Vancouver, WA – The Board of Clark County Commissioners will consider freezing pay at 2008 levels for 286 management employees and at 2009 levels for 159 hourly workers not represented by labor organizations.
If the Board approves a proposed pay plan for 2010 at its regular meeting on Tuesday, the county would save about $1.3 million in salaries, wages and related benefits, such as employer contributions to Social Security, according to Human Resources Director Francine Reis.
She noted that management employees would face a second year without any pay increases, except for those promoted to higher level jobs. As a result, projected county payroll and related costs have already been reduced by roughly $2 million for 2009 and 2010.
“The county is facing extraordinary financial constraints and working hard to reduce spending plans to prevent a budget deficit of about $12.7 million,” Reis said. “The Board has asked administrators and managers to make every effort to minimize additional layoffs, which unfortunately leaves no room for pay increases.”
Clark County currently employs 1639 people. It has eliminated 207 positions since January 2009 through various personnel actions, including unfilled vacancies, layoffs, retirements and reorganizations.
To provide many public services, the county depends on sales tax collections tied to new construction and retail sales. Those sectors have been hard hit during the economic downturn. Property tax is another major source of revenue. However, it is capped by state law.
Most county programs are facing their third round of budget cuts since 2008. Some departments, such as Community Development and Public Health were cut harder and sooner, due to difficulties in the construction industry and with statewide funding for health programs.
Friday, November 13, 2009
H1N1 vaccine clinic to open evenings Nov. 4 - 6
Vancouver, WA -- Public Health will change hours of operation for its H1N1 vaccine clinic to accommodate working parents and prevent children from missing school. Clinic hours will remain 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 3. On Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Friday, Nov. 6, the clinic will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be no morning hours. The clinic is located at 6100 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Washington.
Because of the very small amounts of vaccine received to date in Southwest Washington, Public Health is administering vaccine to the following groups only:
§ Pregnant women because they are at high risk of complications from H1N1.
§ Healthcare workers because they can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients and also because increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals could reduce healthcare system capacity.
§ Children ages 6 months through age 19 in group settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
§ Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months, so they don’t pass the virus to their infants.
As vaccine production increases over the coming weeks, health officials expect enough vaccine will eventually be available for everyone. For more information, visit www.FluNewsSWWashington.org or call 1-877-510-2772.
Because of the very small amounts of vaccine received to date in Southwest Washington, Public Health is administering vaccine to the following groups only:
§ Pregnant women because they are at high risk of complications from H1N1.
§ Healthcare workers because they can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients and also because increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals could reduce healthcare system capacity.
§ Children ages 6 months through age 19 in group settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
§ Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months, so they don’t pass the virus to their infants.
As vaccine production increases over the coming weeks, health officials expect enough vaccine will eventually be available for everyone. For more information, visit www.FluNewsSWWashington.org or call 1-877-510-2772.
Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, Nov. 5
Flag lowering honors fallen soldier from Vancouver
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Nov. 5, in memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Christopher Walz of Vancouver. Walz was killed this week in Afghanistan when his military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Nov. 6.
Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition.
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Nov. 5, in memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Christopher Walz of Vancouver. Walz was killed this week in Afghanistan when his military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Nov. 6.
Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Open house to gather input on future of rural lands Nov. 10
Vancouver WA – An open house dealing with rural lands will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Dollars Corner fire station, 21609 N.E. 72nd Ave. (Fire District 11). The open house begins at 6 p.m.
The Board of Clark County Commissioners convened a rural lands task force in June 2009 to create recommendations to the Board on the following specific issues:
· Rural center economic development opportunities
· Maintenance of farming and forestry operations
· Rural economic development opportunities
· Rural areas that are next to develop (future urban reserve areas)
· Rural areas where natural landscapes dominate over the built environment.
The task force has met 11 times. The discussions so far have been about the potential for increasing densities and economic opportunities in rural centers, about how best to preserve agricultural activities, and about the county’s forest and mining policies. The purpose of the open house is to ask the public for ideas on these and any other topics affecting rural areas in the county.
The task force members are Ginger Burr, Sharon Bussler, Ingrid Dankmeyer, Dan Dupuis, Russ Grattan, Doug Hagedorn, David Halme, Rocque Merritt, Monty Multanen, Mike Posey, Danny Walsh, Byron Woltersdorf, Bill Zimmerman, and Robert Zumstein.
The Board of Clark County Commissioners convened a rural lands task force in June 2009 to create recommendations to the Board on the following specific issues:
· Rural center economic development opportunities
· Maintenance of farming and forestry operations
· Rural economic development opportunities
· Rural areas that are next to develop (future urban reserve areas)
· Rural areas where natural landscapes dominate over the built environment.
The task force has met 11 times. The discussions so far have been about the potential for increasing densities and economic opportunities in rural centers, about how best to preserve agricultural activities, and about the county’s forest and mining policies. The purpose of the open house is to ask the public for ideas on these and any other topics affecting rural areas in the county.
The task force members are Ginger Burr, Sharon Bussler, Ingrid Dankmeyer, Dan Dupuis, Russ Grattan, Doug Hagedorn, David Halme, Rocque Merritt, Monty Multanen, Mike Posey, Danny Walsh, Byron Woltersdorf, Bill Zimmerman, and Robert Zumstein.
It's Not Too Late to Register for an Evergreen Public Schools' Community Tour
Vancouver, Wash. – Superintendent John Deeder invites you to join him for the first Evergreen Public Schools' Community Tour of the school year on Thursday, November 5, 2009. The tour begins and ends at the Clark County Skills Center from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Patrons will visit Union High School's, performing arts, engineering, fitness, leadership and business classes; Cascade Middle School will showcase, math, science, technical and literacy programs; and Endeavour Elementary School will highlight their music program, the "Awesome Authors" partnership with Bridgewood Retirement Community and the school structured recess.
The tour will end with a lunch back at the Clark County Skills Center, prepared by students in the culinary program. There is no cost for this event and all community members are welcome. It is requested that those interested pre-register. This can be done online at: www.evergreenps.org or by calling Community Relations at: 604-4088.
The Clark County Skills Center is located at: 12200 NE 28th St., Vancouver.
Patrons will visit Union High School's, performing arts, engineering, fitness, leadership and business classes; Cascade Middle School will showcase, math, science, technical and literacy programs; and Endeavour Elementary School will highlight their music program, the "Awesome Authors" partnership with Bridgewood Retirement Community and the school structured recess.
The tour will end with a lunch back at the Clark County Skills Center, prepared by students in the culinary program. There is no cost for this event and all community members are welcome. It is requested that those interested pre-register. This can be done online at: www.evergreenps.org or by calling Community Relations at: 604-4088.
The Clark County Skills Center is located at: 12200 NE 28th St., Vancouver.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Cambie Bridge Closed this Saturday As Organizers Expect Crowd of 10,000...
VANCOUVER, Oct. 23, 2009 – David Suzuki and Mayor Gregor Robertson are inviting Vancouverites to join them at high noon on the Cambie Street Bridge this Saturday (Oct. 24) as Vancouver does its part for the International Day of Climate Action, the world's largest political demonstration calling on the world's leaders to get tough on climate change (www.bridgecoolplanet.ca).
With 4000 events registered in 169 countries and Canada 2nd only to the U.S. in terms of the number of events planned, Vancouver's event is expected to be one of the largest in the country.
What: “Bridge to a Cool Planet” Vancouver's Contribution to International Day of Climate Action
When: Oct. 24th, 2009 @ 12:00pm
Where: Cambie Street Bridge
Who: Mayor Gregor Robertson, David Suzuki, Christina Ora (Solomon Islands), 350 salsa dancers.
With 4000 events registered in 169 countries and Canada 2nd only to the U.S. in terms of the number of events planned, Vancouver's event is expected to be one of the largest in the country.
What: “Bridge to a Cool Planet” Vancouver's Contribution to International Day of Climate Action
When: Oct. 24th, 2009 @ 12:00pm
Where: Cambie Street Bridge
Who: Mayor Gregor Robertson, David Suzuki, Christina Ora (Solomon Islands), 350 salsa dancers.
County to consider parking restrictions near WSU Vancouver
Vancouver, WA – Clark County will consider prohibiting daytime parking on some residential streets west of Washington State University Vancouver.
County commissioners decided Wednesday to hold a pubic hearing at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. on proposed restrictions similar to those already in place near Skyview and Columbia River high schools.
Residents living near the 350-acre campus have voiced concerns about parked cars, mail delivery, garbage collection and pedestrian safety since many areas do not have sidewalks and residents routinely walk in the street.
Neighborhood representatives distributed surveys and circulated petitions to gauge where parking restrictions would have the most residential support.
During an Aug. 11 open house, county officials heard comments generally supportive of parking restrictions but also heard some opposition.
The proposal would prohibit all on-street parking during specified times, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, excluding holidays, on sections of the following roads:
· Northeast 147th and 148th streets, from Northeast 29th Avenue west to Northeast 26th Avenue.
· Northeast 150th Street, from Northeast 29th Avenue west to its end near Northeast 25th Court.
· Northeast 26th and 28th courts, north of Northeast 150th Street.
· Northeast 26th Avenue, between Northeast 147th and 148th streets.
· Northeast 27th Avenue, between Northeast 150th Street and Northeast 152nd Circle.
If county commissioners approve the proposal, anyone ignoring the restrictions could receive a $38 citation.
County commissioners decided Wednesday to hold a pubic hearing at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. on proposed restrictions similar to those already in place near Skyview and Columbia River high schools.
Residents living near the 350-acre campus have voiced concerns about parked cars, mail delivery, garbage collection and pedestrian safety since many areas do not have sidewalks and residents routinely walk in the street.
Neighborhood representatives distributed surveys and circulated petitions to gauge where parking restrictions would have the most residential support.
During an Aug. 11 open house, county officials heard comments generally supportive of parking restrictions but also heard some opposition.
The proposal would prohibit all on-street parking during specified times, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, excluding holidays, on sections of the following roads:
· Northeast 147th and 148th streets, from Northeast 29th Avenue west to Northeast 26th Avenue.
· Northeast 150th Street, from Northeast 29th Avenue west to its end near Northeast 25th Court.
· Northeast 26th and 28th courts, north of Northeast 150th Street.
· Northeast 26th Avenue, between Northeast 147th and 148th streets.
· Northeast 27th Avenue, between Northeast 150th Street and Northeast 152nd Circle.
If county commissioners approve the proposal, anyone ignoring the restrictions could receive a $38 citation.
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