Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Transparency Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press commissioners for greater transparency after county grants, contracts and projects draw criticism
Summary
Multiple residents used the May 13 public‑comment period to criticize the county’s vetting, oversight and reporting of grants and contracts, citing the Humane Society contract dispute, Peninsula Behavioral Health funding, and concerns about the Northview apartment project’s budget and past cost overruns.
Several residents at the May 13 Clallam County Board of Commissioners meeting used the public‑comment period to press for clearer financial oversight and accountability for county grants, contracts and large housing projects.
Why it matters: Public trust in how taxpayer funds are allocated and monitored depends on clear reporting of project budgets, contractor performance and outcomes. Commenters described past incidents they said demonstrate gaps in that oversight.
Public comments and examples: Jeff Tozer said he reviewed voucher payments and that the county had a contract with Cascadia Consulting Group related to hazard‑mitigation planning; he also alleged the draft plan favored the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and raised conflict‑of‑interest concerns. Tozer asked why the county “does not have a code of ethics that's enforceable for our elected leaders.”
Tozer also criticized prior county funding to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, saying the board approved $125,000 in late 2023 despite the society’s inability at the time to answer basic operational questions such as cost per kennel. According to the public record at the meeting, county staff explained the contract obligated the Humane Society to maintain space for dangerous or stray animals for county uses and that payments stopped when the provider could no longer accept animals; the board later terminated payments when contract terms were not met.
Another commenter questioned oversight of Peninsula Behavioral Health after the agency received county funds. Tozer said the commission awarded Peninsula Behavioral Health $4 million last year and criticized a slide on the Northview apartment complex that showed a $12,750,000 project for 36 units (about $350,000 per unit), and he cited a previous project, Dawnview, that he said was budgeted at $3.5 million and completed at $4.8 million, a 37% overrun. He urged the commissioners to demand better reporting on budget status and project progress rather than accepting quick slide updates.
Board responses: Commissioners acknowledged the public concerns and clarified certain contract terms during the meeting. One commissioner explained the Humane Society agreement required the organization to hold capacity for county animals and that payments were stopped when the organization could not meet contract terms.
What was not decided: These public concerns were raised during public comment only; the board did not take new contract or policy action on ethics codes or on additional oversight at the May 13 meeting. Commenters asked for follow‑up and clearer transparency in future funding decisions.
