[Previous entry: "Town Offers Dustpans & Brooms To Businesses"] [Next entry: "EDITORIAL"]

08/09/2006: "Maybe Next Week For Courthouse Decision?"

( Gene Knapp gives input to Council on office space for Council members - County Administrator in background)

The County Council continued on Tuesday to discuss how space in the Courthouse, and the newly purchased Carlson Building, should be remodeled, and which departments should be in which building; but once again they were unable to come to a decision, putting off further discussion until next week when they will review additional information on past studies and future funding options. (Past story)

Chairman Lichter was ready to move on the project, and early on put forth his opinion that in the short-run the Council offices be slightly remodeled, and three new offices for the incoming Council members be constructed in the space now used by the Prosecuting Attorney, who would have his offices, and the Law Library, moved to the Carlson Building; and he also suggested the County Administrator and his staff be moved there as well. He suggested a remodel of the current Council Hearing room so that both the Council and District Court could use it.

But Myhr and Ranker were cautious to move too quickly, given the unknowns of future budget demands, and the lack of a firm plan as to how, and If, a new building could be constructed in the future; and if so, how far out was the future?. Both of the Councilmen were concerned with where the money was to come from if the Council decided to do a major remodel of one or both buildings, or they made minor modifications now with an eye to a future tear-down of the Carlson Building for the construction of a new administrative building.

Lichter had at the beginning of the meeting once again stated that "I think we have had sufficient comment from the elected officials to allow us to make a decision, but if anyone does have anything to add that is new, they may say so now". There was little comment, other than a recommendation from Orcas attorney, and former County Prosecutor Gene Knapp, (who is assumed to be one of the next Councilmen, since he is running un-opposed for the office) that the Council consider having an open office with cubical office space for the full six member Council. The idea was rejected by Ranker and Lichter, but found some encouragement from Myhr, who said he had worked in such an environment in the corporate world, and had found it to be acceptable.

Later on in the meeting, Ranker asked Public Works Director Jon Shannon for his input, and showing some exasperation, Shannon told the Council that they are not going to see the light at the end of "this tunnel" by worrying about the money, "A policy decision can be made by you without a hang-up on money. Funding is the easy part". Both Shannon and newly hired County Administrator Pete Rose advised the Council that once they made a policy decision, the staff would set in motion a process to make it happen. Shannon said it is a matter of priorities, and that "I guarantee there are enough smart people (in government) to make it happen".

When Shannon responded to a statement by Ranker that the Council may wish to receive the results of an advisory ballot vote, by telling the Council that going for voter approval to construct a new building would not be successful, and that the Council should use other funding sources to make it happen, Councilman Myhr leaned forward and advised Shannon to "review that view", asking "How will the community feel if we go forward with a building that they do not want"? and that "It is important to work with the community to have their support". Shannon agreed on the need to have community support, but pointed out that if the voters approve a new administration building, "it would be the first time it happened in the State of Washington".

The dialog between Shannon and Myhr generated apparent additional disagreement between Lichter and Ranker when Lichter said he would "Respectfully remind all of you" that since the Freeholders had in part "sold" the voters on passage of the Charter on the proposition it would be. revenue neutral, and now we are told it is going add $337,000.00 to the budget, "I would suggest this is a very bad moment in the history of this county". But Ranker said "It is our Charter… and there are some real opportunities for the future. We have some flexibility within the Charter".

Ranker then moved back on point and asked staff if "we have information from the old studies that is still good"? This caused Court Clerk Mary Jean Cahail to state that "I feel frustrated. The County has had a long-range plan, and we have spent hundred of thousands of dollars on studies, and all the departments are still maxed out… it is totally amazing to me that nothing has been done! We need to bite the bullet and do something"!

The Council will take up the matter again on Monday and Tuesday of next week.