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Commissioner Overbay decides to step down from RiverCom board; Commissioner Gering will fill the seat

Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay has decided to step down from the RiverCom Administrative Board, with Commissioner Tiffany Gering set to fill the seat beginning in January.

The decision follows concerns raised last week by the mayor of Wenatchee over a potential conflict with RiverCom’s recent hiring of the agency’s finance manager.

At the Dec. 20 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Overbay said that while several members of RiverCom’s governing board have asked him to remain on the board, he would step down if either Commissioners Bob Bugert or Gering were willing to take the seat.

“I wish to make it very clear that there was no wrongdoing when RiverCom hired my daughter, and I do not appreciate how this issue was dealt with,” Commissioner Overbay said. “A one-on-one conversation with me, raising these concerns, would have been more appropriate. I had already decided to step down from a leadership role on the board but was not afforded the opportunity to say this at RiverCom’s meeting last week.”

The RiverCom Administrative Board requires its board membership to include one county commissioner from both Chelan and Douglas counties. Because of his extensive background in law enforcement and communications, Overbay was appointed to the agency’s governing board in 2019. He was elected chairman in 2020 and 2021 by the board members.

“I would never bring discredit to the county or to RiverCom,” Overbay said. “I don’t want to be a distraction to the good work that RiverCom’s board and employees are doing. And for that reason, I will step down because one of my peers is willing to take the seat.”

In October, RiverCom’s then executive director made a conditional offer of the finance manager’s position to Mihkaela Overbay. After an extensive background check and the vetting of her application, Ms. Overbay was offered the position in December by Lowell Porter, current executive director. The administrative board, including Commissioner Overbay, had no influence or involvement in the hiring process of Ms. Overbay. Hers was the only application received by RiverCom for the position.

Beginning in January, Gering will represent Chelan County on the RiverCom board. Gering, whose father was a police officer and EMT and whose mother was a nurse and EMT, has an interest in the board and is excited for the opportunity.

During the commissioners meeting, Commissioner Bugert thanked Overbay for taking a leadership role with RiverCom. “Kevin has done tremendous work in bringing stability and strength to RiverCom these last three years,” Bugert said.

Overbay said it has been a joy to serve on the RiverCom board and to see the agency make great strides. “With the agency’s new director in place, I am very comfortable stepping away and will watch RiverCom continue on this great trajectory it is currently on,” he said.

 

 

Last Updated: 01/12/2022 12:46 PM

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  • 18
    Dec 2024
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    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

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    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

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    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office