PORT ANGELES — Jim McEntire was appointed vice chairman of the Board of Clallam County Commissioners on Tuesday in his first business meeting as a commissioner, while Commissioner Mike Doherty was reappointed chairman.
McEntire, a Sequim Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Linda Barnfather by 4 percentage points in the general election last November.
He was sworn into office by Clallam County District Court Judge Pick Porter on Friday.
Commissioner Mike Chapman cast motions for the appointments.
Chapman was the vice chairman last year.
Last month, the three commissioners approved a $78.8 million budget, including capital projects and a $31.2 million general fund budget for day-to-day operations, including wages and salaries for 381 employees.
Commissioners gather for weekly work sessions Monday mornings and cast votes in business meetings every Tuesday.
Commissioners are elected to four-year terms.
The board took on a new look for the first time in 11 years with McEntire replacing former Commissioner Steve Tharinger.
Tharinger did not seek re-election in order to focus on his other job as a state legislator.
Tharinger serves Clallam and Jefferson counties and about half of Grays Harbor County as a 24th District representative.
McEntire was scheduled for a meet and greet with county staffers later Tuesday followed by an orientation session.
One of McEntire’s first votes was a “yes” on a resolution authorizing a reduction in service hours for the Forks public health section of the Health and Human Services Department.
Due to potential state cuts, the county will not replace a part-time customer service specialist who resigned Dec. 27.
As a result, the office will be closed Mondays and Wednesdays.
The office, which had been open four days per week, will now be open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Commissioners also set a Jan. 17 hearing on an emergency budget furlough policy.
County workers will take 16 unpaid furlough days this year.
Union members voted to approve the furloughs in order to save jobs.
The furlough days will be Mondays scattered throughout the year.
The first is Jan. 30.
McEntire, who became a county employee Jan. 1, abstained from voting on last month’s meeting minutes and payroll because he was not in office at the time.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
