Commissioners act on new job positions

Wahkiakum County commissioners had resolutions to consider creating new positions in county departments when the board met Wednesday.

Sheriff Mark Howie has created a sergeant's position for the sheriff's department, and Public Works Director Pete Ringen presented redefined positions for his department's staff that, he has said, more closely represent the tasks the employees handle.

The county employee's union has adopted the job descriptions for the positions into their contract with the county.

The new sergeant would be responsible for supervising and coordinating activities of deputies, providing or coordinating training, and handling other duties.

In anticipation of approval of the sergeant's position, Sheriff Howie announced last Friday that Deputy Sheriff Gary Howell would fill the new sergeant's position.

"Please join with me in congratulating Gary Howell as the new Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Sergeant," Howie said in an email announcing the move.

"I have no doubt Gary will be a positive addition as we endeavor for the first time with a first line supervisor in patrol. All three candidates competed very well and showed a great deal of competence for this position in the testing process."

New positions in the Public Works Department are Public Works Accounting Manager, Assistant Public Works Accountant, and Public Works Engineering Technician.

The accounting manager will perform high level administrative duties and is assistant to the public works director. Duties will include accounting, account reporting, and handling grant reimbursement work.

The assistant accountant will maintain accounts and handle general office duties. The engineering technician will help design projects, perform inspections and otherwise assist the public works director.

Also on Wednesday, the board approved a recommendation from Ringen to hire Sargeant Engineers for preliminary design of a rock buttress to stabilize a sliding slope under Loop Road. The Grays River flows at the base of the slope, and part of the slope slid last winter, leading to a closure of one lane of the road.

A slide on Loop Road in December of 2011 necessitated the closure of the east bound lane. Subsequently, a preliminary study was completed to narrow the scope of repair options to those financially feasible and permissible within the environmental regulatory constraints of adjacent Grays River. Funding sources for the repair were explored. The preliminary study found that a structural solution to stabilize the slope was the most viable alternative. Additional evaluation of a rock buttress was suggested, however preliminary review was unfavorable, as a stable slope for the buttress would likely impact Grays River.

A preliminary study provided a foundation of information upon which to seek federal highway administration grant funding for the repair of the slide. In the fall of 2012, Public Works was notified by Washington State Department of Transportation that funds had been authorized for preliminary engineering work on Loop Road.

The cost of the work by Sargent Engineers and their sub-consultants is $81,273.00. The local grant match share of this work is 13.5 percent or $10,972.00. This agreement is for the preliminary engineering phase, which is the only phase of work for which grant funds have been authorized.

New positions in the assessor’s office are Residential Appraiser and Deputy Assessor, Chief Deputy Assessor, and Deputy Assessor. The residential appraiser/deputy assessor will perform clerical duties, conduct field inspections and appraise properties. The Chief Deputy Assessor is in charge of the office in the Assessor’s absence, performs clerical duties, conducts field inspections, and manages the senior citizen/disabled persons exemption program. The Deputy Assessor is in charge of data entry for annual property revaluation and performs clerical duties. This is a part-time temporary position for 2012 that is not to exceed 89.5 hours per month.