MOSES LAKE — Grant County Commission candidate David Henderson said he would support streamlining regulatory requirements for infrastructure projects. He also would support reopening the county’s work release center. 

Henderson is challenging incumbent Rob Jones for the commission seat, and Jones was asked the same questions at a forum Oct. 7. Henderson was ill the night of the forum and couldn’t attend, so the Columbia Basin Herald asked him the questions under the same time constraints as the forum. 

The candidates were asked about infrastructure in Grant County, how the county is doing when it comes to accommodating growth and what role the commissioners play. Henderson said in his opinion infrastructure is adequate for now. 

“Other than the having a tough time and long process getting permitted, the infrastructure is growing, but we need to do more,” he said. “We need to have more affordable housing in Grant County. We need to look at all the (options), because if we’re going to grow the infrastructure we’re going to have to grow where people are going to live.  

“I think the infrastructure is in pretty good shape, other than we’re probably going to need some more power. We’re going to need more water, and those are things we’re going to have to collaborate with the PUD commissioners and get those sources,” he said. “We do need to streamline our permitting process and analyze how we can build the infrastructure within our budget.” 

The county’s work release center is closed, and Henderson said that program should be revived, if that’s feasible. 

“I absolutely would support work release,” he said. “I think it’s important that we have that program in place so people that are employed can serve their time, rather than possibly losing their employment if they have to do their time completely (in jail).” 

The only question for him, Henderson said, would be paying for it. 

“I think we can find the funding. I don’t know if we can use ARPA funds for that, or if we need to look at other departments within the law enforcement (budget). I think the number was it was going to need four deputies or officers to run that facility. So I think it would be just as affordable as keeping them incarcerated,” he said.  

The third question was about funding and support for the departments within county government, and whether it was adequate. Henderson said there might be one exception. 

“I do think that we are funding every agency adequately. There is one – the road department. They are so short-staffed on the road department of people being able to get out and do the work. There are so many other agencies in this market that do the same things those guys do that we need to make sure that part of the road crew, that they’re compensated. Because we’re losing good people. We spend the money to trail them just to lose them to another company,” Henderson said. 

A job with Grant County used to be more attractive than it is now, he said. 

“It used to be the county was a place that you went and you had good benefits, good retirement, and it was a great paying job. And it’s kind of gone the other way a little bit with pay.” 

Henderson said the commissioners could examine all department budgets to make sure money is being used in the most efficient way possible.  

“But for the most part, I think they’re pretty well adequately funded,” he said. 

The story where Jones answered the same questions is available at https://bit.ly/JONES24.