PORT ANGELES — Clallam County lawmakers approved $962,717 in emergency funds that were not included in the 2009 budget.
The largest debatable emergency was a $500,000 allotment for increased insurance premiums and settled claims. They were adopted by the three commissioners after a public hearing on Tuesday.
Debatable emergencies are items of increased expenditures that were not in the original budget. County Administrator Jim Jones recommended the changes to Clallam County Commissioners Mike Doherty, Steve Tharinger and Mike Chapman.
“We can handle all of these,” Jones said.
The changes were discussed in an earlier work session. No public comment was taken in a brief hearing, after which the commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the funding.
Environmental quality, an arm of the Department of Community Development, spent $203,000 in property purchases.
Other expenditures are:
• $126,631 for Sheriff’s Office operations, including a salary increase, a miscalculation of a retirement benefit and equipment.
• $86,122 to partially fund a radio system in the Sheriff’s Office equipment reserve.
• $16,000 for subscriptions to the law library.
• $19,964 for a community wildfire protection plan prepared by Peninsula College.
• $10,000 in existing funds that were not allocated in the water quality cleanup budget.
• $1,000 in 2008 money being paid this year by the assessor.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved supplemental appropriations, reductions and revisions in the 2009 budget.
Each of the changes had been discussed in earlier work sessions.
They totaled $495,171 for supplemental appropriations, $679,793 for budget reductions and $63,550 for budget revisions.
Pet requirements
No public comment was taken in a second public hearing Tuesday on a proposed ordinance to amend county code to uncouple the proof of rabies vaccination requirement from the pet licensing form.
The board may take action in a continued public hearing on the ordinance at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 13.
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict proposed the ordinance to improve licensing compliance, which translates into money for the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, based in Port Angeles.
Most of the counties in the state, including Jefferson, have already uncoupled the two requirements.
Meanwhile, the board approved a $45,766 contract with K&H Printers for ballots and other services for the Nov. 3 general election. K&H will produce 45,234 ballots for the election.
“This comes out to $1.01 per ballot,” County Auditor Patty Rosand told the commissioners.
Ballots come with three pre-addressed envelopes. The mailing rate is less than 10 cents per ballot. Ballots will be mailed on Oct. 14
The board also signed proclamations recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness month and Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention month.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
