Asotin County adopts solid waste plan, burn ban; EMS levy hearing set for Monday
Asotin County's Board of Commissioners adopted a six-year solid waste management plan and enacted an emergency open-burning ban for unincorporated areas at its July 6 meeting, while also approving several staffing and funding changes. The board's next meeting, on July 20, includes a public hearing on a property tax levy for Rural Emergency Medical Service District 2.
Solid waste, burn ban, and technology upgrades
The board adopted the 2025–2030 Asotin County Solid Waste Management Plan, which sets countywide policy for waste handling through 2030. On the same day, commissioners enacted an emergency ordinance suspending fires and open burning in unincorporated areas of the county.
The board also approved a service agreement with 11:11 Systems for cloud server migration and authorized the purchase of Matrix Networks Poly Desk Phones for a new phone system. All motions at the July 6 meeting were carried without recorded vote counts, according to the official minutes.
Staffing and human services actions
Commissioners approved the re-hire of Janice for 20 hours in July for office assistant training, renewed and increased funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities under Program Agreement DDCS #2663-71268, and upgraded the Victim Advocate position to full-time.
Bridge, land use, and contracts on July 13 agenda
The board's July 13 meeting was scheduled to address Resolution 26-24 for the Fishers Gulch Bridge Scour Mitigation road project (CRP No. 273) and Conditional Use Permit 26-14 for David Rustebakke at 2935 25th Street. Also on the agenda were Contract #47PL0222D0002 Mod PS0015, which incorporates a DEI clause under EO 14398; Interagency Agreement #AOC3382 for the Casa/Volunteer GAL Program; and Correction Deed 2 vacating county right-of-way. The meeting included two executive sessions on personnel and potential litigation. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.
Jail and Finance Committee
The Jail and Finance Committee met July 16 to review minutes from its February 18, 2026 meeting and hear a financial update from COO Chris Kemp. The agenda listed discussion of current jail bed rates and booking fees, followed by open discussion. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
Board of Commissioners — Monday, July 20: A public hearing on the continuation of a property tax levy for Rural Emergency Medical Service District 2 (REMS#2) heads the agenda. The board is also considering a contract award to M.L. Albright & Sons, Inc. for the Closed Landfill South Regrade Project; Resolution 26-26 for Couse Creek No. 2 Bridge Preservation (CRP No. 274); Grant #F23-31219-600 for the Asotin & Garfield County CASA Program for Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect; and appointments and reappointments to the Salary Commission Board.