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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-24 Directors' UpdateDirectors’ Update June 24, 2026 9:01 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope (9:10 am), County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Arny Davis, Matt Patana, Gabe Anzelini, Casey Mauermann, Geoff Soderquist, Heather Rodriguez, John Abplanalp, Sarah Hensley, Tom Stanton, Marni Larson, Natalie Kamieniecki, Charles Edmonson, Alex Murray, Fionna Velazquez, Kirsten Wecker, Matt Thuston, Nathaniel Barr, Shelly Stewart, Rudy Rodriguez, Julie Pirtle, Rachel Lester Guest(s): Rodney Reynolds and guests from the public on Zoom Recorder: Tammy Martin Public comment: None There were no presentations, notice items, consent items or deliberation items to discuss as there would be no Business Meeting on June 30. Wednesday Workshop: Becky Butler said the 2027 budget call letter was formally sent out and that budgets are open in OpenGov. Mindy Brooks said Community Development is working with Granicus to automate canned responses for common questions before citizens call the office. Mindy said the projected launch date for this online agent is January 2027. (Commissioner Swope arrived at 9:10 a.m. in the middle of Mindy’s discussion) Matt Patana said the Fairgrounds projects are progressing; concrete removal in front of the grandstands is happening, and the county is ready to accept Friendlyville bids. He also noted the fence near the blue gate was replaced on June 23. Matt said after two rounds of interviews for the Capital Facilities grant administrator / administrative position, a conditional offer has been made. There was a counteroffer received from the applicant and the step requested is not budgeted. Matt asked the Board for approval to hire at a step 10 and provided considerable justification for the Board’s approval. The Board addressed their concerns regarding the lack of advancement, but that concern had been addressed with the applicant. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to amend the agenda to include the Capital Facilities grant administrator / administrative position as a topic. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to authorize staff to offer the Capital Facilities grant administrator / administrative position to the applicant at Step 10. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Geoff Soderquist said chipsealing season has officially kicked off. Drivers are urged to exercise caution. Charles Edmonson said the Noxious Weeds department is working on eliminating poison hemlock and tansy. John Abplanalp said there is a brief open house today for the WIC program and that a potluck is planned for the following week. Becky Butler offered WSU Extension Interim Director Christina Sanders a one-on-one session through Teams to work on contracts. Senior Investment Officer position request: Arny Davis noted the general fund impact would need to be amended to reflect a $10,000 increase with the remainder funded by the Lewis County Investment Pool and Investment Fund in order to approve a grade increase to 133. The Commissioners raised concerns regarding fee changes, required notifications to adjust fee bases, and the need for Finance Committee verification. Ryan Barrett stated it will take about two weeks to run this through HR for evaluation. In the meantime, Arny said he would like Rodney Reynolds to serve as a consultant on a contract basis. Becky said per policy requirements, this would need a resolution for the dollar amount to be approved and that he should partner with HR for resolution help. Chief Deputy salary request: Arny presented a request to increase the Chief Deputy salary. He said job descriptions vary based on office requirements. Ryan Barrett and Becky Butler suggested a holistic, comprehensive approach to determine salaries rather than isolated grade increases. They said the current request is a single grade increase and would place the position on par with a few other similar positions, noting that the chief deputy positions within the Treasurer, Clerk and Coroner Offices are not currently at the 127 grade. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the Chief Deputy Treasurer salary increase as submitted – increasing it from a Grade 126 Step 12 to a Grade 127 Step 12 – effective July 1, 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Brummer asked to move the exec sessions, investment review and BNSF from Monday’s Wrap-Up agenda and to place them on the Directors’ Update on July 1, 2026, and then to cancel Wrap- Up to allow for each commissioner to weigh in. Commissioner Swope asked for the commissioners to share the BOCC America 250 Facebook post. Commissioner Brummer said he had forwarded onto Community Development questions he received regarding address requests. Meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.