PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has inked a three-year contract with its newest hearing examiner.
County commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to approve a personal services agreement with Sound Law Center for the services of Andrew Reeves.
Reeves, the chief legal writer for the Seattle-based law center that specializes in land-use hearings, will earn a flat fee of $2,250 for each hearing he conducts for the county.
Reeves, 34, is also the primary hearing examiner for the cities of Tumwater, Lake Stevens and Kent.
He will travel to Clallam County when needed for hearings.
Hearing examiners conduct formal hearings and adjudicate land-use matters, including appeals of Department of Community Development decisions and a variety of land-use permits in a quasi-judicial capacity.
A volunteer committee examined the qualifications of four candidates who applied to be the hearing examiner.
Commissioners interviewed each of the candidates in a public meeting May 23 and selected Reeves in a May 31 work session.
The $2,250 fixed fee is the same amount that former hearing examiners Lauren Erickson and William Payne received.
One primary
Clallam County Community Development Director Mary Ellen Winborn recommended in January that commissioners hire one primary hearing examiner.
Commissioner Mark Ozias thanked Winborn for her feedback.
He also thanked the “citizen volunteers who took time to help us with this decision-making process.”
“I’m looking forward to the next three years,” Ozias said.
Commissioners opened their two-hour business meeting by paying tribute to a pair of longtime employees who are retiring.
Sheriff’s Deputy Melvin Kempf was recognized for more than 26 years of service to Clallam County.
Health and Human Services Director Iva Burks was recognized for more than a decade of service to the county.
Sheriff Bill Benedict and Undersheriff Ron Cameron spoke on Kempf’s behalf.
Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green, county Board of Health chairwoman; Dr. Tom Locke, former county health officer; and Dr. Christopher Frank, current county health officer, paid tribute to Burks.
A reception for Kempf was held at the courthouse Tuesday.
A public reception for Burks will be from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
