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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-03 Wrap-Up CMBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update August 3, 2026 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Mindy Brooks, Geoff Soderquist, Chief Civil DPA David Bailey, Chief Chris Sweet, Undersheriff Kevin Engelbertson, Rocky Lyon, Doyle Sanford, Amanda Price, Meja Handlen, Matt Comisky, Erika Katt, Grace Jimenez, Natalie Kamieniecki, Grace Jimenez, Graham Gowing, State Auditor’s Office (SAO) Audit Supervisor Katie Gravatt, SAO Audit Lead Tony Cuevas Guest(s): Unidentified guests Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Lewis County burn ban: Fire Marshal Doyle Sanford and Commissioner Brummer discussed potentially expanding burn restrictions to a total countywide burn ban. The commissioners directed staff to move forward with the increased burn restrictions. Agenda change: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to add to the Aug. 4 BOCC Business Meeting the following items: • Resolution 26-252: Extend timeline for non-union extra help Investment & Banking Officer position. • Resolution 26-259: Approve a Local Agency Agreement and Federal Aid Project Prospectus between Lewis County and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the Boistfort Road Paving MP 0.00-2.202, 2026 3R Project, CRP 2213E • Resolution 26-260: Approve Contract #R01-0278-26 with Reliable Enterprises. • Resolution 26-263: Enact a total burn ban on all outdoor burning, including recreational fires, starting at 12:01 a.m. August 4, 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Executive session: At 9:14 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into executive session with Chief Civil DPA David Bailey under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:30 a.m. to discuss two topics: DNR’s Chai timber sale / possible Amicus brief and Pierce County v. State re sexual abuse and molestation (SAM) litigation. Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler and American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) Washington State Manager Matt Comisky also joined for the executive session discussion. Executive session ended at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to authorize Lewis County join the Amicus brief regarding the DNR’s Chai Timber Sale. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Rieva Lester noted that representatives from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) would join the meeting to discuss the SAO Entrance Conference at 10 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. Jail medical 2027 budget: Becky Butler reviewed funding shortages for jail medical. The commissioners directed staff to work with the PA’s Office to determine eligibility of using mental health tax funds toward 2027 jail medical costs. The commissioners said they will revisit the topic Aug. 5. Excess Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Becky reviewed rates for coverage. The commissioners said they will revisit the topic Aug. 5. Water system feasibility funding: Geoff Soderquist said the county has not yet received a contract from the Department of Health (DOH) for grant funding that will cover feasibility work related to the county’s potential takeover of Thurston County-owned water systems that are located within Lewis County. Geoff said Public Works recently completed visits to the Thurston County-owned sites, with associated costs for those site visits totaling roughly $5,000. He noted that the DOH grant will cover such costs but that since the contract has not yet been received, Public Works must cover the expenses. Becky outlined potential ways to cover the costs, including the use of a general fund transfer or use of funding from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF). Commissioner Brummer made a motion to allocate up to $10,000 from LATCF to cover Lewis County’s water system feasibility costs. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Senn Road follow-up: Geoff Soderquist discussed a request from property owner Gary Elliott, who has requested the vacation of a 0.36-acre portion of Senn Road. Geoff noted that county policy stipulates that property vacated by the county must be returned to the original owner(s) of record or the subsequent owners in the case of subsequent sales. The commissioners directed staff to review the history of the property to determine to whom it would be returned if vacated. They also directed staff to ask the property owner whether he would be willing to pay for the county to establish – and record – an easement. The commissioners said they’ll revisit the topic Aug. 5. Transfer station lease agreement: Rocky Lyon proposed a gradual decrease in the amount the Solid Waste Disposal District pays for its transfer station lease, with costs decreasing 25 percent each year over the next several years, beginning in 2028. The commissioners expressed support for the proposal. State Auditor’s Office Entrance Conference: State Auditor’s Office (SAO) Audit Supervisor Katie Gravatt and Audit Lead Tony Cuevas joined at 10 a.m. and provided an overview of the SAO’s 2025-26 audit of Lewis County’s financial statements and internal controls. Vacancies: The commissioners discussed vacancies on the Winlock City Council and the Board of Equalization. They said they will revisit the Winlock vacancy on Aug. 5. Lewis County investment pool: The commissioners shared concerns regarding a lack of transparency related to issues the Treasurer’s Office’s has had related to reconciliation errors. The commissioners directed staff to draft a letter to send to the special purpose districts involved in the county’s investment pool to alert them of the discrepancies the Treasurer’s Office has discovered within its investment earnings reporting for 2025 and 2026. They said they will further discuss the topic Aug. 5. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.