2018-03-06 PA UpdateProsecutor’s Update
March 6, 2018
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Eric Eisenberg, David Fine, Ross Petersen, Eric
Eisenberg, Janelle Kambich, Becky Butler, Archie Smith, Jonathan Meyer, Heather Boyer, Tom Stanton
Guest: Natalie Johnson
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Eric Eisenberg gave an update on the draft procedure for freeholders. He said the revised draft includes
a definition about drawing lots, verbiage about mileage reimbursement, verbiage about a $100 filing
fee, and language indicating write-in candidates would not be allowed.
Tom Stanton discussed the filing fees for write-in candidates, which the state recently changed to $25.
Commissioners Stamper and Jackson agreed that the county would not allow write-in candidates.
Eric further discussed the idea of sub-districts. He said there would be practical problems, including a
lack of population data and the timeline for the Auditor’s Office.
Jonathan Meyer said Janelle Kambich is working on scheduling informational meetings regarding the
freeholder process.
The commissioners said they would like to have the notice move forward March 12 for a hearing to be
held in April.
Heather Boyer and Tom Stanton left at 2:15 p.m.
Jonathan said the PA’s office will pay for the dig class for the Coroner’s Office. He said he anticipated
spending $3,800 but receiving $6,000. He said it’s the last time he will cover the up-front costs.
Becky Butler said there had been no funding request for the dig class.
Jonathan said he is requesting additional positions. He said he is looking to fill Glenn Carter’s position
and is asking for an additional DPA on the civil side, in addition to two paralegals and a legal assistant
due to the upcoming Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) cases for mental health and chemical dependency.
He said he anticipates 40 additional hearings per week.
Jonathan and Janelle Kambich said the legal assistant position could be absorbed by the current budget.
They said the civil paralegal and civil DPA II under litigation would be offset by funding from the Great
Rivers Behavioral Health Organization (GRBHO). The funding request would be for a DPA II, a DPA III and
two paralegals, he said.
Jonathan said, theoretically, a legal assistant position could be eliminated, and the PA’s Office could
instead have a paralegal with PDR knowledge.
The scenarios would leave the need for a civil DPA, a criminal DPA and a paralegal.
Jonathan said he has a concern about salary compression regarding chiefs on the criminal side. He said
the two chiefs are at 35. He said moving them to a 36 would cost roughly $13,000.
Jonathan said he would revamp his budget request numbers to reflect the earlier discussion regarding
the legal assistant position.
Becky and Archie left at 2:38 p.m.
Ross said all but one of the elected officials have signed on to the county’s new Public Records policy
and that public reaction regarding the new policy has been mixed.
Jonathan suggested meeting with the entire PFD board regarding a recent letter from Todd Chaput.
At 2:40 p.m., Commissioner Jackson announced that the Board was going into Executive Session under
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 10 minutes to discuss pending and / or potential litigation.
Executive session ended at 2:50 p.m. No decisions were made.
Meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m.