Judge, board discuss training vouchers

Wahkiakum County commissioners and District Court Judge Bill Faubion cleared up issues regarding unpaid vouchers Tuesday but are still far from getting them approved.

Last week, Commissioners Blair Brady, Dan Cothren and Lisa Marsyla rejected vouchers totalling approximately $1,700 for training and travel expenses for two courtroom security officers.

Marsyla said she had several issues with the vouchers. For example, she said, Judge Faubion had once told her that he and Judge Mike Sullivan wanted to maximize the guards hours, which are paid by a grant that expires June 30, but it appears the training expense will take away from funds for the guards' wages. She also said she had contacted the grant's administrator and learned the funds could be carried over to the next funding period which starts July 1.

Commissioner Dan Cothren added that the two guards are retired law enforcement officers with plenty of training, and one had been a security officer in Cowlitz County's courts.

Faubion countered that the judges have estimated the number of hours guards will be needed and found there will be money left over because the current funding period started in the fall of 2009, but the guards were hired much later. Faubion said he had contacted grant administrators and was told the funds can't be carried over.

The training is highly recommended, he added, because court security is a new, developing process, and the particular training program the officers would attend will be quite intensive.

"I once had similar concerns," Faubion told Cothren. "I went to a conference, and my eyes were opened. I saw how quickly things can escalate, and shatter people's lives."

Cothren acknowledge that point. He added that there had been a lack of communication; if Faubion had explained the training before submitting the vouchers, the board would probably be more receptive, he said.

"I didn't see this as any issue for concern," Faubion said. "The courts' judges have responsibility for administering court security. We didn't realize you'd be looking over our shoulder to the extent that you are, for better or worse; we felt this was the best use of the funds."

Marsyla commented she wanted to talk again with the grant administrator to determine if the funds can be carried over.

The issue was placed on the board's April 27 agenda.