Why pay out of county engineers?

To The Eagle:

Historically Wahkiakum County has had problems finding a Professional Engineer to fill our public works and county engineer position. I know that in the past it has been difficult to find a P.E. to reside in our beautiful county. We spend a lot of money on consultant engineers to stamp and sign the plans the county needs. So ideally a P.E. that already resides in county with a civil engineering degree who has management and design experience is what we need. If that engineer could design, draw up plans, and sign off on them as well as doing other duties required of public works, that would save Wahkiakum county a lot of money that is now going to nonresidents that do not pay taxes in our county.

We keep hearing about a tight budget and not enough money to pay for anything but essential services. Why does the county want to pay three people to do a job that one qualified person could do?

Yes, I know of someone who fits the qualifications plus lives in the county. Right now that person is commuting to a job but needs a full time position with a challenge to be enticed to work here. I believe that he has turned in an application, but to my knowledge has not been contacted.

Why do the commissioners continue to pay out of county consultant engineers when we have a well-qualified county resident P.E. who has applied for the job?

Kay Walters

Skamokawa