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Commissioners approve grants, interagency contracts and personnel actions; mediation agreement authorized
Summary
The Walla Walla County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 27 approved several contracts, grant-related actions and personnel measures, including a Department of Commerce climate-grant letter of support, the state GMA periodic-update interagency contract (No. 25-6335-151), an interlocal litter-pickup agreement with the City of Walla Walla, and multiple HR items.
The Walla Walla County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 27 approved several grants, contracts and personnel actions, including a letter of support for a Department of Commerce climate grant, a GMA periodic update interagency contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce, and an interlocal agreement for highway-litter pickup between the City of Walla Walla and the county corrections department.
The board voted 2-0 on multiple agenda items throughout the session. Commissioner Lori Clayton moved, and Chairman Fulmer seconded, most motions recorded on the agenda; votes were recorded as "aye" with no individual roll-call recorded in the transcript.
Votes at a glance
- Authorize chair to execute agreement commencing mediation: motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0).
- Authorize chair to sign letter of support for Department of Commerce Walla Walla County Climate Grant FY2025 (scope and budget attached): motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0). The climate grant application cites a maximum award of $175,000; the draft budget submitted with the letter shows $150,000 proposed and a $25,000 contingency noted in discussion.
- Authorize chair to sign interagency agreement (Contract No. 25-6335-151) for GMA periodic update grant FY2025 with Washington State Department of Commerce: motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0). The contract funds work required for the county's 2026 periodic comprehensive plan update, including land-capacity and commercial/industrial analyses and outreach.
- Approve interlocal agreement between City of Walla Walla and Walla Walla County Corrections Department for highway-litter pickup: motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0). Payment schedule and scope were revised in response to prior commissioner comments.
- Personnel and HR actions: Revised job description approval form for Clerk of the Board/Management Analyst (to align classification with chief-deputy pay scale) approved (motion moved by Commissioner Clayton; seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved 2-0). The board discussed implications of shifting the classification into the chief-deputy scale and noted tradeoffs including statutory ties to elected-official pay scales and limits on county flexibility.
- Proposal 202501-27 HRM: Settlement Agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 839 (corrections) to resolve a grievance dated Dec. 10, 2023: motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0). The board agreed the settlement permits reclassification action tied to the corrected position language.
- Hiring freeze exception: Department of Community Health requested exception to hire a certified medical assistant funded by grant revenue; motion moved by Commissioner Clayton, seconded by Chairman Fulmer; outcome: approved (2-0). Staff advised the hire is grant-funded and will have no impact on the general fund.
- County vouchers, warrants and electronic payments and payroll action forms: approved as listed on the agenda; outcome: approved (2-0).
What the board discussed
Lauren (Community Development) outlined the climate grant scope and a draft $150,000 budget tied to consultant work for the mandatory 2026 periodic update; commissioners asked for a contingency line to be reflected and for clarity on in-house versus contracted tasks. Commissioners also discussed the land-capacity analysis scope for the GMA periodic update and confirmed the project will include both residential and commercial/industrial capacity analyses, with immediate outreach to city partners.
Public-works director Dan Mack updated the board on the Mill Creek Coalition's planning and engineering work, saying recent design estimates place the total upgrade near $14.8 million with a local funding shortfall of roughly $5.19 million; design completion and right-of-way work are expected to precede construction planned for 2026.
Human-resources manager Josh Griffith briefed the board on classification and pay-scale changes and reminded the board that union contracts and manager rights govern promotions; commissioners asked HR to provide numbers on how many position progressions could affect the budget before making broader hiring-freeze policy decisions.
Ending
Diane Harris, Clerk of the Board, was directed to prepare a next-steps memo if the board wishes to pursue placing the Westcom sales-and-use tax proposal on the ballot; commissioners gave staff direction to draft timelines and public-hearing steps but did not yet place the measure on the ballot. Multiple agenda items were approved 2-0 without recorded roll-call votes.
