EYE ON JEFFERSON: County will eye elected officials’ pay

Published 12:01 am Sunday, September 14, 2014

The three Jefferson County commissioners are expected to raise salaries of several elected officials when they meet Monday.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

The new salaries, which would take effect in January, are tied to the salaries of a Superior Court judge, which are set by the state and was increased to $156,363 on Sept. 1.

The salaries for assessor, auditor, clerk and treasurer would be 47 percent of this amount, $73,490, while the sheriff would get 56 percent, or $85,014, and the prosecutor 84 percent, or $131,344, of which the county pays 40 percent.

The salary resolution is on the consent agenda and will not be discussed at the meeting.

The commissioners also will hear an update to its six-year transportation plan.

The plan is addressed yearly on a rolling basis, looking ahead for six years.

Projects for improvement of the county’s 399-mile public road system are generally funded by state and federal sources, so for every $1 the county spends on roads, it gets $2 in return, the plan says.

Other items on the consent agenda include:

■ Resolutions to subsidize nursing programs in four county school districts at a total cost of $37,192.

■ An agreement to allocate $7,750 to a birth-to-3-years-old program in the Port Townsend School District.

■ Acceptance of $24,533 from the state Becca Task Force for programs and services for at-risk youths.

Port Townsend city

The Port Townsend City Council will discuss a joint services agreement with the Public Development Authority concerning Fort Worden State Park at a meeting Monday.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The agreement covers the use of social media and tourism promotions, encouraging people who come to town with the purpose of visiting Fort Worden or downtown Port Townsend to include the other in their visit.

Fort Worden is renovating its lodging options, which will generate more money for the lodging tax fund, according to the agreement.

Assistance will include resources such as equipment, supplies, personnel and facilities, the agreement states.

The council also will conduct a first reading of an ordinance amending interim land-use regulations for the area of Sixth and 10th streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way. Final approval would come with a second reading.

The council also will consider accepting a donation of land in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor from the Jefferson Land Trust.

Council office hours, during which members of the public can discuss any topic with a member of the City Council, take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the mayor’s office at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

Other city committee meetings, which are in conference rooms at City Hall, 250 Madison St., unless otherwise indicated, are:

■ Historic Preservation Committee — Special meeting, 3 p.m. Tuesday, first-floor conference room.

■ Civil Service Commission — Special meeting, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, second-floor conference room.

■ Planning Commission — Workshop for overview of the comprehensive plan and mandatory update process, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, council chambers.

Jefferson Transit

Jefferson Transit Authority board members will consider purchasing a city of Port Townsend building for $131,890 when it meets Tuesday.

The board will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Port Townsend Fire Station, 701 Harrison St.

The building at 440 12th St. is owned by the city on land owned by Jefferson Transit.

After change of ownership, the Jefferson County Visitor Center would continue to operate out of the building until Jefferson Transit occupies it March 1.

The board also will consider an interlocal agreement with East Jefferson Fire-Rescue allowing the fire department to use new Transit fuel facilities that are under construction.

The board also will discuss composition of the board.

Jefferson PUD

Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at 250 Chimacum Road, Port Hadlock.

The agenda was not available as of Saturday.

Jefferson Healthcare

Jefferson Healthcare commissioners will meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital auditorium, 834 Sheridan St., Port Townsend.

The agenda was not available as of Saturday.