2017-11-20 Meeting with Jim KropfMeeting with Jim Kropf
November 20, 2017
12:12 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Steve Walton, Becky
Butler, Sheila Gray, Jim Kropf
Guest: Justyna Tomtas
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Steve Walton discussed the savings that may be realized by moving WSU Extension.
Sheila Gray said the Master Gardener / Master Recycler positions are county positions.
Commissioner Stamper asked if the Recycler position could be moved to Solid Waste.
Becky Butler said it might be a possibility.
Commissioner Stamper discussed the county’s $17,000 contribution for the Director position covers.
He asked if Sheila would be able to cover office hours as part of her duties.
Sheila said that isn’t part of her job description and that she has grants and such that she is responsible
for.
Jim Kropf said some of the small offices have their director lend a hand periodically.
The group discussed WSU’s travel budget. Commissioner Jackson noted that Sheila’s travel accounted
for more than half of WSU Extension’s travel budget.
Commissioner Fund said the travel discussion is focused on the difference between benefiting the
county vs. benefiting WSU.
Jim suggested itemizing the travel vouchers to determine which ones are beneficial to the county.
Commissioner Jackson said he would like all travel reimbursements to go through WSU rather than
having the county pay for travel.
Commissioner Jackson said Sheila had indicated she is a state employee, not a county employee. Jim
said that she is technically a Washington State University employee.
Commissioner Jackson said he wants to see WSU Extension’s direct benefit to the county.
Commissioner Jackson asked how often Sheila meets with supervisors to discuss job performance, goals,
etc.
Jim said he has been to Lewis County three times in 2017. He said they speak every three or four weeks.
Sheila reviewed the various positions covered by the Memorandum of Agreement / Personnel Services
Contract.
The group discussed potential cost reductions, including eliminating mileage reimbursements, and
moving the WSU extension. They also discussed reducing office staffing / hours. Instead of cutting hours,
Sheila said she would rather use $10,000 of the $14,000 allocated for the part-time “time-slip” position
to keep the two positions as-is.
Becky cautioned that there would be no assurances because future cuts remain a possibility.
Commissioner Stamper asked if the county’s contributions for the County Director could be reduced. Jim
said Lewis County’s suggested contribution is $24,547.
Commissioner Jackson asked if the County Extension Faculty could be reduced from fulltime to 0.75.
Sheila urged the commissioners to avoid that step.
The group discussed whether grant funding would be available for the position.
Commissioner Stamper asked if there would be any possibility of sharing the WSU Director position with
one of the surrounding counties, such as Cowlitz County.
Sheila discussed shared Master Gardener programs, etc.
Commissioner Stamper discussed eliminating the remaining $4,000 for the part-time time-slip position.
The group further discussed eliminating the travel budget.
Becky and Steve said the initial savings will be the $14,000 plus the travel. The savings for the move
would be realized after April. Becky said the Facilities rates will be readjusted after Fiscal moves and the
senior centers transition to the Seniors board.
Becky clarified that the board is asking Sheila and Jim to update the Memorandum of Agreement for the
upcoming contract.
Sheila thanked the board for making it possible to retain the two positions at 0.8.
Meeting ended at 1:03 p.m.