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Board approves ARPA distribution to City of Okanogan and discusses Community Action Omak land O&M funding request
Summary
Commissioners authorized an ARPA payment to the City of Okanogan and discussed a separate Community Action request to use existing county housing funds for taxes, insurance and limited pre‑development work on a 60‑acre Omak site; staff recommended paying only the first‑year costs now and seeking later requests in subsequent budget cycles.
The Board approved an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) distribution request to the City of Okanogan and received a Community Action request tied to the 60‑acre Omak property the county previously helped acquire.
County staff moved and commissioners approved a request to authorize a Chair's signature for ARPA request number 12, disbursing $290,405.50 to the City of Okanogan. The motion passed by voice vote.
Separately, Community Action presented a proposed change to the scope of previously approved county support for operations and maintenance of the Omak parcel. Community Action seeks county affordable housing/homeless funds to pay first‑year taxes and insurance and to fund planning/predevelopment work on the 60‑acre site intended for multifamily housing, childcare and related amenities. Staff reported the proposed expansion of the scope increased the county's commitment beyond the original O&M support; Community Action supplied a year‑by‑year budget showing roughly $61,000 for the first year (taxes/insurance + planning), then declining amounts in subsequent years.
Commissioners expressed concern about multi‑year commitments that complicate budgeting and recordkeeping. Staff recommended authorizing only the first‑year amount now and asking Community Action to return with annual requests for subsequent years so the county can appropriate funds in the correct fiscal period. The Board indicated support for paying the first‑year items and for requiring clear reporting and contracting on the predevelopment and tax/insurance expenses.
Ending: Chair was authorized to sign the ARPA voucher; commissioners asked staff to work with Community Action on a one‑year funding authorization and to return for approval of any follow‑on funding in later budget cycles.
