Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners Notes

Monday, September 8, 2025

11:00AM     County Commissioners       Chairman Fulmer

  1. Gunner Fulmer, Todd Kimball and Bertha Clayton All present

  2. Silence Cell Phones

  3. Declarations re: conflict of interest. Tod Kimball and Bertha Clayton have no conflicts, no additions and no deletions. Gunner Fulmer has no conflicts, 1 addition and no deletions. Gunner Fulmer added discussion of the Columbia County Walk About Shuttle Bus from Walla Walla to Dayton on September 30, 2025.

  4. Revised Agenda Approved 3-0.

  5. Pledge of Allegiance

  6. No public comments were made.

  7. Action Agenda Items:

  8. 1) Review vouchers/ warrants/electronic payments. No questions.

  9. 2) Review submitted Request for Hiring Freeze Exception. Request for exception by Community Health Department for Homeless Housing Data Analyst. Approved 3-0.

       Also request for exception by Community Health Department for Environmental Health Senior Office Assistant. Approved 3-0.

   h) Consent Agenda Items:

       1)Resolution- Minutes of County Commissioners proceedings for August 25 and 26, 2025 and cancelled sessions of September 2 and 3, 2025. Approved 3-0.

    i)Action Agenda Items:

  1. County vouchers/warrants/electronic payments as follows: 4056251 through 4056272 totaling $1,328,448.39 (August payroll); 4276110 through 4276137 totaling $1,363861.08 (benefits and deductions); 4276146 through 4276325 totaling $1,189,952.49; 4276139 through 4276145 totaling $2,082.13 (travel). Approved 3-0.

  2. Resolution- Approving Detention Use Contract between Grant County, Oregon and Walla Walla County Department of Court Services, Juvenile Justice Center. Norrie Gregoire said that Grant County, Oregon near the John Day Area rarely has need for an extra bed at the Walla Walla Juvenile Jail and Grant County has $9,000.00 set aside in case they need to find an extra bed throughout the year. Approved 3-0.

  3. Proposal 2025 09-08 Maint-1 Approval of UMC-DES COP-002 to use construction savings contingency funds for Courthouse Masonry Repairs project. Rob Grandstaff said that they have a savings of $38,780.00 remaining from the County Court House Restoration and would like to use some the money for re-painting the wooden trim around the new Courthouse windows and also some interior painting. Approved 3-0.

  4. Proposal 2025 09-08 Maint-2 Approval to surplus Sheriff’s Office polling file cabinets and expenses related to removal of files. Rob Grandstaff said Rolling Cabinet files do not have a secondary market to sell and will be removed and scrapped. Rob said there is $13,500.00 available to cover cost. Approved 3-0.

  5. Proposal 2025 09-08 Maint-3 Approval of purchasing signs and posts and to provide Facilities labor to install signage on County property to support the adopted parking ordinance and purchase of signage for 500 W. Main Treasurer, Assessor, Licensing Building. Rob Grandstaff said the money will come from Current Expenses. Approved 3-0.

  6. Authorize Chair to sign Community Outreach Fund Agreement between Walla Walla County and Fort Walla Walla Museum. The Walla Walla will award $42,138.00 to help preserve the Blue Mountain locomotive that is currently on display at the Fort Walla Walla Museum.   This year is the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad that connected Walla Walla to Wallula. Approved 3-0.

  8. j) Miscellaneous business to come before the Board. "Week Without Driving” Monday, September 29 – Sunday, October 5, 2025. Has been encouraged by Walla Walla County Commissioner to highlight the obstacles that older people and people with limitations face every day and the health benefits and less pollution of walking. Approved 3-0.

  9. k) Review reports and correspondence; hear committee and meeting reports. None.

  10. l) Review of constituent concerns/possible updates re: past concerns. Bertha talked about the lack of accessibility to the grandstands and portable restrooms and the need for improvement at the Fairgrounds for people with mobility limitations. Todd agreed with Bertha about the accessibility issue and Todd also talked about the Fairground seating which are made of fiberglass and are in need of repair and or replacement. All three commissioners talked about the benefits of the New Directional Speakers which limit the sound from going everywhere and annoying the people living nearby. They also complimented the Shuttle Service for the Fair.

  11. Gunner talked about the “Translate Live Program” that was discussed at the Philadelphia Meeting he attended. The software will translate 250 languages quickly to anyone with a smartphone, which allows an individual to scan a QR code, enter a preferred language and listen live.

  13. Recess 12:00PM - 1:25PM

  15. 1:25PM Back in session

  1. Public comments. None.

  3. 1:30PM Public Works Department        Dan Mack, Director   Joel Dickerson P.E.

a) Action Agenda Items:

  1. 1)Resolution- Setting a date of public hearing to consider the request by Bourgmont Vineyard Holding, LLC for the vacation of portion of the right of way of Mill Creek Road in the vicinity of Section 16, Township 7 North, Range 37 East, W.M. Joel Dickerson talked the request by BourgmontVineyard Holding needing to make their driveway more accessible. Todd asked why the County is making the request instead of Bourgmont. Joel said it would benefit the County and Bourgmont. Approved 3-0.

  2. 2)Resolution- Signing a Local Agency Real Estate Professional Services Agreement for Meinburg Bridge right of way acquisition services. Joel said that Meinburg Bridge is scheduled to be built 2027/2028. Approved 3-0.

  3. Josh said he will have updates at next week's meeting about Speed Limits on Highway 12.

1:45PM     Human Resources/Risk Manager    Josh Griffith/Gabe Acosta

  1. Action Agenda Item

  2. 1)New position Approval Form- Temporary Part-time Finance Specialist for Treasurers Office. Aproved 3-0.

  3. 2) Revised Job Description Approval Form- On-call Death Investigator for Coroner's Office. Request to raise job Description from Grade 1 to Grade 4 because of state required accreditations now required. Both Todd and Bertha were surprised by the big jump in Grade and pay. The current employee has already been working as a Grade 4 at the underpaid Grade 1 pay for several years. Approved 3-0.

  4. Josh said there are currently 8 job requisitions.

 2:00PM Closed Session for Executive Session.

Notes by Clint Rehn