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Adams County commissioners approve consent agenda, back Othello Fair Board office request
Summary
At their Feb. 3, 2026 meeting in Ritzville, the Adams County Board of Commissioners approved the agenda and consent agenda (including $459,030.35 in vouchers), agreed the Othello Fair Board should formally request a new fair office, set canvassing assignments for the Feb. 10 special election, and recessed into a closed session on bargaining strategy.
Ritzville, Wash. — The Adams County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 3, 2026, approved the day's agenda and the consent agenda, and took a series of administrative actions before adjourning at 11:51 a.m.
Chairman Dan C. Blankenship called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Jay R. Weise moved to approve the agenda; Blankenship seconded and the motion carried. The board then approved the consent agenda, which included preliminary minutes for Jan. 20–21, 2026, and certification of vouchers. The vouchers listed fund-level totals culminating in a combined total of $459,030.35.
The meeting included several board updates. Chairman Blankenship said he met with consultant John Culton and a representative from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s office and described the board’s decision to pursue advancing an existing project through the senator’s office rather than seeking a new budget allocation. Blankenship summarized items from the EWCOG meeting and a Washington State Association of Counties virtual update, noting a proposed Senate bill on law enforcement certification that could require counties to cover background-check costs for sheriff applicants, potential changes that could lengthen the timeline for onsite sewage inspector licensing, discussion of moving elections to even years, and a proposal to reestablish an indigent defense task force.
Commissioner Weise reported he has been working on budgeting and salary-structure matters and researching the county’s use of its '.09' funds and possible reconstruction of the county’s approach to those funds.
Human Resources Manager Campbell told the board staff participated in MRSC employment-law training and provided an update on advertising for the public works director vacancy.
Public works staff — Interim Director Yaeger, Assistant Director Reynolds and Facilities Manager Mattson — reviewed an Othello Fair Board proposal for a new fair office at the county fairgrounds. Yaeger and Mattson said they supported the building concept, and the board concurred that the Othello Fair Board should formally submit a request. The county’s response to any request will outline fair board responsibilities and security measures, the board said. Yaeger also gave weekly maintenance updates (Ritzville crews moving to Washtucna for culvert repair on Watson Road; continued recycling work in solid waste; central services wall nearing completion and heating issues persisting in the public services building) and summarized engineering work on the Gottlieb-Hille Bridge project, the Herman Road Safety project and the High-Volume Corridors project.
Because Vice-Chairman Miguel A. Garza was absent for health reasons, the board designated Commissioners Blankenship and Weise to serve on the canvassing board for the Feb. 10, 2026 special election for the Jan. 22–Feb. 20 canvass period. The board listed specific service dates: Blankenship on Feb. 17 and Feb. 20, and Weise on Feb. 19.
Prosecutor Flyckt provided a staffing update for the prosecutor’s office; the transcript records the update but does not specify hiring decisions or counts.
At 11:31 a.m. the board recessed into a closed session under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) to discuss collective bargaining strategy and review proposals; Prosecutor Flyckt and HR Manager Campbell were present. The board reconvened at 11:51 a.m., signed permanent minutes for Jan. 6–7 and Jan. 13–14, 2026, and adjourned.
Votes at a glance
- Approve agenda as presented — Mover: Commissioner Jay R. Weise; Second: Chairman Dan C. Blankenship; Outcome: Approved. - Approve consent agenda (including preliminary minutes and vouchers) — Mover: Commissioner Jay R. Weise; Second: Chairman Dan C. Blankenship; Outcome: Approved. Vouchers total: $459,030.35. - Canvassing assignments for Feb. 10 special election — Board designation; Outcome: Approved. - Recess to closed session under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) at 11:31 a.m.; reconvened 11:51 a.m.
What to watch next
The board noted state-level proposals on law enforcement certification (potential county responsibility for background checks) and changes to sewage inspector licensing timelines; both could affect county costs and local permitting processes if enacted. The Othello Fair Board must submit a formal request for the proposed fair office before the county takes additional steps.
(Reporting in this article is based solely on board meeting minutes and statements recorded in the Adams County commissioners' Feb. 3, 2026 transcript.)
