Okanogan County public meetings in 2024

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will meet to approve November meeting minutes and financial reports, discuss the Consolidated Contract for 2025–2027, and receive updates from the administrator, environmental health, community health, and health officer.

• Approval of draft minutes from November 19, 2024
• Financial reports for November 2024 (cash on hand, vouchers & payroll)
• Discussion of the Consolidated Contract 2025-2027
• Administrator, Environmental Health, Community Health, and Health Officer updates

The Okanogan County Board of Health approved the 2025-2027 Consolidated Contract, its main revenue source, and authorized Administrator Lauri Jones to sign it. The board also approved a services agreement with Room One for syringe exchange services, and approved all November 2024 financial reports and payroll. An environmental health employee was promoted from Grade 25 to Grade 26, step 5.

• Approved 2025-2027 Consolidated Contract (all in favor)
• Approved Room One Services Agreement for syringe exchange (all in favor)
• Approved November 2024 financial reports, vouchers, and payroll totaling $199,828.78 (all in favor)
• Approved moving EH employee from Grade 25 step 5 to Grade 26 step 5 (all in favor)
• Approved agenda as amended (all in favor)
• Approved November 19, 2024 board minutes (all in favor)

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee approved a change to fair registration dates (July 15 to August 15, 2025) and authorized Nick to buy ribbons at the best price. They reviewed finances showing $201,105.67 remaining and discussed fairgrounds maintenance, service dog signage, and rodeo planning. Several subcommittee positions remain vacant.

• Registration dates changed to July 15–August 15, 2025 (third vote passed)
• Nick authorized to purchase ribbons at best available price
• Finances: $201,105.67 remaining after bills, 2025 budget attached
• Signs for service dogs at all three entrances to be pursued with county commissioners
• Release of Liability waivers drafted for Little Beef Barn, Sheep Barn, and Horse Barn

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will meet to review October 2024 financial reports and administrative updates. The board is scheduled to consider a contract amendment and a new policy regarding working meals and light refreshments.

• Consolidated Contract Amendment #23 Final
• Resolution #2024-10 Working Meal-Light Refreshment Policy
• October 2024 Financial Reports including Treasurer’s Cash on Hand, Cash on Hand, and Vouchers & Payroll

Fair Advisory Committee

The Fair Advisory Committee discussed a $22,000 budget overrun requiring a supplemental budget request, primarily due to entertainment costs. They elected new officers, approved shifting the registration date to July 15–August 15, 2025, and debated changes to fair book rules including age limits for youth exhibitors and a new alcohol policy allowing consumption only in campsites. The committee also addressed a state auditor requirement that all fair-raised funds go through the fair office with restricted accounts for each barn.

• $22,000 budget overrun requiring supplemental request, mainly from entertainment costs of $57,000 for a headliner
• Registration date changed to July 15–August 15, 2025, to give swine and beef exhibitors more time
• Alcohol rule revised: 'Alcohol can only be consumed in campsites; possession outside campsite subject to removal'
• All fair-raised funds must go through fair office with restricted accounts per barn, per state auditor
• Pre-Junior age limits revised: 5-7 for beef, horses, goats, sheep; 3-7 for bottle babies, poultry, rabbits, pocket pets

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission will meet to address new business items. The agenda includes discussions regarding the Shoreline Master Program and permit applications.

• OCC 14.15 Shoreline Master Program
• OCC 20.08 Permit Applications

Dispatch Advisory Board (DAB)

The Okanogan County Dispatch Advisory Board will consider approving June 2024 minutes, elect a chair and vice chair, and discuss the radio network improvements project including WSDOT contract negotiations, system design, costs, and timeline for spring 2025. Other items include updates on dispatch staffing, mobile command trailer, Tunk fire hardening, Spillman database migration, and new communication equipment. The board will also discuss Washington State telecommunicator certification requirements.

• Radio Network Improvements Project: WSDOT Contract Negotiations, System Design & Costs, Timeline – Start Spring 2025
• Election of Board Chair & Vice Chair
• Dispatch Status & Projects Update: Staffing, Mobile Command Trailer, Tunk Fire Hardening, Spillman database migration (Dec 9-13 new server), CommsCoach QA, Audio Recorder, Radio Consoles
• Old Business: Response Plans edit requests, Omak Stampede 2024 lessons learned
• New Business: Washington State Telecommunicator Certification (RCW 38.60), iSpyData Leaks, UW Pursuit Data request

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will hold public hearings on three resolutions: a 2024 budget supplemental appropriation, the 2025 public health fee schedule, and the 2025 public health budget. They will also consider a resolution repealing a 2018 resolution and receive administrative and program updates.

• Public hearing on Resolution #2024-06: 2024 Budget Supplemental Appropriation
• Public hearing on Resolution #2024-07: 2025 Public Health Fee Schedule
• Public hearing on Resolution #2024-08: 2025 Public Health Budget
• Resolution #2024-09: Repealing Resolution 2018-01
• Financial reports and vouchers/payroll for September 2024

Fair Advisory Committee

The committee discussed fairground vandalism, budget constraints, and livestock auction totals. Members decided to move the 2025 livestock registration deadline to August 15, with a pre-registration window from May 1 to June 21.

• Livestock Market sales totaled $630,996.04 and Fur & Feather sales totaled $72,325.00
• Remaining budget reported at $279,590.18
• Livestock registration deadline moved to August 15, 2025
• Reported vandalism to RV bathrooms and parking lot fencing
• Resignation of committee member Charlayne

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will consider draft minutes from August 13, 2024, review financial reports for August 2024, and discuss a consolidated contract amendment #22 and a Blue Sky Minds memorandum of agreement. The meeting includes updates from the administrator, environmental health director, community health director, and health officer.

• Blue Sky Minds Maria Hines update
• Consolidated Contract Amendment #22
• Blue Sky Minds MOA
• Financial reports – August 2024 including cash on hand and vouchers & payroll

Fair Advisory Committee

The Fair Advisory Committee held an emergency meeting to address repeated disturbances by a group of teenagers at the fairgrounds, including vandalism, fighting, and alcohol use. The committee discussed expelling the individuals and banning them from the fair for at least one year. They also considered installing more LED lighting in dark areas to improve security. A vote was taken to recommend expulsion.

• Report of vandalism: handicap dividers torn from RV bathrooms
• Incident of fighting involving nine against one person
• Discussion of expelling teenagers and banning them for at least a year
• Plan to install LED lighting to reduce dark areas
• One teenager tased by security for attempting to punch guard

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee discussed and approved several operational items for the upcoming fair, including parking lot staffing costs of $3,000–$4,000 and a $1,200 corn hole game. The committee also addressed livestock sale logistics, vet check scheduling, and noted that the concert headliner contract has not yet been signed by the Commissioners.

• Motion passed to pay $3,000–$4,000 for parking lot staffing; committee will contact potential workers
• Corn hole game approved at $1,200 for one day near the beer garden
• Livestock sale permit is on file; packers arranged for goats and sheep, but beef and horse vets are unconfirmed
• Judges contracts must be submitted by 8/23/2024 or they will not be paid on fair day
• Concert headliner contract still unsigned by Commissioners; scaffolding needs addressed

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health is meeting for a routine session to approve draft minutes from July 23, 2024, review July 2024 financial reports including cash on hand and vouchers, and receive updates from the administrator, environmental health director, community health director, and health officer.

• Approval of draft minutes from July 23, 2024
• Review of July 2024 financial reports: treasurer's cash on hand, cash on hand, vouchers & payroll
• Administrator update
• Environmental Health Director update
• Community Health Director update and Health Officer update

Fair Advisory Committee

The committee approved the proposed 2025 budget covering professional services and Ticket Tomato costs. They also voted to continue with the same online auction company as last year, and postponed consideration of a new rodeo event until after the fair. Brock Hires announced his resignation from the committee effective September 9, 2024.

• Approved the proposed 2025 budget, including increased professional services and Ticket Tomato costs (motion by Brock, seconded by Laura, passed).
• Voted to have Lloyd Caton contract with the same online auction company as last year (motion by Charlayne, seconded by Laura, passed).
• Postponed discussion on adding bull riding, ranch broncs, and kids steer riding until after the fair (motion by Rick, seconded by Laura, passed).
• Brock Hires announced his resignation from the Fair Advisory Committee effective September 9, 2024.
• Approved giving Sunrise RV 4 passes in exchange for providing two trailers with generators and fresh water for concert preparations (motion by Rick, seconded by Laura, passed).

Board of Health

The Board of Health will meet to review June 2024 financial reports and administrative actions. The body will consider several agreements and a contract amendment.

• Consolidated Contract Amendment #21
• Pilot Rock Consulting Agreement
• Village Reach Agreement
• MOA with Okanogan County Community Coalition
• June 2024 Financial Reports including Treasurer’s Cash on Hand and Payroll

Fair Advisory Committee

The committee voted to waive all late fees for food, craft, and camping vendors this year. Members also discussed meat packer options for livestock and set registration dates for the Fur & Feather Auction.

• Waived all late fees for food, craft, and camping vendors
• Approved 4 fair passes for Oroville Police National Night Out event
• Confirmed meat packer options including Ag-Beef, Double S, and Richard Michaels
• Set Fur & Feather Auction registration for July 25 through August 24
• Reported $225,377.59 in the finance report

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will review May 2024 financial reports and draft minutes from the May 14, 2024 meeting. Updates will also be provided by the Health Officer and directors for environmental and community health.

• Review of May 2024 financial reports
• Approval of May 14, 2024 draft minutes
• Health Officer update
• Environmental Health Director update
• Community Health Director update

Dispatch Advisory Board (DAB)

The Dispatch Advisory Board will discuss radio network improvement projects, including system design and WSDOT contract negotiations. The board will also review 2024 revenue, expenses, and the $217,462 WA 911 Operations Support Contract application.

• $217,462 FY25 WA 911 Operations Support Contract application
• Radio Network Improvements Project design and costs
• WSDOT contract negotiations
• Tunk Fire Hardening project update
• Mobile Command Trailer project update

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee met on June 6, 2024, but could not hold official votes because a quorum was not present. Discussions included fairground maintenance, the Queen's fundraiser, and potential new QR code badges for exhibitors. The committee also reviewed camping applications and discussed financial updates regarding the fair account balance.

• Fair account balance of $241,593.90
• 252 camping applications received
• Proposed QR code badges costing $2.05 per card
• Potential increase in exhibitor costs to $45.00 next year
• Introduction of three potential committee members

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to address new business. The commission will consider adopting recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding a zone code revision.

• Adoption of recommendations to BOCC on Zone Code Revision
• Approval of minutes from April 22, 2024, and May 20, 2024

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to consider adopting recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on a zone code revision. The agenda also includes approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The rest of the provided material is informational, covering permit processes, setbacks, and bylaws.

• Adopt recommendations to BOCC on zone code revision
• Approval of minutes from April 22, 2024 meeting
• Site analysis fee $97, amendment fee $30
• Review of land use fee $97, does not vest
• Violations punishable by up to 90 days jail or $500 fine

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health is meeting to handle routine administrative business, including approving draft minutes, financial reports, and a contract amendment. Members will also discuss roles and responsibilities with county staff and receive updates from the health officer and department directors. The agenda is preliminary and subject to change.

• Consolidated Contract Amendment #20
• Interlocal Agreement with Okanogan County Juvenile Department
• Financial reports for April 2024
• Treasurer's cash on hand and vouchers & payroll
• Roles & responsibilities discussion with Kait Schilling and Chuck Zimmerman

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a special meeting with the sole agenda item being a discussion with the Board of County Commissioners. No other business or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Discussion with Board of County Commissioners

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee met to handle routine business, including approving minutes, reports, and several motions. Key decisions included raising food vendor booth prices, funding advertising, and covering costs for new goat barn pens. The committee also discussed the Queen's fundraiser, which was postponed due to poor ticket sales.

• Approved raising 20 ft. food vendor booth prices from $500 to $600 and additional foot from $20 to $25
• Approved $500 from Carol's advertising budget for Larissa to advertise on Facebook
• Approved Facilities covering materials for new pens in the goat barn
• Approved $25 late fee for vendor and camping applications
• Postponed Queen's dinner auction due to low ticket sales; new date June 21 at AgPlex

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a regular meeting to approve its agenda and minutes from March 4 and March 25, 2024. New business includes discussion of the zone code, elections for commission positions, and a 15-minute public comment period. The meeting is open to the public in person or via Zoom.

• Zone code discussion
• Commission elections
• Public comment period (15 minutes)
• Approval of minutes from 3-4-24 and 3-25-24

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health is meeting to review administrative reports, financial statements, and a resolution on water recreation facility regulations. The agenda is preliminary and subject to change, with public comment limited to two minutes per person.

• Resolution 2024-01 Water Recreation Facility Regulations
• Draft minutes of March 12, 2024
• Financial reports for March 2024, including cash on hand and vouchers & payroll
• Health Officer, Administrator, and Environmental Health Director updates

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee discussed fair preparations, including approving the premium book changes and opening the roping and barrel racing event to contestants outside the county. Members also reviewed plans for a new ticketing system, a concrete floor for the Little Beef Barn, and various entertainment bookings.

• Approved opening roping and barrel racing to contestants outside Okanogan County
• Discussed Ticket Tomato ticketing system: $1 per ticket, 3.75% card processing fee
• Little Beef Barn concrete project requires building code fixes first
• Approved 2nd reading of premium book changes
• Entertainment contract signed with Romeo Entertainment; headliner announcement planned for May 6

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a continued hearing. The agenda includes approval of the agenda, no minutes to approve, and a continued public hearing with public comment and a recommendation. This is a procedural meeting with no specific items listed.

• Continued hearing with public comment
• No minute approval this meeting
• Planning Commission recommendation/direction
• Set next meeting date for deliberation

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will meet to consider several administrative actions, including resolutions on public records indexing, the 2024 organizational chart, and a designated claims agent. They will also review a consolidated contract amendment and a memorandum of understanding with Confluence Health, along with routine financial reports and updates from health officials.

• Resolution #2024-02 Public Records Indexing & Policy
• Resolution #2024-03 2024 Organizational Chart
• Resolution #2024-04 Designated Claims Agent
• Consolidated Contract Amendment #19
• MOU Between Confluence Health and Okanogan County Public Health District

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee discussed and approved several items, including increasing the goat judge's pay from $300 to $500, removing horses from the Round Robin, and allowing cement in the Little Beef Barn. The sheriff raised concerns about fair security and the need for an emergency plan, which the committee agreed to draft. The committee also approved the premium book changes and discussed entertainment options for the north end.

• Goat judge pay increased from $300 to $500
• Motion to remove horses from Round Robin passed
• Cement aisle approved for Little Beef Barn
• Emergency plan to be drafted with Sheriff Budrow
• Fair budget balance reported at $185,310.88

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to handle administrative items and discuss ongoing planning matters. The agenda includes introducing a new member, updating contact info and term limits, reviewing the planning commission's conduct, and discussing department teamwork. They will also review the redline draft history and explanation, update on the continued public hearing arrangements and advertisements, and discuss the timeline and Agri plex Technology.

• Introduction of newest commission member
• Update on continued public hearing arrangements and advertisements
• Discussion of redline draft history and explanation
• Review of planning commission conduct and department teamwork
• Discussion of Agri plex Technology

Planning Commission

The Okanogan County Regional Planning Commission is holding a special meeting to conduct a public hearing on a zone code update. The agenda also includes approval of the agenda and minutes from the December 11, 2023 meeting. The meeting is open to the public in person or via Zoom.

• Public hearing on zone code update
• Approval of minutes from 12/11/23 meeting

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health is meeting to handle routine administrative business, including approving draft minutes, reviewing financial reports, and receiving updates from the Health Officer, Administrator, and Environmental Health Director. The agenda is preliminary and subject to change.

• Approval of draft minutes from January 9, 2023
• Financial reports for January 2023, including cash on hand and vouchers & payroll
• Blue Sky Minds MOA
• Health Officer, Administrator, and Environmental Health Director updates

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee met on Feb. 1, 2024, to discuss and decide on fair operations. They approved motions to raise ticket prices, increase camping fees, and pay for equipment rentals and software licenses. The committee also discussed the fair book, round robin events, and declined to join the Washington State Fair Event Association due to lack of travel budget.

• Ticket prices raised to $12 for Thursday, Saturday, Sunday; weekend passes to $40; Friday concert stays $20; Sunday veterans/seniors/first responders stay $5
• Camping costs raised $20 across the board
• Approved $550 for Show Works license and ribbon costs
• Approved $1,260 for skid steer and $1,080 for tractor rental from Pape Equipment
• Declined joining Washington State Fair Event Association ($1,500/year) due to no travel budget

Dispatch Advisory Board (DAB)

The Okanogan County Dispatch Advisory Board is meeting to elect a chair and vice chair, approve previous minutes, and consider new board member nominees. They will also review 2023 revenue and expenses, dispatch staffing (12 of 13 positions filled), and updates on the radio network improvements project, including WSDOT contract negotiations, system design costs, and funding strategy.

• Board membership nominees: Dan Christensen (Omak police chief), Kelly Hook (Pateros), Seth Miles (Winthrop alternate), Jon Neil (BOCC), David Yarnell (OCSO alternate)
• Election of Chair and Vice Chair
• 2023 revenue (sales tax) and expenses report
• Dispatch staffing update: 12 of 13 positions filled, 2 in training
• Radio network improvements: WSDOT contract negotiations, ADCOM design report, cost/feature options, funding strategy, timeline

Board of Health

The Okanogan County Board of Health will meet to elect officers, hear a presentation from Blue Sky Minds, and consider administrative actions including financial reports, a contract amendment, and a memorandum of agreement with Blue Sky Minds. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom.

• Board elections
• Blue Sky Minds presentation
• Consolidated Contract Amendment #18
• Blue Sky Minds MOA
• Financial reports and vouchers

Fair Advisory Committee

The Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee met to handle routine business, including electing a new secretary and approving minutes. The new fairgrounds manager, Chuck Ford, outlined his plans for revitalization, including grants, maintenance, and policy changes. The committee also discussed the future of the rodeo, considering its $20,000 cost and potential alternatives, and addressed fair book editing and gate security.

• Elected Laura as new secretary
• New fairgrounds manager Chuck Ford plans grants and maintenance software
• Discussed cancelling $300 Sunny FM ad
• Considered moving concert to Friday night
• Questioned whether rodeo is worth $20,000