Commissioners, judges vie over bailiff position

Wahkiakum County commissioners and the county's two judges are at odds over funding for a bailiff position.

Superior Court Judge Michael Sullivan and District Court Judge Bill Faubion have been awarded state funds for a bailiff and some court security equipment.

The judges asked, in writing, that the commissioers sign a contract on Tuesday that would have employed retired Deputy Sheriff Hans York as the bailiff.

Commissioners, however, declined to sign the contract.

"I just about flipped out when I read the hold harmless paragraph," said board Chair Dan Cothren. "This is not a security consultant. This opens the doors for a lot of liability."

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow, who had approved the form of the contract, said there was no more liability than under other county contracts. The letter from the judges noted that the contract was based on the contract with Probation Officer Bill Weiss.

That didn't allay the commissioners concerns.

"When we approved them going for the grant, it wasn't final approval," said Commissioner Lisa Marsyla. "I wanted it to be a contractor, not an employee."

Brady said he agreed with Cothren's concerns about liability.

After discussion, the board said they would contact security firms to see what kinds of bonds they have for liabilty coverage and then discuss the issue further with the judges.