokers and carriers and to return with options and numbers; the county administrator said staff will continue the review toward the July decision deadline.

Ending: The discussion will continue with staff and benefits advisors; consultants and county staff said they will provide more detailed cost models and benchmarks to inform the board’s July decision.","County commissioners and benefits consultants reviewed Franklin County’s health plan funding, concluding the board must change contribution rules that have increased costs tied to VEBA/cash-in-lieu payments; consultants recommended fixes and possible moves to level-funded or self-funded arrangements, with a decision target in July.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077727,"Votes at a glance: Franklin County commissioners approve consent items, courthouse lighting and workshop agenda",2246,101000,2347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d&start=101&end=2347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963211-f75b03bd4b1c7bf0b843c5a82f24ad7d/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6077727/Franklin-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Franklin-County-commissioners-approve-consent-items-courthouse-lighting-and-workshop-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077727-8010c0dce9ba4528e560a745b0eca3bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444371&Signature=dTy3mPBb6zzTcCrtMJ40KWWoF~ipgQYbiIOW0iWUeD8LTzXuzMSphqwocHVoa~vob~RiHabyaEabzfM-KLI0VfCzqaLdYYc0CEgEaTSB1vOoCYqLJRKIbFWh3OOohF8biCUHLCVepbwvpNf3cEZ9qSNGmVHgI-B9ifLszzAPkV26bMwbBpaSG01cS0PUELvFIE3M3EwJweb4B0FyuFF2VrhHZwvghGcEkpWINk0cTU6Bzmqa-AkIzRNLRH18Z9Dos2EtFSi1YgnjHh-TSTvPT~ZpvSg37FTFMdVK0trKiywzoGampUmv8kG61qr198zCCjIFT55KQmdAK5YrtfmOrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners held a regular meeting April 9 and took several routine votes, including approval of the consent agenda, adoption of a courthouse‑lighting resolution for the nation’s 250th birthday, and initiation of County Road Project 641.

Consent agenda: The board voted to approve consent agenda items 1 through 9. A motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Courthouse lighting: The board approved Resolution 2025‑0119 to light the courthouse red, white and blue in recognition of the United States’ 250th birthday; Commissioner discussion praised the facilities director and clerk for arranging the observance.

Workshop agenda: The board approved the workshop agenda and heard a benefits presentation from AcroSure (see separate article). The board also recessed for executive sessions earlier in the meeting to evaluate qualifications of an applicant for employment under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g); no action was taken in executive session.

CRP 641: By a separate vote the board approved initiation of County Road Project 641 (see separate article) to replace Gilbridge and Wilder bridges.

Ending: The commissioners adjourned the meeting and proceeded to the scheduled workshop on employee benefits.","At their April 9 meeting the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda (items 1–9), adopted a resolution to light the courthouse for the United States' 250th celebration, and initiated CRP 641 for bridge replacements; the board recessed twice to executive session during the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Farm equipment on county roads spurs safety proposals and requests for DOT, AG input

Commissioners approve initiation of CRP 641 to replace two short‑span bridges with culverts

Franklin County studies benefit funding after officials say VEBA payouts strained budget

Votes at a glance: Franklin County commissioners approve consent items, courthouse lighting and workshop agenda