[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the April 23, 2019 Mason County Commission meeting. There are three ways to watch live at 6 PM: hcc.net/news, MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website (co.mason.wa.us.) You can also watch on demand on hcc.net/news, MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website: co.mason.wa.us. Rebroadcasts on Hood Canal Communications’ local channel are Thursday at 6 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 9 AM.
Here is the meeting’s agenda:
After increases in November, December, January and February, Mason County’s unemployment rate dropped in March. According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, the County’s unemployment rate last month was 7.3 percent. That’s down seven-tenths of a percentage point from February’s revised rate of 8 percent but a half percent higher than the March 2018 rate of 6.8 percent.
[VIDEO] The Mason County Commission plans to increase the salaries of other county elected officials. The question is what is the best method to be fair and equitable especially when it comes to the Sheriff.
In 2016, the Auditor’s, Assessor’s, Clerk’s, Coroner’s and Treasurer’s salaries were amended to 95% of the highest paid Mason County Commissioner and the Sheriff’s salary was increased to 22% above the Elected Official’s salary.
[VIDEO] The Mason County Commission is moving ahead with plans to ask voters to approve a three-tenths of a percent Public Safety Sales Tax. This increase in sales tax is estimated to general $1.3 Million in additional revenue for Criminal Justice purposes only. The funds would be split between the County and the City of Shelton. Under state law, 60 percent of the funds go the County and 40 percent goes to the City. During a briefing Monday morning, the County Commissioners voiced support with placing the measure on the August Primary Ballot.
Although not required, the County Commission will be scheduling a public hearing on placing the measure on the ballot for May 7th.
A reminder: The Mason County Auditor’s Office is holding a Candidate Workshop on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Elections Department at 411 N. 5th Street in Shelton.
This is a great opportunity for anyone who is thinking about running for office this year. The workshop will include information about: open positions, filing for office, election deadlines, candidate statements, sign regulations and requesting voter information.
A bill proposed by 5th graders from Shelton’s Bordeaux Elementary has passed both houses of the State Legislature. Substitute Senate Bill 5028 declares September as the Month of the Kindergartner, encouraging elementary schools to celebrate young students as they begin their lives in education.
The bill unanimously passed the Senate February 26th and unanimously passed the House on April 17th behind the efforts of Bordeaux students Ethan R., Graysen R., and Anthony P., with help from their teacher, Mary Clift.
The following is a summary of road construction and maintenance scheduled on state highways around Mason County and adjacent areas from April 21, 2019 to April 27, 2019.
Maintenance
Highway: SR 119 Region: Olympic County: Mason Location: Milepost(s) 0.8 to 10.9
Description: One-way alternating traffic with flaggers as utility crews replace lines.
Work Schedule: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each weekday through Wednesday, May 1.
National Guard members are getting a pay increase when fighting state wildfires, thanks to a new law. House Bill 1137 updates the state active duty compensation statute to a rate consistent with Department of Natural Resource rates for Guard members called to state service for wildland fire response. The Governor signed the bill this week.
