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Point Roberts committee weighs hiring a local full‑time public‑works employee against contracting; county cost estimates cited
Summary
PRCAC heard county estimates that a dedicated full‑time employee for Point Roberts would cost roughly $100,000 in startup and $150,000–$170,000 annually; equipment estimates and licensing/prevailing‑wage requirements prompted debate over hiring local contractors versus county staffing.
PRCAC members reviewed county cost estimates for maintaining roads and shoulders if the community pursued a dedicated full‑time public‑works employee for Point Roberts. Rhiannon read county figures: an upfront establishment cost of approximately $100,000 and annual ongoing costs around $150,000–$170,000, plus equipment costs that could reach several hundred thousand dollars per piece.
Committee members disputed the county equipment estimates as ‘‘scare tactics’’ and urged looking at lower‑cost local options, including contracting with local owners of tractors and attachments. Rhiannon and other speakers emphasized that any contractor or worker operating in the county right‑of‑way must be licensed, bonded and insured and that prevailing‑wage and L&I requirements usually apply. "If we dedicated a full time employee, there would be an upfront one time establishment cost of approximately $100,000," Rhiannon read. "Annual ongoing cost approximately $150 to $170,000... a mower $325,000, a sweeper is $300,000, a 10 yard dump truck with a plow... $610,000."
