The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a series of administrative and land‑use actions during its Jan. 7 regular meeting, including the reappointment of a library trustee, special‑use permits for a golf course and hatchery, a rezoning ordinance and two personnel replacements.

Ed Frost, vice chair of Mid Columbia Libraries, presented Andrew Orkala for reappointment to a seven‑year term on the library board. Orkala described his background in contract administration and budget oversight. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved resolution 2026‑012 to confirm Orkala’s appointment.

Planning staff presented three closed‑record matters. Director of Planning and Economic Development Wes McCart reviewed the record for the River Ranch Golf Course special‑use permit (SUP2025‑01, SEPA 2025‑17); after commissioners confirmed they had reviewed the file and disclosed no ex parte communications, the board moved and approved resolution 2026‑013 to grant the permit.

The board then considered a special‑use permit for the Ringgold Hatchery (SUP2025‑02) to install concrete fish rearing raceways in the hatchery footprint. McCart explained the plan to replace leaking wooden and plastic raceways with north–south oriented concrete raceways; commissioners asked clarifying questions about locations and sizes before approving resolution 2026‑014.

Finally, planning staff presented a rezoning request (ZC2025‑02 / SEPA2025‑20) to change a 35.4‑acre parcel from agricultural production (AP 20) to general industrial (12). The planning commission had recommended approval with five findings of fact; the board voted unanimously to adopt ordinance 01‑2026 granting the rezoning.

Separately, the board amended the agenda to add two personnel items and approved replacement hires for the Planning, Building and Economic Development department and for the clerk’s office. Chair Mullin announced the other routine consent items were approved earlier in the meeting.

The meeting proceeded without contested roll‑call votes; the actions were carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript. The board then moved on to commissioner reports and other business.