Columbia County adopts interlocal agreement with Walla Walla County for developmental-disability services

Janet Ronpow, accounting coordinator for developmental disabilities, presented an interlocal agreement (ILA) between Columbia County and Walla Walla County to manage developmental-disability program services. She said the contract is funded by state Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) and provided a Columbia County-specific budget: $140,946 for direct services, $15,081 for administration, and $9,866 for information, education and training — a total of $165,893.

"We have direct services that go out of there... $140,946," Ronpow said while summarizing the county's portion of the contract. She identified three Columbia County providers named in the agreement: Blue Mountain Industries, Opportunity Services and Entrust Community Services.

Commissioner Virginia moved to adopt the ILA. The chair called the vote, "All those in favor, say aye," and recorded the motion as carried. The transcript records the motion as adopted but does not include a roll-call tally.

After the vote, staff read a proclamation recognizing the eightieth anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Columbia County's stated commitment to recruiting, hiring and advancing workers with disabilities. Staff noted the reading is entered into the minutes; no separate formal roll-call for the proclamation was recorded.

The presenters said the county is complying with a state RCW requirement that counties stand up developmental-disability services and that the Job Foundation transition program (for 19-year-olds leaving school) has a $15,000 budget shared across both counties and includes at least one Columbia County participant this year.

Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: the ILA was adopted and staff will proceed with contract execution and routine administrative follow-up.