Chelan County Commissioners Providing Money for Ohme Gardens, Input on Low-Barrier Housing

Chelan County Commissioners agreed to a supplemental appropriation of $30,000 for Ohme Gardens Monday.

Bob Bugert says they were able to help the tourism site through some lodging tax availability.

"It combines with some other funding they received from other sources to do two things. One is they are building a much higher quality performance stage for some of the performances they'll have this summer hopefully if everything goes well."

There will also be an improvement to the gate house which Bugert says is greatly in need of repair.

The annual Concerts in the Garden series is moving to the WVC Campus for 2021.

The Commissioners are also discussing this week the importance of low-barrier housing.

Kevin Overbay says they are trying to find out the most appropriate spot for it be placed.

"What it does is provide a shelter area for these folks to go ahead and reside and basically it would be overnight stays, or sleeping quarters."

He notes that Moses Lake and Walla Walla have had success with similar programs.

They do want to address the any community concerns over security, but that it can help people struggling with addiction or mental illness.

You can here the mostly full interview below. There is one technical glitch that cut about 30 seconds in the middle.