Highlights of Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Meeting Wednesday February 27

Veterans program examined

During a work session the board heard a presentation from Veterans’ Services Officer Phil Simmons, who asked the commissioners to consider increasing his level of compensation under the veterans services contract.

Simmons, who took over the contract in 2011, said the position has required more work – an average of 35 hours a week – than he originally envisioned. Without an increase in the contract, he and his wife Buffy Simmons, who shares the program duties with him, would likely have to cut back on their hours, he said.

The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs provides $43,100 a year for the program. Clatsop County provides an additional $6,200.

The veterans’ services officer assists local military vets in applying for benefits through the federal Veterans Administration. Simmons said since he took over the contract, the total monthly payments coming to Clatsop County vets has increased from about $57,000 to $80,000. There are currently 4,518 veterans in the county, he said.

County Manager Scott Somers said staff would develop three funding options for the program contract and present them to the board at its March 27 meeting.

Other business

In other business the board:

-Approved an ordinance making “housekeeping” amendments to the county’s Land and Water Development and Use Ordinance and Standards document to clarify ambiguous language, further define procedures and correct references to state rules.

-Designated Human Resources Director Dean Perez as County Manager Pro Tem. Perez, who also serves as Emergency Management Director, will assume the duties of county manager in the event of the absence of County Manager Scott Somers. Finance Director Mike Robison was designated as alternate County Manager Pro Tem.

-Approved a letter of support for an application to the Business Oregon Industrial Lands Certification Program for the county’s North Coast Business Park in Warrenton. The program offers a statewide inventory of properties ready for industrial development.

-Approved a letter to Stimson Lumber company asking that it allow the Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club continued use of a small piece of Stimson property east of Arch Cape for a radio repeater.