[{"_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",6254959,"mediaKeyId","3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f","parentId",3168603,"title","Commissioners hold two executive sessions on litigation and assessor matters; no decisions announced","audioSeconds",2229,"startMs",1666000,"endMs",3895000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f&start=1666&end=3895","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f/thumbnail_1666000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6254959/Franklin-County/Washington/Commissioners-hold-two-executive-sessions-on-litigation-and-assessor-matters-no-decisions-announced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254959-ba88a1439af2d58daffd6f96f98d61b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356947&Signature=heYjQe8ddrw8wba8efsSwrMxxn2-426k39lj2qOG~3YxNtJ~aGR11VoRnlQwsKY3EjAaRorSMIYBqUYsAhit4HEXwaup3AeV1h8gnwEATwHHLwkkbVDPDykdUp8AOmK8HWgoIfxgDVtejHXjRxWyoUpXVSwbtqIwp6ZyykD8z2KAfM5OHRdnq~FB3iIvQkAO0ovpJQU~GPujXFBkFf9GqNyfApjv9J6nGM5~Mi7kWMq0g9gWRWPupvp9B9xfXyZIQd7PhhXaB41-v6UPgmAVUa0XIYCfpVp4ndgwZKBMurBAPHU8pt6mIIBmFo8oPSEagJDuxGGQn6whtTIrKuWX3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, WA","date","2025-05-01T05:17:33Z","article","On April 30 the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recessed into two executive sessions citing state law to discuss litigation matters and an assessor-related matter, then returned without making any decisions.

The chair stated the board would go into executive session under the Revised Code of Washington and listed participants: the commissioners, the county administrator, the clerk of the board and other staff. The sessions were announced to begin at about 9:23 a.m. for roughly 30 minutes; county staff later announced the second session had been extended and the board was scheduled to return at 10:10 a.m.

When the public session resumed, the chair said, \"We have come out of the executive session with no decisions being made,\" and adjourned the meeting. Participants named to be present during one or both sessions included the county administrator, the clerk of the board (to keep time), \"Mr. Stantz\" and the assessor (identified as \"John\" in the session-planning discussion), though the transcript indicates John was excluded from parts of the first session and present in the second.

The board cited the Revised Code of Washington in explaining the legal basis for the closed sessions; the meeting record shows the board referenced RCW numbers verbally when calling the sessions but did not state an outcome or further public action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/30/2025 Franklin County, WA Board of County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Franklin County Commissioners recessed into two executive sessions April 30 citing the Revised Code of Washington to discuss litigation and threatened litigation involving the county and the assessor; the board returned and announced no decisions were made.","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},6254964,"Residents, commissioner urge safety fixes on Glade Road and Douglas Fruit intersection after near collisions",294,1325000,1619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f&start=1325&end=1619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f/thumbnail_1325000.jpg","/articles/6254964/Franklin-County/Washington/Residents-commissioner-urge-safety-fixes-on-Glade-Road-and-Douglas-Fruit-intersection-after-near-collisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254964-446458a883c6fd4105c2af25d1367324/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356947&Signature=BM8Vws-o1~T0EgmwfEEhXJW89TKavtTVOqZ4YNQWGHNxB8kTzd1qmLvsHQdMLpBm26lxqBDk87HC4dqlZNa2UtRDPidgNCODjd53o560fGUczORQ1Lp1IVAK92YsEoiBWrowmJh-tE6xkF3XG44do3TrIV~xhXnnv50kQOVk2wvNWJFgiSFkN46ecTlee9D6KAfOuKrQTXo3OWlNuAMWe3Z2FVrJcQb~7mOWW7kRPHY6gwmtrVk4uku4RHmIImsaxr-psQFhX0Pf20EOjNs0EO~GoXJt3GbTUvHJxebRijzTubOS~5mcZ~D7tPalZrD~Wt00Sb9gj07t332vVv3GvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Franklin County commissioner and a resident told the Board of Commissioners April 30 that safety fixes are needed on county roads where heavy farm equipment and commuter traffic have led to near-collisions and long backups.

A commissioner said they had \"almost witnessed two head-on collisions on Glade Road\" and urged the county to install turnouts immediately, warning about the safety risks for residents and younger drivers. \"We need turnouts immediately, and we have got to have safe roadways,\" the commissioner said; they urged farmers to pull off the road to allow long lines of cars to pass.

Resident George Dockstader, who said he lives on South Landing Road, told the board the Douglas Fruit intersection on Taylor Flats experiences severe congestion during peak times and urged coordination with the city to address the hazard. \"That's probably the worst intersection in the whole county,\" Dockstader said, describing repeated near-misses and long waits.

Dockstader urged the county to follow up with the city to determine next steps. Commissioners acknowledged the concern but did not announce specific road projects or funding changes at the meeting.","A commissioner reported near head-on collisions on Glade Road and urged turnouts; resident George Dockstader urged action on the Douglas Fruit intersection and coordination with the city about near-miss traffic and long delays.",{"_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},6254969,"Resident asks commissioners about spray restrictions near planned MIR Ministries ranch for girls",79,686000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f&start=686&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6254969/Franklin-County/Washington/Resident-asks-commissioners-about-spray-restrictions-near-planned-MIR-Ministries-ranch-for-girls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254969-b22a20c2f8092ed439855f968bfe5258/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356947&Signature=KeZFMwzdNgLQRSgpXBxgZqKh9IXTHGEQ9JoIN-oCxQiMML19bT3-QyA85TOs8qAeY4Tym34gswEZHlYDVEpOqJI2yBLeiyPD3iFYHmPKHJQlzvt0lb-AVb8Cew7shZ01rHnOepQ3X5LTgx0tUi93OYY6yxymBIdsYGE3uzjhdZJcplFSI3Sl7rAa0Ka1stqobOga3nDcHW2~ElRwfD6Lsp7-OFGZQeTAXYJqonuR7oByu4DE1IaP129Bxk0IYP5Qm5ckS~SvxvWseCXeWOvD0AxJJzNf5rB5L4HL0YkaYjIaUDQRvn775fTUc1y~vuH~mWp1IkIDfHqsE7bHSsJtTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment April 30, a commenter asked Franklin County commissioners whether the county had a plan to accommodate a planned girls’ ranch while allowing neighboring farmers to continue pesticide spraying.

Ryan Jacobs, who identified himself as a Benton County resident, said MIR Ministries (based in Richland) plans to open a ranch in North Pasco that would house \"20 to 30 girls.\" He asked the commissioners whether county officials have identified a way for the ranch to operate without interfering with nearby farming operations.

\"I get it on one hand that we're gonna have 20 to 30 girls at this ranch... at the same time, all the farmers around it... they can't spray anymore because of how many the population of those girls at that ranch,\" Jacobs said, adding he is working with Representative April Connors to identify options.

Jacobs said he could not recall the exact Revised Code of Washington citation but indicated that state law or regulation may limit spraying near certain sensitive populations. He asked the board to consider whether a solution could be found that protects the girls while allowing farmers to continue their work. The commissioners did not announce a specific plan or policy response during the meeting.

The comment highlights a potential land-use and public-safety accommodation issue between a proposed residential care site and adjacent agricultural operations; any regulatory limits cited by the commenter were not specified at the meeting.","Ryan Jacobs of Benton County asked commissioners April 30 whether the county has a plan to allow MIR Ministries’ planned girls’ ranch in North Pasco to operate while nearby farmers continue spraying, saying he and Representative April Connors are exploring options.",{"_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},6254973,"Resident alleges $2 million shortfall and accuses commissioner during Franklin County public comment",178,494000,672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f&start=494&end=672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f/thumbnail_494000.jpg","/articles/6254973/Franklin-County/Washington/Resident-alleges-2-million-shortfall-and-accuses-commissioner-during-Franklin-County-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254973-a0c5c1840342b8dbaf3a858f4fb216e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356947&Signature=dzJxNpAOO3WvlFMGkAdD0LG~cNQ~WF6IawBCwpklcfVOWrImX4WTPwwtHtXmMZeSi~m5DTNRnpkCpq1cAe-JCduXs8fVEVBFqMPaKU8frzBFbTcWV13LeHsjXzvoZjli2x1SJcQ7pPEh0S2IHpEWzazc6JTHIzNKI3Qvap4y0O0aj3T7~FT5UbOUgDgYT2vJJs9y4rlZbNj4PEGzIpZfP1~-KKpspfYg~cRqQ34P-D-pIwIUuRpGn2XI3vq74suXUNEu3y86dzyMgzXWSJT4MMcUjsdLZrjTg-5yzkdVOMBSrjnvnbKx2NXpglFoe-KwlOVqQCWJ2EBaIYHd0qHx~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Franklin County resident used the meeting’s public-comment period April 30 to raise allegations about county finances and to accuse a sitting commissioner of defaming her.

Lawanda Hatch told the Board of Commissioners she had reviewed an auditor’s blog and \"I know that there's a $2,000,000 shortfall. Evidently, a couple of companies double billed us,\" she said, adding she would post the link on her Facebook page so the public could see it. Hatch identified herself as from Precinct 100.

Hatch also said she had been sued by a commissioner \"by proxy\" and that she won a summary judgment. She accused Commissioner Bauman of spreading false statements about her, saying, \"He's told people he's seen my car at a client's house and told them things about me that were untrue,\" and that those statements damaged her business.

Hatch told the commissioners she wants a fair adjudication of the matter and said she would continue to watch county affairs as a concerned citizen. No county official announced any follow-up action or verification of the claims during the meeting.

The comments were made during the public-comment portion of the meeting and represent claims by the speaker rather than verified findings by county staff.","During public comment April 30, resident Lawanda Hatch told commissioners she found an auditor's blog alleging a $2,000,000 shortfall and accused Commissioner Bauman of spreading false statements about her; she requested due process and said she would publicize the link.",{"_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},6254975,"Franklin County highlights ARPA-funded ambulance delivery and flags budget, software and staffing updates",166,813000,979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f&start=813&end=979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3168603-7dbbaa1690cf78d09cf53807bed3803f/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6254975/Franklin-County/Washington/Franklin-County-highlights-ARPA-funded-ambulance-delivery-and-flags-budget-software-and-staffing-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254975-473a323c4b14f951e6877c409a9c768b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356947&Signature=o02-zURMq7YDxTyxFfqs~sVBkxt071BlWHDGM4DM1cM1XxFULTmlmkzEG12UpSUfPt7QEhQObehmWo~eeoqW6zYgO-2iP4NVedhQeKpYHG9wR~0oB9wvD~plk0TbEy9qdGCB8jFc9HmVJkTzvGDeDk83fHX3i9QRJCQ4E2SKrLnCNfk~3wGLv2HA3RmSokycKHyWcWMfj2tWOb3GoW2LGTFzenxA3DxdssxPxEMYSOnFEKAEJd7lbzZHoSgE0XRExlsuIu7FH9ebOLJwWulS1BR4SWsv3u~UC8lBE7hzIWLRo7x3mYHK1ioUn61aIZdOOmAXr6-cgEoIozrXC3qY8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 30, Franklin County officials reported delivery of the first of three ambulances the county purchased with ARPA funds and described budget and staffing items county leaders said will shape the coming fiscal year.

County Administrator Mr. Danzel told the Board of Commissioners the county allocated approximately $1,500,000 a couple of years ago to buy three ambulances using American Rescue Plan Act funding, and the first vehicle was unveiled at Franklin County Public Hospital District No. 1’s ceremony in Connell. \"It was equipped with [a] power assisted loading system that holds 600 pounds and automatically lowers,\" Mr. Danzel said, noting the device should reduce manual lifting for EMTs and first responders.

The ambulance purchase was presented as one of several operational items the county is tracking ahead of budget planning. \"I think that we need to begin that process already,\" Mr. Danzel said, urging the board to set budget dates soon and monitor sales tax revenues through the summer. He told commissioners that many municipalities across the state are seeing downward revenue trends while expenses continue to rise.

The administrator also reported that several county software subscriptions are approaching renewal and that staff will review those contracts as the state funding year turns over in June–July. He said he had coordinated with HR to finalize the contract for \"Chief Harmon\" and that he would need a little more time on Tri-Cities monitoring before bringing further details to the board.

Commissioner Baumann and Commissioner Mullen spoke in support of the ambulance rollout and thanked hospital district staff for organizing the event. Commissioner Baumann said he had recently met with jail staff and praised Chief Harmon’s leadership during the facility’s transition, noting that staff morale appears high and that the jail leadership team has moved toward decisions on badge and uniform design.

The county also provided a short construction update: the coroner’s new morgue building is nearing the slab pour, with underground plumbing and other below-grade work nearly complete, the administrator said.

No formal board action was taken on these reports during the public session.

Looking ahead, county staff said they will schedule budget dates and return with contract- and renewal-specific recommendations for the board’s consideration.","County Administrator Mr. Danzel told commissioners April 30 that the first of three ambulances purchased with ARPA funds has been delivered; commissioners discussed ongoing budget pressure, upcoming software renewals, coroner facility progress and personnel work on a new jail leadership patch and badge.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners hold two executive sessions on litigation and assessor matters; no decisions announced

Residents, commissioner urge safety fixes on Glade Road and Douglas Fruit intersection after near collisions

Resident asks commissioners about spray restrictions near planned MIR Ministries ranch for girls

Resident alleges $2 million shortfall and accuses commissioner during Franklin County public comment

Franklin County highlights ARPA-funded ambulance delivery and flags budget, software and staffing updates