PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners today will consider certifying the 2020 road fund levy and the $7.61 million in revenue it will produce.
The annual levy certification identifies income the Road Department will receive based on the $9.86 billion total valuation of all property in the county.
The road fund levy pays for chip sealing, snow plowing and other maintenance on the county’s 500-mile road system.
“This is something that we do every year at this time,” County Engineer Ross Tyler told commissioners in a Monday work session.
Unlike most counties in Washington, Clallam County does not divert road levy funds into its general fund for day-to-day operations, Commissioner Bill Peach said.
“That’s good news for us,” Peach said.
Clallam County is eligible for more grants because it does not divert road funds, Tyler said.
“Over the years that I’ve worked here, I very much appreciate, even in tough, tough times, the board managing to take care of the budget issues without tapping into this,” Tyler said.
“Because it does potentially impact millions of dollars of road income.”
Of the $7.61 million collected this year, $500,000 will be used for Clallam County Sheriff’s Office traffic enforcement, according to levy certification documents.
Commissioners are expected to certify the 2020 road fund levy when they gather at 10 a.m. today in Room 160 at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angles.
In other discussion, commissioners reviewed the Parks, Fair and Facilities Department’s request for proposals and qualifications for 2020 architecture and engineering consultants.
“We have a set of capital projects that are already approved for this year, but we also have things that come up during the course of the year,” county Parks, Fair and Facilities Director Joel Winborn said.
“We can contact one of the people that submit. We get it advertised not only locally but in the Seattle area.”
Winborn also briefed commissioners on an upcoming project to replace the 40-year-old elevator at the Clallam County Courthouse.
The elevator serves a basement and two main levels. A contractor was expected to be on site this week.
“There’s no set date for this, but I know its going to be an impact,” Winborn said of the 2020 project.
Winborn said the elevator replacement would take “a few weeks” to complete.
“I’m glad to know a plan is being built to minimize the impact,” Commissioner Mark Ozias said.
“This is going to be, even under the best of circumstances, a significant disruption for the courts, a significant disruption for the public and a long enough period of time that I think it’s important for us to make sure that we resource that effort appropriately.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
