County's loan moratorium awaits policy report

It is a conversation that started 20 months ago, and there still has not been a resolution. Whitman County commissioners reported Monday in a workshop meeting that they have heard of no progress relating to the county's loan moratorium for junior taxing districts.

“There is no response from the treasurer,” said Commissioner Michael Largent, who last week asked the treasurer for an update.

The moratorium was imposed in January as a means of protecting the county's financial position while the county treasurer worked on establishing policies and procedures in relation to intergovernmental loans. The moratorium was not expected to last long.

“That was our anticipation because he said he was taking care of it,” said Commissioner Art Swannack.

Treasurer Mark Clinton told the Gazette in April that he had been researching the matter by looking into policies and procedures in other counties. The purpose would be to have policies and procedures in writing for when a junior taxing district does approach the county for a loan. He reported in April that he was specifically looking into matters such as length of loans, terms and interests.

At that time, Clinton said he was to have a draft ready for the county commissioners “this spring, for sure.” He noted that unexpected illnesses and medical issues in his office were part of the reason for the initial delay.

The commissioners Monday said they are unsure of why they have not heard anything.

“It's not the most important thing we have going on, but I don't know why we're waiting,” said Largent.

Those impacted by the moratorium have not been too affected, reported Largent.

“Fortunately, there has been no undue burden on junior taxing districts,” he said.

Clinton told the Gazette Monday that he is still in the process of working on the policy.

“I've still got work to do on it, and I've got the binder sitting here,” he said. “We'll get on it soon, but we haven't had anything pressing with it. It's on my to-do list, though.”

Largent sent an email to Clinton last week asking for an update and stated that the moratorium was not intended to be permanent, but, “I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't becoming the case.”

Swannack questioned Monday whether the commissioners could write a policy themselves or if they should “fill in the gap.” Largent did not think that was a good idea, though the commissioners do have the authority to do so.

“I think we could. But we thought at the time, and I still think, that given that the treasurer's department has to administer that policy, he'd be in the best position to construct that policy,” said Largent. “It affects their department the most. We need to move ahead collaboratively and consulting each other carefully.”

The commissioners hoped to have more discussion about the policy and how to move forward after the Palouse Empire Fair concludes.