PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners are expected to approve $300,000 in payments to shelter providers and programs that help the homeless.
Commissioners agreed Monday to call for a July 21 public hearing on a budget emergency to fund 10 agencies as recommended by the Homelessness Task Force.
The hearing is one step in a process that began April 28, when commissioners convened the task force to send a request for proposals to agencies that provide emergency shelters and transitional housing.
“We will find a way to tiptoe through the tulips process-wise and accomplish funding these needs,” Commissioner Jim McEntire said.
Commissioners debated whether to conduct a public hearing or to award the general-fund money as supplemental appropriations in a regular meeting.
County Administrator Jim Jones said either method would comply with county policy. He recommended the public hearing as a “more conservative” and “prudent” approach.
Last month, County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis rejected a pair of warrants for nearly $1.3 million in grants for infrastructure projects because the board did not hold a public hearing or obtain contracts with port and city governments.
County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols has said the treasurer had a “mandatory duty” to issue the warrants.
Commissioner Mike Chapman warned that the money to the shelter providers could be rejected, too.
“They deserve predictability and they deserve a fair process, and I don’t think they’re going to get one because they’re going to get drug into the politics of the board’s process questions,” Chapman said.
“I feel bad for them. I support them. I support helping them. I don’t want to see them get hurt, and many of their supporters are the people who are criticizing the board.”
Barkhuis did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Preference
McEntire said that he would rather award the money through a supplemental appropriation.
“The central fact is there is no ability, legally, as very ably laid out by the prosecuting attorney for warrants not to be honored,” McEntire said.
“If the will of the board is to conduct a public hearing, I’ll be here to conduct it, but I will do so with the understanding that I object to someone dictating a particular interpretation of law and policy on this board.
“That is our prerogative, no one else’s. I think it’s improper for us to acquiesce, but if that’s the will of the board I’m happy to do that.”
McEntire added: “We need to push back when its appropriate to push back.”
Commissioner Bill Peach said he would prefer a public hearing to help the agencies that are struggling to meet demand because of state budget cuts.
“The last thing we want to do is to impede the homeless and access to resources,” Peach said.
“This isn’t the right test case.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.