Franklin County Commission: Diversifying economic base drives county growth

Franklin County, named after Benjamin Franklin and with a current population nearing 100,000 people, is one of the fastest growing areas in the Pacific Northwest. Driven primarily by agricultural production and processing, the economic base of the county is rapidly diversifying as it grows.

The Franklin County Historical Museum has a new entryway. The use of the Historic Preservation Funds provided the funding for the replacement of the stairs and handrail.

In 2014, a class action lawsuit was filed against Franklin County over the conditions in the Franklin County Jail under the former Sheriff. In 2016, a settlement agreement was reached with the current sheriff’s administration. The agreement required a number of things to be done to remedy the conditions listed, including a jail remodel. Faced with an impossible price tag of over $20 million, the late Sheriff’s Lt. Reninger put together a plan to handle the remodel in house. He then supervised the project until his untimely passing. Cmdr. Sultemeier then took over the project, now renamed Project Reninger. Utilizing the skills of the jail maintenance crew, led by Tomas Navarrate and Joel Bond, along with talented inmate painters, Franklin County completed all remodel requirements without placing an undue burden on the taxpayers of Franklin County. The county would like to recognize and thank Mr. Navarrate and Mr. Bond, who took on this project in addition to their normal duties. The lawsuit was dismissed in December of 2019.

Franklin County also is in the process of building and launching a Whistleblower Online Hotline. This tool will provide an open line of communication from both employees and citizens to a Franklin County Committee. It will be a source to report any type of issues in Franklin County regarding an individual, structural issues such as road damage or fraud and waste in government. The committee will review the issues rised and find the potential remedies.

The Franklin County Corrections Department has begun a new program called Redirection. Capt. Diaz sought information regarding similar programs run by institutions such as Coyote Ridge and brought together members of the community to assist in bringing the program to fruition. The purpose of Redirection is to educate and assist offenders in acquiring-skills that would be of benefit after their release. Lt. Harmon facilitates the 10-week volunteer program, which assists in obtaining a GED, certificates such as food handler cards and includes assistance programs with AA and Work Source. The participants must complete weekly homework and work 20 hours per week. All six participants of the first class graduated in January 2020 with a ceremony to celebrate their accomplishment.

2020 is an election year for Commissioner Districts No. 1 and No. 2 positions currently held by Brad Peck and Robert Koch. The positions hold a four-year term for the Southwest and Eastern and Northern areas of Franklin County. Franklin County is in the midst of determining a redistricting plan due to its continued population growth and maintaining balance between the three districts.

AV CaptureAll is a new system that allows the public to livestream the county commission’s weekly meetings. Now, in addition to audio, you may also watch the proceedings live. Click on “New” Board of Commissioner meetings at http://co.franklin.wa.us/commissioners/.

The Franklin County 2020 budget is stable but the demands for services and capital outlays exceed revenues, requiring difficult choices. Franklin County will continue to strive to streamline processes and work to assist the needs of the communities.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Franklin County Commission: Diversifying economic base drives county growth."