The Stevens County Board of Commissioners is the three-member elected body that governs Stevens County, Washington from its offices in Colville. The commissioners set county tax rates, adopt the budget, manage county property and roads, and pass ordinances for the unincorporated parts of the county. Two commissioners form a quorum, so business continues even when one seat is empty or one member is absent.1Washington State Legislature. RCW 36.32.010 – Board of Commissioners Consisting of Three Members Election
What the Board Decides
RCW 36.32.120 sets out the board’s enumerated powers, and they fall into three buckets: money, property, and local regulation. Commissioners set the amount of county taxes to be assessed, oversee collection, manage county funds, and authorize construction or repair of courthouses, jails, and other public facilities.2Washington State Legislature. RCW 36.32.120 – Powers of Legislative Authorities
They also have authority over county roads and highways outside city limits, issue certain business licenses, and audit the accounts of any officer who handles county money. Inside unincorporated areas, the board can adopt and enforce ordinances covering building codes, plumbing, electrical work, and health standards, provided those rules do not conflict with state law. Any new ordinance requires a public hearing with at least ten days’ notice before it takes effect.2Washington State Legislature. RCW 36.32.120 – Powers of Legislative Authorities
The Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, and several other county officials are independently elected, so commissioners do not supervise them directly. What the board does control is the budget those offices work from, along with appointments to advisory committees that shape planning and resource decisions.
How the Board Is Structured and Elected
State law requires three commissioners, each living in a separate district drawn to contain roughly one-third of the county’s population.3Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 36.32 – County Commissioners Terms run four years and are staggered so that no more than two seats appear on the same general election ballot.
Candidates must live in the district they want to represent and be registered voters when they file.4Stevens County, WA. Candidate Information Only district residents vote in that seat’s primary, but all county voters decide the general election. Commissioner races are nonpartisan under Washington’s election framework, and the top two primary finishers advance to November regardless of party.5Washington State Legislature. Chapter 29A.52 RCW
When and Where the Board Meets
Regular meetings run Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 230 E. Birch Avenue in Colville. The building is ADA accessible. Hearings are available in person or virtually, but virtual access has to be requested at least thirty minutes before the meeting begins.6Stevens County. Tentative Agenda – Board of Stevens County Commissioners (BOCC)
Agendas are posted on the Stevens County website before each meeting. Check the agenda first. It lists the resolutions, hearings, and departmental updates on deck and shows roughly when each item comes up, which matters if you only want to be there for one thing.
Speaking During a Meeting
When you arrive, look for the sign-in sheet and add your name. The chair calls speakers in order during the public comment period. Address your remarks to the chair rather than to individual commissioners or people in the audience. Comments are typically capped at a few minutes each, so plan your points before you step up.
After testimony, the board may ask clarifying questions before moving on. Meeting minutes go into the official public record, and the county may post video recordings as well, so anything said at the podium is documented.
Contacting the Office and Requesting Records
The Commissioners’ Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 509-684-3751. Fax: 509-684-8310. Mailing address: 215 S. Oak, Colville, WA 99114.6Stevens County. Tentative Agenda – Board of Stevens County Commissioners (BOCC)
Washington’s Public Records Act gives you the right to inspect or copy county government documents.7Washington State Legislature. RCW 42.56 – Public Records Act Stevens County takes requests through an online portal at NextRequest, where you can submit and track them.8Stevens County. Stevens County Public Records Home Inspecting records in person is free; paper copies may cost up to fifteen cents per page.9Washington State Legislature. WAC 44-14-07001
The county has five business days after receiving a request to either produce the records, give you a time estimate, ask for clarification, or deny it with a written reason.7Washington State Legislature. RCW 42.56 – Public Records Act Larger requests take longer, but the county has to keep you updated on the timeline.