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Spokane County proclaims Correctional Officers Week and Drug Court Week; approves PFAS filtration contract
Summary
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners on May 5 adopted proclamations honoring correctional employees and marking Drug Court Week and approved consent items including a Department of Commerce grant contract to install POET filtration systems addressing PFAS on the West Plains.
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners on May 5 unanimously adopted proclamations recognizing National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and marking the 30th anniversary of the county’s felony drug court.
During the corrections proclamation, the board cited the role of detention services and described services provided across more than 32,000 individual cases annually. The board invited detention staff forward for a photo and recognition. Chief Hooper, introduced by the Chair, thanked commissioners for their ongoing support and described staff appreciation traditions: “Every year during the first week in May, we celebrate by bringing food, prizes for staff… and this year, we'll be having cookies, pizza, donuts, as well as over 2,000 in gift cards for the staff,” he said, noting the donations come from staff and community partners.
The board also proclaimed Drug Court Week in recognition of Spokane County Superior Court’s felony drug court 30th anniversary. Judge Zamblin and treatment‑team representatives thanked the board for support and invited the public to drug court graduations; a treatment representative noted a recent graduate’s account of recovery at a ceremony.
On the consent agenda, the board approved items 4, 5 and 6 by unanimous voice vote, including a contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce to fund point-of-entry treatment (POET) system installations and filtration on the West Plains to address PFAS contamination. A commissioner commended staff and specific employees for advancing the grant: “This grant is unique and there are a lot of things in this grant that have never been done before in the State of Washington,” the commissioner said, and thanked Heather Arnold and Ben Battebro for their work.
All proclamations and consent motions passed by unanimous voice votes. The board announced an executive session on potential litigation and a closed session on labor negotiations later in the day, with no action expected.
