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Whitman County, Port discuss homelessness workshop; consultants proposed as convener, cost-sharing sought
Summary
At a Jan. 20 joint meeting, the Community Action Council and Port discussed using the Port as a convener for implementing the Whitman County 5-year homelessness plan supplement; consultants proposed a one-day workshop and follow-up support, with transcript references to a consultant fee noted both as $12,000 and in an appended proposal at $15,000.
During the Jan. 20 Port-County workshop, Jeff Guyett of the Community Action Council outlined consultant recommendations accompanying the Whitman County 5-year Homelessness Housing Plan supplement and said the CAC should not serve as the lead convener. Instead, consultants suggested the Port of Whitman act as convener for a coalition that would include nonprofits, churches, realtors and home builders to identify service gaps and reduce duplication.
The transcript records the consultants' one-day workshop cost in two different places: during the workshop Jeff Guyett said the consultants were proposed "at a cost of $12,000.00 plus being available for 6 months as assistance" and the meeting packet includes a Ladder Logik consulting proposal (Appendix) with a $15,000 total fee and a three-phase scope (initial document review/prep, a 2.5-day on-site workshop, and six months of monthly check-ins). The Port asked the County to share the consultant cost.
The Ladder Logik proposal in the meeting packet states, "The intent of the project is to work alongside the Port of Whitman County team to support the implementation of Whitman County's 5-Year Homeless Housing plan through the creation of a formal governance structure." Katherine Dillard Gonzalez is listed as the principal consultant in the proposal and the packet itemizes proposed deliverables and travel expenses.
Why it matters: county and nonprofit leaders are seeking a cross-sector convener to coordinate homelessness planning and fill system gaps. The board did not take a formal vote at the workshop; the Port requested cost-sharing for consultant support and the matter will require follow-up to finalize roles and funding.
Next steps: the Port and county will need to confirm the consultant engagement terms and the County's share of any cost before contracting or scheduling the proposed workshop.
