[{"_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",6189726,"mediaKeyId","5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d","parentId",5055224,"title","Commissioners direct staff to pare nonprofit grant paperwork to legal minimum, seek quick review amid concerns about withheld funds and layoffs","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",2247985,"endMs",2515825,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d&start=2247&end=2515","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d/thumbnail_2247985.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189726/Mason-County/Washington/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-pare-nonprofit-grant-paperwork-to-legal-minimum-seek-quick-review-amid-concerns-about-withheld-funds-and-layoffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189726-4cf14515e824f8442d53de64c287a756/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951626&Signature=T29KejzI8kwxCYQ5QHEZrlsKddbpAO4oAQLAcf13R0nA6pZscIyemb5XyCSnFukBbw-ZIStigIPWMTboQtOm2yu~xWE~yPNgUjGekxa6cG~bbZS9w-t3EgYetURcCxNQuTbbXUfNGprf6T8OOpvbm4YIMMJNesGsGsHAv6JsRuXb0R8b3KX7VEsKG34LmUTNktdWzqk73FP4DG4kDNQVI12mJSIsIjv7CeL27B8Wv6eKeVXmIM~v~knP0CgzxC0tPpB4RKC-IZSL4jIpNlLNFvRGKT0OIN5pnoiPHCdpR49GPqtEh-LyxDHM6E2GpayVyAKfY-QbcxdBNItKeOaWeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mason County, WA","date","2025-06-24T07:17:21Z","article","Three Mason County commissioners on June 23 instructed staff to prepare a pared-down version of the county’s nonprofit funding and grant-administration materials — trimming nonmandatory requirements to those required by law — and to return a comparison of other counties’ handbooks and a proposed reduced packet at a future briefing, with a requested timeframe of roughly two weeks.

Commissioners expressed concerns raised by local nonprofits during recent rounds of grant administration: organizations told commissioners they had not seen contracts in advance, could not take documents to their boards for approval and in some cases felt county guidance had effectively directed nonprofit boards rather than advising them. Commissioners said some funds had been withheld in past cycles and that past procedures had led to operational strain in the sector.

One commissioner asked that county legal counsel review the proposed pared-down materials before they are finalized. \"I would like to make sure that Tim reviews it and make sure that it's ...\" the commissioner said, asking staff to confirm legal review before implementation. Another commissioner asked for a side-by-side comparison showing the relative scope of Mason County’s application and payment workbook compared with Kitsap County and others; a county staff member said Mason County’s workbook was much thicker than Kitsap’s and other counties.

Commissioners also discussed broader contract decisions tied to homeless-services contracting and noted concern about prior staff layoffs tied to the contracting process. A commissioner said six positions had been identified for layoff in prior communications and asked staff to consider implementation risks before changing funding decisions. Commissioners asked staff to bring the pared-back materials and the legal review to the next briefing and to proceed only if the attorney and staff conclude there are no outstanding legal or fiscal liabilities.

No final funding decisions were made during the briefing; the commission’s direction was procedural: staff were told to prepare the reduced materials, provide comparisons and return with legal input on liabilities and process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mason County Commission Briefings June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Three Mason County commissioners on June 23 instructed staff to prepare a pared-down version of the county’s nonprofit funding and grant-administration materials — trimming nonmandatory requirements to those required by law — and to return a comparison of other counties’ handbooks and a proposed reduced packet at a future briefing, with a requested timeframe of roughly two weeks.","taxTitle","Mason County, Washington","taxId",56702,"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},6189731,"County to issue RFPs for tourism director and attraction services for 2026–27",77,442970,520620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d&start=442&end=520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d/thumbnail_442970.jpg","/articles/6189731/Mason-County/Washington/County-to-issue-RFPs-for-tourism-director-and-attraction-services-for-202627","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189731-c527c0fa0396a13cda4744fcec5244ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951626&Signature=jTJrgN2NNsTujg36SK8LRweXqj5~YW92TbPtqanez9sNiWlv81FGD4vBCEAAFyi5gTSoZpNC8eXvoDgz5OQTwWuRXbOuCTM~hulRCO5CJNX0u8QSQwE1wwqHigm9nVgS~6naclcxaPqpTNfI6qs5GrrFwMPZjfMPqH63PLo4V-GwgfqlR01sTxBA2Now5vXM5u3v7CFm6~NKR594MWpHt-mW-AM7UNrq5-Ymx82Vth97Mj84-Qq07xB0Xvcxugm0osp-bTHd78ebBs2QhuiohSQ~l88SDLWANqcxDa-kJ5L47HYgPto0Dj~GNQ1pUaY9nGi9aZ03cpO762tiVIbXJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mason County staff on June 23 asked commissioners to move forward with draft request-for-proposals to recruit a director of tourism development for 2026–27 and to solicit proposals for services that support tourism and cultural attractions in the county for 2026.

A county representative said the RFP language had been discussed previously and requested the commission’s approval to proceed; commissioners asked that the timeline be adjusted where possible so the county would not have to change previously set dates and that the item be placed on the next available action agenda if feasible.

One commissioner referenced state law (RCW) as part of the procurement framework and staff confirmed they would follow applicable statutes and bring final RFPs back to the commission for action and distribution.

No formal action on awarding or contracting took place at the briefing; staff sought direction to finalize the documents and proceed with the RFP process according to the RCW requirements and the commission’s timetable.","Staff returned with draft request-for-proposals (RFPs) to recruit a director of tourism development and to solicit services supporting tourism and cultural attractions in Mason County for 2026 and 2027; commissioners asked for timeline adjustments and final RFPs to come back for action.",{"_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},6189735,"Mason County staff outline changes to burn regulations, urge code update to Chapter 9.48",729,567765,1296965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d&start=567&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d/thumbnail_567765.jpg","/articles/6189735/Mason-County/Washington/Mason-County-staff-outline-changes-to-burn-regulations-urge-code-update-to-Chapter-948","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189735-4c544297b1ec768e39e1ed776764697d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951626&Signature=LnwVdWtzbhQQpaMzoytT6VUJ-va7hE5nbP5JLebzxhS1KEWgbkRh9brGbQctDKQ-0oLuICDM~ymg4KNe8P~s-JlQP4ErA-8Fo1T8tuuelCx8Cw0cX02roAAlCAMqbwEMqloY5DUvUG7NpFZk4nAG7~6M0qeMZnZ0UXvSufkAqxfrKMXphhOib1irDb7vHeK9pcm8olNcB4mJ3pK~gFo3FWFy8wd~PPcQfFy32PkeVZwSfPpeALkA-BXbVyYhGNH1Kfa3lB0-awXkp2U~am7Ly7ILUbPuLuV9i~pcQXnIdcJ~yETpAt01x66NC7cvBcCBax~2WHKYCWxNFqFtAWCAdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county staff member reviewing Mason County’s burn regulation practice told commissioners June 23 that the county’s rules are inconsistent with other jurisdictions and that staff plan to propose updates to county code, including changes to chapter 9.48 to clarify permitting, enforcement and remedies for escaped burns.

The presenter — described in the briefing as a county burn/fire-code staff member — said Mason County is unique in the state for an MOU with ORCA that delegates land-clearing permitting, and staff adopted a National Fire Danger Rating System–based policy in 2022 that ties burn restrictions to the county’s fire-danger signs and policy table.

The presenter summarized steps already in use to improve enforcement: a process by which fire departments’ incident reports are submitted to Environmental Health and can serve as affidavits enabling environmental health to cite illegal burning without having to witness it directly; the county has used that process twice, and one case was challenged in court and environmental health prevailed, the presenter said.

Looking ahead, staff recommended several possible changes to county code and practice: add an explicit ability to revoke land-clearing burn privileges for egregious violations; allow the county to recoup suppression or escape-control costs when permitted burns get away; and consider having local fire districts perform inspections tied to land-clearing permits because fire districts are typically first responders and develop site familiarity.

\"One of the things I would recommend including ... would be just like there's a ceremonial provision which exempts religious ceremonies,\" the presenter said, adding the draft could also clarify exemptions such as flag retirements. The presenter also said the county currently sends weekly permit lists to fire districts to improve coordination.

No formal code change was adopted at the briefing; the presenter said they are drafting revisions to chapter 9.48 and will bring suggested language back to the commission for review.

The briefing also noted practical constraints: the presenter described being a part-time employee and said staff have been \"creative\" in coordinating enforcement with Environmental Health and fire districts; commissioners asked for a follow-up and the presenter said they will bring a draft code update forward.","County staff reviewed current burn rules, described an MOU that makes Mason County an outlier in regulating land-clearing burn permits, and proposed updates to chapter 9.48 including revocation authority, cost recovery for escaped burns and possible fire-district inspections.",{"_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},6189740,"Mason County staff seek permission to apply for state noxious-weed eradication grant",68,13040,81355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d&start=13&end=81","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d/thumbnail_13040.jpg","/articles/6189740/Mason-County/Washington/Mason-County-staff-seek-permission-to-apply-for-state-noxious-weed-eradication-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189740-a10119d7f77c8a8585d2be9f3af57870/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951626&Signature=cUIZiGIIvQyH5vxP8HvfK5BXK75CitMf~FQt7ua24BV0nzBaA7KuqtPQDGLwz4Nt~SY-0EEPVtY~OhikGJRMmL5ym2sPGWZVU9SX6Xh8iF4Z1XCBLPXUz6pbNoC-51o8RgMNb2GJkA8omayW4Xd6OzVhjgAbw7ksuCIP9yi74nomvEC0pa3PIhEGD95kjRjfJOwEylMj2Sje4OPtUVIYY~PWyRA5UJfNab5sFZBGx-ideHu-mb5Zuku6eanRmpyhRLFZjZ4gxApbes8bndQrmXn8WhoYasMsf7dXy2shUTsQ~CVOjonxISM3ZTYwBT5PMET6qtKWdQGpU~TRDa1UgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mason County staff told commissioners June 23 they plan to apply to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board’s Class A and B designated noxious weed eradication program to continue control work on giant hogweed, lesser celandine and perennial pepperweed and asked for approval to put the application on the June 24 action agenda for the board’s consideration.

The proposal would seek up to $5,000 for the county’s 2026 budget year to assist an extra-help noxious weed specialist and support manual and other control measures in Mason County, staff said.

The county presenter, identified in the briefing as a WSU Extension representative and noxious-weed program staff member, said giant hogweed is a Class A plant that requires eradication and that lesser celandine and perennial pepperweed are Class B designates that require control. The presenter said the funding request is time-sensitive and must be approved by the board quickly to meet application deadlines.

Commissioners who spoke during the briefing expressed support for the application and for the county’s control work at local sites such as Belfair State Park, where staff said manual removal has allowed native plants to begin revegetating. \"If you go to Belfair State Park, we are making really good progress at that site,\" the presenter said.

Staff noted the $5,000 figure is the maximum allowable award and that the county expected competition for the grant; the presenter said they would be \"shocked\" to receive the full amount.

No formal vote or motion was recorded during the briefing; the presenter’s requested action was that commissioners approve placing the funding request on the June 24 action agenda so the board can make a final decision during its action meeting.

The application material and the county’s 2024 report on prior funding for perennial pepperweed control were provided to commissioners as attachments ahead of the request, staff said.","County staff asked commissioners to place a request on the June 24 action agenda to authorize submission of a grant application to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board to fund control of giant hogweed, lesser celandine and perennial pepperweed, with a maximum award of $5,000 for the 2026 budget year.",{"_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},6189721,"County to return corrected GRAMA repayment of $3,764.64 for Shelton Shallow Valley Road culvert project",52,1980065,2032365,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d&start=1980&end=2032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5055224-2bc44f03bc48024adfd4e5fc63cae56d/thumbnail_1980065.jpg","/articles/6189721/Mason-County/Washington/County-to-return-corrected-GRAMA-repayment-of-376464-for-Shelton-Shallow-Valley-Road-culvert-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189721-d09a5be362c48c719179780bd602ab9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951626&Signature=SCsSqhtUug7yuiBfUtH38Vikp0h8CSabkDQqi2G9NqhLdPlXrbKUIF9PU7El6gUshCgIX8keU6okHxKCJI4j4IBogvUoWNiokrqj7EMgIvd4fZC39DhEVDeWCCsty75KBcUhgRNWiv~fVdgtvEGKQXGEN8b91lYhTjAVgnUO8dni1lW~4DBRePwI3WUEe4qavzzdWXumktmqZYIDeNoyZYpX9rb2qLZSdG2ectYrF5gzKyRdv5-Yg8poPRtTDeDwVsIuimzbJFfn5HfSokr2ATxeZWlhhR88-PeiTM~HrmvwVenBlvA-L-GAxsyInsFIPVLSsGj094LzlgAzGzcm7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told commissioners June 23 that an earlier repayment amount for GRAMA funding associated with CRP 2042 (Shelton Shallow Valley Road culvert project, Milepost 1.94–2.06) had been calculated incorrectly and that the corrected repayment amount is $3,764.64.

Staff asked the commission to recommend the chair sign a letter to the scribe board returning the corrected repayment. The presenter described the correction as a clerical error and said returning funds demonstrates financial responsibility.

No roll-call vote was recorded in the briefing notes; staff requested authority to prepare the letter for the chair’s signature and to return any required documentation to the funding agency.","Staff notified commissioners that a repayment to the scribe board for CRP 2042 (Shelton Shallow Valley Road culvert project) required correction; the corrected repayment amount is $3,764.64 and staff requested authorization for the chair to sign the letter returning funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners direct staff to pare nonprofit grant paperwork to legal minimum, seek quick review amid concerns about withheld funds and layoffs

County to issue RFPs for tourism director and attraction services for 2026–27

Mason County staff outline changes to burn regulations, urge code update to Chapter 9.48

Mason County staff seek permission to apply for state noxious-weed eradication grant

County to return corrected GRAMA repayment of $3,764.64 for Shelton Shallow Valley Road culvert project