Commissioners hear updates from staff

RITZVILLE – Adams County commissioners heard reports from staff during a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Adams County Public Works Director Todd O’Brien updated commissioners on recycling efforts at both of the county solid waste transfer stations.

O’Brien said “cardboard and paint are being shipped out this week.”

He added electronic waste, televisions, computer equipment, etc. are being shipped out soon.

Both the Ritzville and Bruce transfer stations are registered collectors of electronic products by the state Department of Ecology under the E-Cycle program.

Road repairs

County Engineer Scott Yaeger reported minor road repairs and patching is underway around the county, and that crews had been picking up trash along county roads as well.

O’Brien said “snow is melting slowly” and indicated the department has not seen a lot of damage from runoff.

O’Brien said quotes had been received for road maintenance materials including asphalt products, road stabilization materials and stripe paint.

Prices have increased for these products, and supply may be limited.

“We’ll change projects depending on how much material we can buy,” he said.

O’Brien also noted vehicles for sale under contract from the state Department of Enterprise Services are in short supply – or not available at all.

“It’s going to be a slow moving process to acquire equipment and materials,” he said.

In other business:

• Integrated Health Care Services Administrator Vicki Guse presented the Behavioral Health Agreement with Spokane County Community Services. The board passed a motion to allow the chairman to sign the contract.

• Amanda Zepeda, Mental Health Clinic Director and Gloria Ochoa, substance use disorder director gave a brief presentation on the “NARCAN In Hand” program resulting from Senate Bill 5195. The bill, signed into law in May 2021, requires substance abuse and behavioral health professionals to distribute pre-packaged overdose reversal medications, such as NARCAN, to at risk individuals and ensure they are trained on use of the medication. The law is intended to save lives, particularly in cases where a drug user gets a substance laced with opioids, unbeknownst to them. While health providers in some counties distribute the medication in their offices using vending machines, Adams County distributes in cooperation with a local pharmacy.

• Dr. Alex Brzezny gave a presentation via remote connection on an improving outlook concerning COVID-19. Brzezny plans to give the March update for the board in person, saying he thinks “the numbers will be much better by then.”