The Courthouse Journal A Joint Publication of the Washington State Association of Counties & Washington Association of County Officials May 26, 2000 Number 7 WSAC SUMMER CONVENTION FAST APPROACHING Don't forget to get your Convention registration in to WSAC as soon as possible. Hotel rooms are filling up quickly. Ocean Shores has provided "Getaway Guides" to introduce you to the other opportunities for recreational pursuits while you are attending the WSAC Summer Convention. They tout the delightful galleries and shops, a tasty medley of restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, miniature golf, go-karts, and a range of accommodations to fit every budget. As the tourist bureau announces, you can beachcomb on 6 miles of wide-open sandy beaches, fly a kite, ride horses, mopeds, bikes, or surreys, birdwatch, and play golf. Enjoy trips to the Quinault Rain Forest, and museums in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, investigate the cranberry bogs in Grayland, and many more adventures. Day trips are available to Westport on board the El Matador - a local passenger ferry between Ocean Shores and Westport. Trips take about 30 minutes and offer unique sightseeing opportunities and the chance to see one or more of the resident whales. Enjoy a selection of meals ranging from Mexican to Irish to Chinese to steak and seafood. Pick up a deli lunch or ice cream at the local ice cream shop. Rent a canoe, paddle boat, motor boat, or kyak from three different locations in the immediate area. The month of June features a variety of shows and festivals. These include the Ocean Shores International Kite Challenge, the Associated Arts Photography and Fine Arts Show, the Quinault LeKmatlch Festival, and the Sand and Saw Dust Arts Festival. For exact dates and locales, contact the Ocean Shores Visitors' Bureau 1-800-76-BEACH or (360) 289-2451. Check out the website, www.oceanshores.org. Driving time to Ocean Shores is approximately 2.5 hours either from Seattle or Portland. ************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE Salary and Benefit Survey - 2000 On April 27, The Association of Washington Cities mailed its City & County Salary and Benefit Survey for the year 2000. This important survey is used by the cities and counties of the state to determine the compensation levels for employees. The completed survey should be mailed by today (May 26) to: AWC Salary Survey 1076 Franklin Street SE Olympia, WA 98501-1346 The survey may also be filled out on line. To access the online option from the World Wide Web, go to: http://24.5.121.98/awcsurvey/login.asp To receive your jurisdiction's password, or have any other questions answered, please call Deanna Krell of AWC at: 360-753-4137 or 1-800-562- 8981. ************************************** PROPERTY TAX INITIATIVES During the last week, the State Republican Party and the state chapter of the Federation of Independent Business, have endorsed both Tim Eyman's tax- capping proposal, Initiative 722, and a second proposal, Initiative I-717, to phase out the state's share of the property tax. The endorsements for both initiatives came after Senator Pam Roach (R-Auburn) met with backers of several property tax measures to look for common ground. I-722 would declare null and void tax and fee increases adopted without voter approval by state and local governments between July 2, 1999, and December 31, 1999. Vehicles would be exempted from property taxes. The limit on property tax increases, starting with the 1999 valuation level, would be the lower of 2% per year or the inflation rate. A separate limit would apply to new construction, and maintenance improvements would be exempt from tax. Eyman has one other proposal which was endorsed by the state Republican Party, I-745, the refiled transportation initiative requiring that 90 percent of state transportation money go to highways. ************************************** LAW & JUSTICE ************************************** LEGISLATIVE WORK GROUP TACKLES `HERTOG' ISSUES, SEEKS IDEAS Although the 2000 legislative session did not bring any relief from potential local liability for negligent supervision of misdemeanant probationers and pre-trial releasees, key legislators are continuing to work on the issue. Co-chairs of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, Rep. Ida Ballasiotes (R) and Rep. Al O'Brien (D), have convened an ad hoc work group to consider the issues raised by the recent decision of the Washington Supreme Court in Hertog v. City of Seattle and King County. The court in this case held that local governments are not immune from liability for the conduct of probationers and persons under pre-trial supervision. The work group will explore the ramifications of the Hertog decision and consider possible legislative solutions. One bill, HB 2715, was introduced in the 2000 session but failed to pass out of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. The primary concern for local governments is that any city or county providing misdemeanant probation and pre-trial supervision services could be liable for substantial damages if a probationer or pre-trial releasee harms someone. Local governments are not required to provide these supervision services, and some jurisdictions have indicated they will cease these services unless the Legislature provides some protection from liability. HB 2715 would have extended to local misdemeanant probation programs the same degree of limited liability protection - a gross negligence standard - currently enjoyed by the state in its operation of probation services for gross misdemeanants. The bill also would have sought the development of statewide minimum standards for local probation programs. Crime victims groups and the trial lawyers strongly opposed earlier attempts by local governments to attain full immunity from lawsuits. Most members of the ad hoc work group, in its first meeting Wednesday, May 24, also dismissed the concept of full immunity. The discussion in that meeting focused on two main ideas: (1) how to develop standards that would not tax already-limited local resources; and (2) whether an "insurance pool" could be generated from minor probation fees to protect small jurisdictions from judgements. Please contact Sophia Byrd at WSAC if you have comments, concerns or other ideas to present to the work group. The ad hoc work group includes representatives from WSAC, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), prosecutors, judges, probation officers, crime victims, trial lawyers, public defenders, and the state attorney general office. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11. ************************************** HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ************************************** CLALLAM COUNTY HIRES NEW HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR Lynne M. Sweeney, MD, MPH has been hired as the new Director of the Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services. She comes to Clallam County from Florida where she was the Assistant County Public Health Department Director for the Department of Health's Polk County Health Department in Bartow, Florida. As the Assistant County Public Health Department Director she was responsible for administration and management (daily operations) of public health services and programs in an $20 million/430 staff agenda and she had direct supervision of administrative services (budget, fiscal, purchasing, personnel, management information systems, central supply, maintenance, billing, and vital statistics). Previously in her career, she also served as a Community Health Consultant for the Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties, Inc where she provided consultant services to analyze data on maternal and infant health and developed a comprehensive community assessment of risk factors and birth outcomes in the three counties. Dr. Sweeney replaces Claudia Davis, the previous Director of the Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Sweeney will be on board in her new job July 1st. She plans to marry prior to beginning her job with Clallam County. Dr. Sweeney will be marrying Charles Saddler who is the new County Administrator for Jefferson County. We welcome Dr. Sweeney to the State of Washington and we look forward to meeting her and encourage her involvement with WSAC and with the WSALPHO and ACHS affiliates. ************************************** CHILD CARE RFP ANNOUNCED BY DSHS The Economic Services Administration, DSHS, has just issued a Request for Proposals for contracts to expand access to and quality of child care for children from low-income families while parents are working or in job training. The contracts will be in four areas: before and after-school care and/or middle school care, care for children with special needs, infant care, and non-standard hour care. Performance-based contracts will be awarded statewide to provide these services as of September 1, 2000 until June 30, 2001. An amount of $9 million is available to expand these services for this period. To get a copy of the RFP you must send a written request to the following DSHS Coordinator: DSHS Central Contract Services, Attn: Scott Maricle, RFP Coordinator, PO Box 45811, Olympia, WA 98504 or FAX (360) 664-6184. Requests are desired by the end of the month if possible. However proposals are not due until July 6. ************************************** DISCRETIONARY FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL The Developmental Disabilities Council announces the availability of FFY 2000 Discretionary Funds. Proposals are due in the Council office by August 1, 2000. Decisions on the proposals will be made at the November 2000 Council meeting. The discretionary funds can be used in any of the six life goal areas. These are community supports, health care, self- determination, education, employment, and housing. Requests must indicate that they include activities that are consistent with the Council's mission and help meet one or more of the life goal areas. A 25% match is required either in dollars or in-kind. The proposals must have the ability to impact persons with developmental disabilities statewide or be replicable statewide. For additional information contact Clare Billings, Developmental Disabilities Council, 906 Columbia St. SW, PO Box 48314, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 753-3375 or clareb@cted.wa.gov. ************************************** COUNTY NEWS ************************************** APPOINTMENT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Brenda Sherman, Chief Deputy Auditor and Accounting Manager for the Grays Harbor County Auditor's Office, has been appointed to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC.) Brenda's appointment occurred as a result of a WACO vacancy on the committee when Les Brodie, Thurston County Financial Services Director, accepted a position as Comptroller for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Brenda has been with the Grays Harbor County Auditor's Office since 1990. She is a Certified Public Account. ************************************** SHERIFFS MEET IN WENATCHEE Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim, president of the Washington State Association of County Sheriffs (WSACS), presided over the WSACS business meeting during the 75th Semi-Annual Conference of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) in Wenatchee this week. Sheriff Larry Taylor, Benton County, was honored by fellow sheriffs for his diligence and dedication to the passage of legislation allowing law enforcement officers in Washington to make sound recordings with a video recording from a police vehicle during stops. When presented with a plaque for his efforts, Sheriff Taylor commended Representative Jerome Delvin, the sponsor of HB 2903, and Captain Eric Robertson of the Washington State Patrol for their support. At the conclusion of the meeting Sheriff Lathim handed over the leadership of WSACS to newly elected president Whatcom County Sheriff Dale Brandland. Sheriff Mike Kline, Adams County, was elected Vice President and Sheriff Joe Hawe was reelected to Secretary/Treasurer. ************************************** MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS ************************************** SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN. ANNOUNCES REGIONAL FORUMS ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Social Security Administration is inviting interested persons to regional public education forums on improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The local forum is entitled "Federal Policy - State Opportunities: Models and Strategies for an Inclusive Workforce." It will take place on Tuesday, June 13, 2000 from 8:30 - 5:00 at The Westin, 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle. The forum is free of charge with continental breakfast and a box lunch provided. The forums are intended to bring together disability policy stakeholders from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho to learn about new federal initiatives, state and local employment programs, new health care services and options, and other work supports that can directly benefit people with disabilities who are seeking employment. There will be sessions on new Social Security Administration initiatives, federal Medicare policies, models of state medicaid options and waivers, designs of new Workforce Investment Act programs and federal rehabilitation and education initiatives. In addition, updates will be provided on the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Cherry Engineering Support Services, Inc. (CESSI) is providing logistical and administrative services in support of this meeting. For additional information please contact Kristi Beck at 703-442-9015 or 703-448-3088. Locally Andy Toulon, DSHS, Mental Health Division is familiar with the forum and may be able to provide additional information. He can be reached at (360)902-0818. ************************************** COMING EVENTS ************************************** May 30 1999 Foreign Protection Full Faith and Credit Act Training, sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys' and Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Associations, Jefferson County Courthouse, Port Townsend, 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Four C.L.E. credits. (360) 753-2175 June 1 1999 Foreign Protection Full Faith and Credit Act Training, sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys' and Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Associations, Whatcom Crisis Services, Bellingham, 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Four C.L.E. credits. (360) 753-2175 10-14 International Association of Clerks', Recorders', Election Officials' and Treasurers' (IACREOT) Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio. 11-14 Government Finance Officers' Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois. 11-15 International Association of Coroners' and Medical Examiners' Annual Conference, Mundelein, Illinois. 13-16 Washington State Association of County Auditors' Annual Conference, Silverdale on the Bay Hotel, Silverdale. 14 County Auditors' Licensing Conference, Silverdale on the Bay Hotel, Silverdale. 14-16 Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys' (WAPA) Summer Training Program, Campbell's Lodge, Chelan. 17-21 National Sheriffs' Association Annual Conference, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. 18-20 Washington Association of Coroners' and Medical Examiners' Summer Training, Double Tree Inn, Tukwila. 19-23 Washington State Association of County Clerks' Annual Conference, Quality Inn, Clarkston. 19-23 Washington State Association of County Treasurers' Annual Conference, Friday Harbor Inn, Friday Harbor. 19-23 Washington State Association of County Assessors' Annual June Conference, Yakima. 19-23 Association of Washington Cities' (AWC) Annual Conference, Spokane. 27-30 Washington State Association of Counties' (WSAC) Annual Conference, Shilo Inn, Ocean Shores. 29 1999 Foreign Protection Full Faith and Credit Act Training, sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys' and Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Associations, Clark Regional Communications Center, Vancouver, 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Four C.L.E. credits. (360) 753-2175 30 1999 Foreign Protection Full Faith and Credit Act Training, sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys' and Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Associations, Thurston County Courthouse, Olympia, 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Four C.L.E. credits. (360) 753-2175 ************************************** COUNTY CALENDAR ************************************** June 1 Property taxes still not paid to the county treasurer, as of this date, are subject to a delinquency of 12% per annum on the total tax, as well as a penalty of 3%. RCW 84.56.020 1 Exemption on exempt food stuffs and unprocessed timber must be furnished to the county assessor by this date. RCW 84.36.150 1 By this date, the county auditor shall have searched available records and will then notify the county legislative authority if any special purpose districts located wholly or partially within the county appear to be inactive. The auditor shall also provide in the notifications, a list of all special purpose districts located wholly or partially within the county that for three consecutive years before the notification have failed to file required annual statements with the county auditor. RCW 36.96.020 30 On or before this date, the Department of Revenue sets stumpage values for July through December of the current year. RCW 84.33.091 ************************************** COURTHOUSE RAMBLINGS ************************************** Grays Harbor County Clerk Jackie Busse is retiring, effective May 31, after 25 years in county government, 22 « as clerk. She began working for the county auditor's office when WSAC Executive Director Bill Vogler was Grays Harbor County Auditor. A retirement "social" will be held for Jackie on Wednesday, May 31 at the clerk's office, 123 First Street, Montesano, between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. ****** Grays Harbor County Commissioners have named Chief Deputy Clerk Cheryl Brown to replace Jackie, beginning June 1. The appointment will be effective until the commissioners choose a name from three nominees submitted by the county Democratic Party. ****** Several adventurous county officials, including both WACO and WSAC members, plan on spending the first seven days of June rafting 280 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. They are: Kittitas County Auditor Bev Allenbaugh, Thurston County Coroner Judy Arnold, Mason County Coroner Martha Reed, Thurston County Assessor Patricia Costello and Thurston County Commissioner Kevin O'Sullivan. ****** Clallam County Sheriff Joe Hawe was honored earlier this month when he was selected Grand Marshal of the Sequim Irrigation Festival Parade. County Assessor Linda Owings-Rosenburgh was seen marching about a mile behind Sheriff Hawe's convertible under sunny Clallam County skies. ************************************** JOBS ************************************** COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES MANAGER, WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Bellingham, WA, seeks an individual to direct the administration of the Community Health & Wellness Services Division. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling the efforts of staff, and other work and community groups to accomplish the work, mission, goals and vision of the department and the County in the assessment and delivery of a variety of nursing, social work, nutrition and medical services to individuals, families, groups and communities. Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing, including study in public health nursing AND a master's degree in nursing, public health or an allied health field AND 5 years of progressively responsible public health nursing experience in a health department INCLUDING 3 years of supervisory experience, OR equivalent. Hiring range: $4,401-$4,944/month, DOQ. Closes 6/29/00. For required application contact Whatcom County Human Resources, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 107, Bellingham, WA, or call (360) 676-6802. For detailed job announcement visit our website at www.co.whatcom.wa.us or call the jobline at (360) 738-4550. Equal Opportunity Employer. ****** COWLITZ COUNTY - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II OR I - Cowlitz County is accepting applications for an Environmental Health Specialist II or I (depending on the qualifications of the person hired) in the Building and Planning Department. This position applies both state and county environmental health standards for water quality, solid waste and on site sewage systems to departmental development applications administered by the Building and Planning Department. Requirements for EHS I: BA degree involving study in sanitary science environmental health, bacteriology, a health science, chemistry, physics, biology, zoology, civil engineering or other closely related science. Requirements for EHS II: two years of experience as a Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist in a public agency, and registration or ability to become a Registered Sanitarian in the State of WA or through the National Environmental Health Association at the time of hire or appointment. Note: Ability to become Registered means that the WA State Board of Registered Sanitarian's Association or the National Environmental Health Association has accepted a candidate for reciprocity in writing. Starting salary for EHS I is $2,694 per month. Starting salary for EHS II is $3,108 per month. Applications and complete job description can be obtained by visiting Administrative Services, 207 4th Avenue N, Kelso, WA 98626 or calling (360) 577-3065 or TDD (360) 577- 3061. This position will remain open until filled. Cowlitz County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ****** SAN JUAN COUNTY - ROAD MAINTENANCE DIV. MGR. for its Public Works dept. Position directs, supervises and is accountable for preparation of yearly and long-range plans and budget requests for construction & road maintenance. College and 5 yrs directly related experience required. $3,713 - 4,698/month + benefits. Info. & appl: (360)378-3870 or http://www.co.san- juan.wa.us. Position open until filled. ****** SAN JUAN COUNTY - CIVIL ENGINEER I to perform entry level work for the design of Public Works projects, including research, design and plan projects such as roadways and storm drainage. B.S. in Civil Eng. required. $15.69 - 19.86/hr + benefits. Info. & appl: (360)378-3870 or http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us. Position open until filled. ****** FAIR AND EVENTS COORDINATOR - KITSAP COUNTY Parks & Recreation Department is recruiting for a Fair & Events Coordinator to plan, organize and coordinate all operations of the County Fair and other major events held at the fairgrounds and fair facilities, as well as coordinating all activities for the promotion, preparation and production of the annual County Fair and other events. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor's degree in fair administration, parks and recreation, public or business administration, marketing or closely related field and three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in fair administration, marketing and/or planning, including one year of supervisory or lead worker responsibilities; or any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work. Salary: $41,766.40 to $53,289.60 annually. Closes: June 30, 2000 at 4:30 pm. Postmarks will not be accepted. For more information and application packet contact: Kitsap County Personnel, 507 Austin Avenue, Mailing Address: 614 Division St., MS- 23, Port Orchard, WA 98366-4676, (360) 337-7185, ext. 0. Kitsap County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Check out our website: www.wa.gov/kitsap/. ****** WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, OLYMPIA WA. - INTERNAL AUDIT MANAGER. Responsible for managing the department-wide internal audit program. Salary range $46,872-$56,244. Closes 6/14/00. For details & how to apply: 1) click Job Info; All Current Openings Listed by Category; Exempt & Washington Mgmt Service - (jobs listed in alpha order); 2) or call Toni @ 360-902-1602.DNR is an EOE. **** END ****