WASHINGTON

It took the Washington County supervisors less than 20 minutes Tuesday to hold three public hearings, pass three first readings of three ordinances, and handle personnel changes, but more than an hour to fully discuss what to do for 135th Street along Timberline Estates III without a decision. So, they tabled it to next week pending obtaining more information.

The discussion ranged from types of surfacing, including a dirt segment, gravel and eventual paving using either asphalt or concrete for the three-quarter mile stretch that could make the Class B into a Class A road. A major factor were costs, including possible sharing agreements with the developer as well as with property owners. There was agreement that some form of improvement should be done soon as traffic in the segment averages 300 vehicles daily.

Another issue is maintenance and who would be responsible prior to it becoming a paved county roadway within possibly five years.

However, it was noted several times that costs are not likely to go down, and that some cost sharing agreement should be considered as well as other funding sources. There was agreement that there will be some improvements made this year and likely they would involve reallocation of some funds.

Of the three Public Hearings, the first authorizing the county ambulance services to bill for service and collect unpaid amounts from patients had unanimously approval for the first reading. The second public hearing, for regulation of county wind energy conversion systems and the third, for an amendment to the county subdivision ordinance, also were approved. The board will have two additional readings for the three ordinances.

The main personnel change was the termination for Katrina Alternhofen as the interim ambulance services director, effective Sept. 2. In noting the change, the board expressed its appreciation for her service until the hiring of Jordan Wright as the new permanent director.

The board also acknowledged a $1,000 donation to the service, but since it was from a patient, HIPPA doesn’t permit it, and it will go into the general fund.

In other business, the board approved a Quit Claim Deed for an estate in Haskins, a resolution for an amendment to the Secondary Roads Five-Year Road Plan, the Secondary Roads quarterly report, for purchase of a new tractor from JJ Company, West Liberia, for the low bid of $104,200 and the appointment of Darren Beaseley to the Veterans Affairs Commission, for a term ending June 30, 2025.