Mason County Housing Authority asks commissioners to guarantee executive director salary as it pursues new low‑income units

Good morning, commissioners. I'm Becky Kronquist, chairperson of Mason County Housing Authority, and this is Chris Kaye, our soon to be board member, George Blush, our long term board member, April might be — she's trying to get on Zoom. (Becky Kronquist)

The Mason County Housing Authority told the board it has a pair of memoranda of understanding it wants the county to continue: one allowing the housing authority to use the Public Health conference room for meetings and receive clerical support to take meeting minutes; another asking the county to pay the salary of a full‑time executive director for up to the next five years, at a proposed amount of $85,000 annually.

Why it matters: Authority members described long‑running financial and management problems that left several properties in poor condition and with unpaid subsidy and debt when the current volunteer board began work. Authority leaders said recent property sales and management changes stabilized the portfolio but that hiring a paid executive director is necessary to oversee planned development and to avoid past problems that they tied to lack of oversight.

Becky Kronquist told commissioners the authority inherited “a house in the ’30s that was in horrendous condition” and extensive unpaid subsidy and debt, and described steps the board took to stabilize properties, remove criminal activity, and bring the portfolio up to code. She said the authority has cleared most back debt, renovated units and roofs, and has nearly full occupancy except for a few units that recently turned over.

The authority described an immediate development opportunity at Fairmont Cove Apartments where an engineering assessment and Shelton city approvals have cleared site feasibility for adding new units; authority staff and a technical assistance team from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Housing and Farm Working (technical assistance) are helping the authority pursue state funding for an initial 20‑unit project and advised that building up to 120 units would not necessarily require proportionally more up‑front technical work.

The salary request: Authority leaders said a full‑time executive director is needed to manage grants, oversee a management company, handle recordkeeping and recertifications with HUD and rural development, and pursue new development and fundraising. The authority proposed the county guarantee up to $85,000 per year for the position and asked that the county provide meeting space and clerical support.

Commissioners’ guidance and next steps: County staff and commissioners discussed funding sources and timing. County staff said there is a supplemental Department of Commerce fund that would be available through June 30, 2025, and that the county could obligate one year of funding now under a contract; the county could then evaluate the second year and beyond when the budget and grant prospects are clearer. Commissioners and staff worked toward language that would: (1) guarantee two years of county support up front, with the first year to be funded from available supplemental funds if allowable and the second year to be a county guarantee if grants do not materialize; (2) require the authority to apply for ongoing support through the county’s RFP pass‑through process and to pursue grants and other funding; and (3) preserve that the county’s contribution would be a donation (not a county ownership interest in housing authority properties).

No formal vote was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to work with the county attorney on MOU language reflecting a two‑year guarantee (reviewed annually and extendable up to five years by later action), to include verbiage directing the authority to apply through the RFP process for future funding, and to bring the revised MOU back for formal agenda action in the coming weeks.

Clarifying details captured at the meeting - Proposed salary: $85,000 per year (authority request). - Supplemental funding availability: a Department of Commerce supplemental fund was identified; staff said the fund is available through 06/30/2025 and could potentially cover a one‑year contract. - County guarantee discussed: commissioners moved toward guaranteeing two years (first year potentially covered by the supplemental fund; second year covered by county general fund only if necessary), with annual review and direction to apply to RFPs for subsequent years. - Space and clerical support: the authority requested continued use of Public Health conference room and clerical minutes support; the authority said that arrangement has existed since at least 02/2009.

Speakers and roles referenced in the discussion - Becky Kronquist — Chairperson, Mason County Housing Authority (government) - Chris Kaye — Board member, Mason County Housing Authority (government) - George Blush — Long‑term board member, Mason County Housing Authority (government) - Dan — Board member (first name only in transcript) (government) - Dave Windham — County staff (discussed grant/funding availability) (government) - Mackenzie (also spelled Mackenzie/McKenzie in transcript) — County staff/clerk handling paperwork (government) - Tim — County attorney (reviewed draft MOU) (government)

What’s next: County staff will draft MOU language per commissioners’ direction, attorneys will review, and the item will return to the commissioners’ agenda for formal approval once the legal language and budget details are finalized. The housing authority was asked to apply for available supplemental funds and to participate in the county RFP pass‑through process for future funding.

Ending: Authority leaders said they view the funding as a temporary bridge to allow hiring a director who will pursue grant funding and help build additional low‑income units; commissioners directed staff to prepare MOU language and bring the item back for formal action.