Board directs staff to choose timber-receipts method for Secure Rural Schools payments; commissioners cite higher county revenue potential

Interim Finance Director Dan Johnson and government affairs manager Trent Wilson briefed the board on a county decision point under Secure Rural Schools (SRS) rules: whether to elect SRS payment methodology or to accept timber receipts. Johnson said SRS this year was estimated at approximately $11,400,000 while timber receipts were estimated at about $2,800,000 based on last year’s harvest data and current distribution changes.

Commissioner West urged selecting timber receipts to increase direct county funding for the general fund and to help redistribute SRS funds to counties with fewer O&C lands; he noted a recent change increasing the county’s share of some O&C distributions from 50 to 75 percent and described significant intergovernmental lobbying that led to that change. Commissioners discussed guarantees associated with SRS (dependent on congressional reauthorization every three years) versus the variability of receipts. After discussion, Commissioner West moved and Commissioner Savas seconded a motion directing staff to elect payments based on timber receipts. The clerk called a 5-0 poll; the motion passed.

Dan Johnson and Trent Wilson were instructed to notify the Association of O&C Counties and follow the pipeline to the AOC and DAS for processing. The board’s choice commits the county to the timber-receipts methodology for the applicable period and triggers subsequent percentage-distribution decisions by staff as needed.

The transcript contains both the staff estimates and commissioners’ rationales: the SRS column was described as a guaranteed option if reauthorized by Congress, while timber receipts were described as more variable but potentially advantageous to the county and to other Western counties if chosen.