County approves $50,078 federal Title II grant for post‑fire noxious‑weed control

Okanogan County commissioners voted to authorize the county's Noxious Weed Office to accept and sign a federal Title II contract totaling $50,078 to fund noxious‑weed control on private land damaged by recent fires.

The contract, presented by Larry Hudson of the county's Noxious Weed Office, was described as a three‑year appropriation that had been authorized but not previously expended. Hudson said about $28,000 of the award will pay a contractor to carry out treatment, roughly $2,000 will purchase herbicide for landowners who elect to treat themselves, and about $6,078 will cover Okanogan County staff time and travel to oversee work. The program is structured as a cost‑share: the grant covers a portion of the treatment and affected landowners contribute an estimated $14,000 in total toward their share.

Hudson said the Title II funds cited in the contract come from an earlier appropriation and were held until the county had the required SAM registration and procedural approvals. Commissioners confirmed the funding source and asked staff to ensure county contracting requirements are met before the department signs the agreement.

A commissioner moved to authorize Larry Hudson and the Okanogan County Noxious Weed Office to sign the Title II contract for $50,078; another commissioner seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by voice vote. No recorded roll‑call tally was read during the meeting minutes; the clerk recorded the motion as carried on the board's voice vote.

Next steps described during the meeting: the Noxious Weed Office will sign the contract, follow the cost‑share schedule and report progress to the commissioners as projects begin in the burned areas.