Franklin County Commission: A challenging start to 2017 turned into opportunity, growth

Franklin County, nestled between the banks of the Columbia and Snake rivers, was formed out of Whitman County in November of 1883 and named for Benjamin Franklin. Pasco is the county seat, with an estimated population of 78,500.

Franklin County also includes several agricultural communities, including Basin City, Connell, Eltopia, Kahlotus and Mesa, and encompasses 1,265 square miles with an overall population nearing 105,000. The economic base is driven primarily by agricultural ventures and is known as the transportation hub of Eastern Washington.

2017 begun with winter storms resulting in more snowfall than our area has seen in decades, which kept our County Roads, Facilities and Traffic Safety personnel extremely busy. Sudden changes in temperature resulted in ice and snowmelt runoff that damaged a number of roads requiring extensive repairs. With initial damage estimates close to $5 million, the County Board of Commissioners, the state and the federal governments declared emergencies in Franklin County, opening the door to state and federal aid to help fund repairs.

Franklin County Planning and Building Departments relocated to 502 Boeing St. in 2016 to be closer to the Public Works Department. The relocation provides easier access for citizens seeking building permits, inspections or plan reviews as well as more efficient coordination with the Public Works Department. Citizens and contractors have expressed appreciation for the ease with which they can now visit the departments.

Franklin County is continuing its multi-year implementation of new financial management software. The project is dramatically improving our financial management capabilities, including fraud and waste preventing.

The Trade, Recreation & Agriculture Center (TRAC) continues to be an important part of economic development in Franklin County, attracting both local and out-of-town visitors. TRAC patron spending in local hotels, restaurants and other businesses generate significant revenues that help offset the costs of TRAC operations. As Franklin County continues to grow, TRAC is increasingly popular for an expanding variety of trade show and entertainment functions.

Public safety is a primary responsibility of county governments. Our law enforcement and the Corrections Center (jail) operations account for more than 70 percent of the county’s non-road expenditures, a number at or below most counties in the state. Two additional deputies were added 2017. The division has three detectives handling all criminal investigations.

In 2018, patrol deputies will concentrate on reducing fatality accident rates and enforcing countywide illicit marijuana grows while providing proactive patrols for our residents. Our goals for 2018 include beginning renovation of the “old” county jail facility to provide necessary segregation of offenders, adequate medical treatment and facilities to meet the standards for certification for a modern correctional facility and in compliance with court-ordered mandates for the incarceration of inmates.

The consolidation of Franklin County’s Communication Center with the Southeast Communications Center (SECOMM) located in Benton County is on track. We expect the consolidation to be complete late this year.

Board Chair Brad Peck, Chair Pro-Tem Rick Miller, Commissioner Bob Koch, and I collectively represent the county on more than 75 federal, state, county and local boards, commissions and committees. The attendance at these meetings, together with the research, correspondence and interaction required of the appointments, keeps our leadership team apprised of vital county interests while searching out programs, grants, legislation and opportunities that benefit our residents.

We look forward to the challenges and rewards 2018 has in store and are proud to be an integral part of Franklin County and of service to our community.

This story was originally published April 2, 2018 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Franklin County Commission: A challenging start to 2017 turned into opportunity, growth."