Commissioners approve emergency manager position

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a variety of business at their meeting on Tuesday.

The board approved a request from the sheriff's department to create a temporary emergency services department.

Sheriff Jon Dearmore and Undersheriff Mark Howie explained that the county is picking up grants that formerly went to the Town of Cathlamet for an emergency services director.

Howie presented a budget analysis that showed that by assuming the grants, the county could have an emergency services director, the grant revenue would lower the county's expenditure for similar services through the sheriff's budget by $4,200.

In 2012, the grants should provide $49,152 in revenue, and the program should cost $54,496. The difference is less than the $8,339 which the county now budgets for emergency services.

Commissioners agreed to approve the grant program for the end of 2011. The sheriff can present the 2012 program in its 2012 budget proposal, said Chair Lisa Marsyla.

Commissioners also approved a renewal of a contract with the state for chemical dependence and prevention services.

The contract provides for continuation of current funding levels, said program director Chris Holmes. However, with the state considering another round of budget cuts, amendments could come next year with reductions that would affect the programs.

There is already talk of severe reductions of funding for chemical dependency services, he said. The reductions could cause not only the elimination of services in Wahkiakum County but also in Cowlitz County, Holmes said.

"There would be no place for people in our county to go for services," he said. That will likely lead to a big impact on law enforcement and the court system, he added.