The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Taxpayers might not realize the good news, but Wahkiakum County hasn't set tax levies for this year.

That should change early today (Thursday) when the commissioners reconvene a recessed meeting.

Commissioners received resolutions to set the levies for the year at their Tuesday meeting, but Commissioner Lisa Marsyla, who had just returned from vacation, said she wanted to check the figures.

The commissioners are shifting $200,000 from the county road levy to the Current Expense Fund, and when Marsyla learned Treasure Paula Holloway hadn't seen the resolution and figures, Marsyla said she wanted to make sure the shift was done correctly.

The resolutions had been included in the board's consent agenda, which is usually non-controversial items which are approved as a group. Marsyla had made the motion to approve the consent agenda but asked that the levy resolutions be excluded so she could study them.

"You shouldn't have made the motion to approve the consent agenda," commented commission Chair Blair Brady. He said the resolutions would be withdrawn and discussed when the board reconvenes the recessed meeting at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Assessor Sulema Zerr, who calculates the levies, commented that she was behind on the resolutions.

In subsequent business, she asked the board to authorize her to apply for unexpected grant funds which would allow her to increase hours of a part-time employee, who, Zerr said, she needs to help her completed required projects.

In the end, commissioners voted to allow Zerr to apply for the grant, but they added that the grantor must approve Zerr's proposed use of funds to restore the employee's hours.

In discussion, Marsyla closely questioned Zerr about the proposal and appropriate use of the grant funds.

"You pick this to death," Zerr said to Marsyla. "I ask you to just sign it."

"As a county commissioner, voters put it in my hands to make sure all the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted," Marsyla said. "I will always ask questions. Otherwise, why have a county commissioner."

"You get what you pay for," Zerr said. "I'm understaffed."

In yet other business, commissioners were hesitant to approve a request for compensation from the Grays River Habitat Enhancement District.

The district asked the county to cover a $3,225 bill from its consulting engineer for analysis of stream flow in Seal Slough.

Commissioners noted the habitat district and the engineer had scheduled the work after meeting with the commissioners and representatives of Ducks Unlimited and Columbia Land Trust to talk about drainage issues in the lower Grays River Valley. The bill noted the work had been requested by Commissioner Marsyla.

"I didn't talk anything about money," Marsyla said Tuesday. "I take offense to that. I said anybody could go and do the work."

"I agree," said Commissioner Dan Cothren. "We hadn't asked them for the work."

Commissioner Brady reminded his colleagues that the habitat district had donated rock for strengthening Mill Road, a donation that probably exceeded $3,225 in value. In light of that, he said he didn't have a problem paying the bill.

Brady called for a motion, but there was none.

"I say we just let it die and see what happens," Marsyla said.