Commissioners authorize letters and resolutions, approve payroll and designate Economic Alliance as county ADO

Okanogan County commissioners voted on a set of administrative and policy actions at their regularly scheduled meeting, approving a letter of support for regional air support funding, directing staff to draft a resolution to change how court improvement monies are handled, confirming vendor and payroll payments and redesignating the local Economic Alliance as the county’s associate development organization (ADO).

Votes at a glance

- Air support funding letter: The board authorized a letter of support for sheriff‑led requests to the state legislature seeking recurring funding for regional air support (helicopter search‑and‑rescue and night‑vision capability). Motion to authorize letter: moved and seconded; vote recorded as unanimous (Aye). The sheriff and other law‑enforcement partners had briefed commissioners and provided draft language earlier in the meeting.

- Trial court improvement fund: Commissioners directed the clerk of the board to draft a resolution repealing a 2016 directive (Resolution 11‑2016) and return to the earlier practice of depositing trial court improvement receipts directly into Fund 195 rather than routing them through Current Expense for a year‑end transfer. Motion and second: carried by voice vote (Aye unanimously). Treasurer and auditor staff presented background showing the change would remove an extra accounting step and align the fund with current receipts reporting.

- County vouchers and payroll: The board approved vouchers and payroll in the total amount of $1,607,767.29. Motion and second: approved by voice vote (Aye unanimous).

- Associate development organization (ADO) designation: The board re‑designated the Economic Alliance as the county’s ADO for the two‑year Commerce allocation process. Motion and second: approved by voice vote (Aye unanimous). One commissioner who serves on the ADO board confirmed the matter created no change to county funding and abstention was not required; commissioners discussed common practice to note recusals when a direct county grant or payment is involved.

Other procedural approvals

- The board authorized the chair to sign the Public Disclosure Commission form required for the treasurer’s annual report, and acknowledged receipt of the treasurer’s report and refund list for 2024.

Context and next steps

Commissioners said they will finalize and send the sheriff’s support letter to state legislators as requested; sheriff’s office staff indicated they would follow up with draft text and a preferred recipient list. The resolution to change how trial court improvement dollars are handled will be drafted and returned for formal adoption at a future meeting after county legal and finance staff confirm language. The Economic Alliance ADO designation is a routine biennial administrative action that maintains the county’s participation in the state ADO program.

The meeting packet, motion language, and supporting documents were presented on the record; board approvals were made by motion and recorded as unanimous voice votes unless otherwise noted.