Clallam County approves $453,165 in vouchers, hires Todd Mielke as administrator; budget hearing and public health cuts loom
The Clallam County Board of Commissioners approved $453,165.06 in weekly vouchers and an employment contract for Todd Mielke as County Administrator during its July 7 meeting, the only session in the past two weeks with published minutes confirming decisions.
Board of County Commissioners — July 7 (decided)
According to official minutes, the Board approved the following items via consent agenda:
- Weekly vouchers totaling $453,165.06.
- A resolution appointing Tara Coffin to the Clallam County Board of Health.
- An agreement amendment with the Department of Commerce Housing Division for homelessness assistance.
- An employment contract for Todd Mielke as Clallam County Administrator.
A public hearing on an ordinance regarding the County Administrator's employment contract is scheduled for July 21, 2026.
Board of County Commissioners — other sessions (agendas only, minutes pending)
The Board met or is scheduled to meet several additional times. Because minutes are not yet published for these sessions, only agenda items can be reported; no decisions are confirmed.
July 6: The agenda listed a request for qualifications for professional engineering services for the Clallam Slough Bridge Replacement Project, resolutions appointing Sondra Lundvick to the Revenue Advisory Committee and the Crescent Community Advisory Council, a pre-application questionnaire with USDA Forest Services for a Secure Rural Schools Title II Grant, and a public hearing notice for the Mid-year 2026 Budget Review on July 28, 2026.
July 13: The agenda included discussion of proposed supplemental appropriations and debatable emergencies for the July 28 meeting, agreement amendments with the Administrative Office of the Courts for document conversion and with System Operations Services, LLC for the Clallam Bay & Sekiu Treatment Plant, and approval of final plat LDV2018-00034 Atterberry Landing.
July 14: The agenda listed approval of $904,228.32 in accounts payable vouchers, a request for qualifications for Clallam Slough Bridge Replacement Project engineering services, a proposed $80,000 reimbursement for Auditor Information Security Funds, a proposed $6,830 grant for the Sheriff's Office sexual assault kit refrigerator, and a hearing for a grant from the Opportunity Fund to the Dry Creek Water Association.
Advisory committees and commissions (agendas only)
- **Animal Solutions Advisory Committee (July 7):** Discussion items included a partnership with Jefferson County Humane Society, continued conversation on puppy sale ordinances, and Open Door School microchip scanning stations. No formal decisions indicated.
- **Dungeness River Management Team (July 8):** Agenda covered Washington's Water Future Initiative, 2026 Dungeness Drought Planning & Response, the McDonald Fish Passage Barrier Project, an OCR update from Clallam County, and water conservation outreach from WSU Extension.
- **Clallam Bay/Sekiu Community Advisory Committee (July 9):** Comprehensive Plan discussion, community updates, and approval of minutes from February 12, March 12, April 9, and June 11, 2026.
- **Behavioral Health Advisory Board (July 14):** Vacant positions (Tribal Representative, Services for the Homeless Representative, Private Provider of SUD Services), a by-laws discussion, and program updates from the First Step Family Support Center, LIFT Court (presented by Kirsten Poole), and Drug Court (presented by Candice Fowler).
- **Planning Commission (July 15):** Work session on the Comprehensive Plan Update, including proposed increases to multi-family housing density in URH, VLD, and LO zones; a change to satellite bedroom bar sink limits from 1.0 to 1.5 cubic feet; review of revised Addendum 3 on racially disparate impacts in housing analysis; a proposed decrease of side yard setbacks to 6 feet for all urban residential zones; and discussion of zero lot-line setbacks in urban residential zones to facilitate townhouses.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Board of County Commissioners:** Resolution to waive County sewer development charges for affordable housing projects under 80% of median income in the Port Angeles eastern urban growth area; contract with North Olympic Land Trust for a conservation easement on Big Red Barn Farm; request for qualifications for 3 Crabs Road and the Safe Street 4 All Safety Action Plan; call for bids for Bullman Beach Water Association Treatment System Improvement; contract with Cities Digital, Inc. for Onsite Sewage System data platform.
- **July 21 — Board of County Commissioners:** Ordinance regarding the County Administrator's employment contract; approval of $934,647.29 in accounts payable vouchers and $3,044,149.53 in payroll; agreement amendments for the Clallam Bay & Sekiu Treatment Plant and a Victim Witness Assistance Grant.
- **July 21 — Board of Health:** Discussion of a $580,000 reduction in Foundational Public Health Services funding effective July 1, expected to eliminate six positions; motion to reallocate $18,756 from opioid settlement funds to sustain three staff at the Harm Reduction Health Center; recommendation to appoint Tara Coffin as At-Large member; infectious disease update noting low influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 rates and a pertussis cluster among children.
- **July 22 — Fair Advisory Board:** Vote on a budget request totaling $37,800, including $4,000 for fairgrounds signs, $9,000 for superintendents and judges payment, $6,000 for generator and light service, $7,000 for fairgrounds Wi-Fi installation, and $4,800 for police protection and parking.
- **July 27 — Joint Commission (PUD, County Commissioners, Port of Port Angeles):** Review and numerical prioritization of interagency projects including the Simdars Interchange and McKinnley Site; updates on the Lower Elwha Wastewater Project, Taxiway Alpha Reconstruction at Fairchild International Airport, and Whitefeather Access at John Wayne Marina Area.
- **July 28 — Noxious Weed Control Board:** 2027 budget discussion, along with road department, education/inspection, and financial reports.