2018-03-14 Meeting with WSU1
Meeting with WSU
March 14, 2018
3:32 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Sheila Gray, Archie Smith,
Jim Kropf, Becky Butler
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Sheila Gray announced that she is retiring after 22-plus years with WSU Extension.
Sheila said her last day in office will be April 6 and her last day will be June 8.
Jim Kropf said Sheila is using up her annual leave and that the county’s portion for the sick leave payout
will be roughly $2,100.
Jim said payouts are in the MOA. He said the state’s sick leave payout is 4 to 1.
Jim said Pacific and Grays Harbor is an example of counties that shared Extension Services. He said
Mason and Grays Harbor recently joined forces. He said Garfield and Asotin also share resources, as do
Chelan and Douglas counties and Klickitat and Skamania counties. He said the funding isn’t necessarily
split 50-50. He said a split also has been used on an interim basis several times.
Jim said an external, national search often is used to fill director positions. He said internal searches can
be used.
Commissioner Jackson said he planned to meet with Cowlitz County on March 15 to discuss the
possibility of a joint effort. He said Pacific County also has indicated it would be interested in sharing
resources.
Jim said the Pacific County director also plans to retire. He said there are viable options to the south as
well. Commissioner Jackson discussed an “a la carte menu” of sorts for the services WSU provides. Jim
said a “menu” could be discussed and negotiated or addressed in contracts. He discussed the use of an
assessment.
Commissioner Jackson left at 3:53 p.m.
Jim said Gary Fredericks planned to attend Commissioner Jackson’s meeting with Dennis Weber on
March 15.
Jim discussed WSU’s finances and said WSU was forced to use reserves. He said savings efforts have
included a hiring slowdown, a freeze on spending carry-over, etc.
Sheila said Kim Weiland’s last day is March 30. She said she plans to hire her replacement soon.
Jim said an interim director will take over as Sheila leaves.
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Sheila said Bill Wamsley has a signature authority.
Jim said Thurston County’s director is working on trial crops.
Meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.