2018-01-17 Auditor-Treasurer Update1
Auditor / Treasurer Update
January 17, 2018
10:36 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Rodney Reynolds, Suzette
Smith, Arny Davis, Larry Grove, Becky Butler, Steve Walton, Glenn Carter (10:53 a.m.), Jonathan Meyer
(10:59 a.m.), Eric Eisenberg (11:04 a.m.), Heather Boyer (11:12 a.m.), Tom Stanton (11:12 a.m.), Scott
Tinney (11:20 a.m.)
Guest(s): Justyna Tomtas
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Rodney Reynolds said Lewis County was investing at 1 percent to 1.5 percent five years ago. He said
investments are now at 2.25 percent. He said current expense is at $3.7 million and has a higher yield.
Arny Davis discussed the fund investments for Capital Facilities. He said the fund has $9.17 million. Of
that, he said, $5.13 million is liquid. He said a portion of that could be invested into long-term funds.
Suzette Smith cautioned that more review would need to be performed to identify restricted funds.
Glenn Carter arrived at 10:53 a.m.
Rodney Reynolds gave an overview of the county’s revenues.
The group discussed indigent defense payments.
Jonathan Meyer joined the meeting at 10:59 a.m.
The group discussed the diversion. Arny said tax revenue sources are up for the year.
The group discussed the fair entertainment fund.
Eric Eisenberg joined the meeting at 11:04 a.m.
Suzette said she would draft a resolution to close the fair entertainment fund.
Rodney further discussed the diverted road taxes.
Heather Boyer and Tom Stanton joined the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
Suzette gave an overview of expenditures for 2017. She discussed the upcoming budget amendments
for Roads and the Solid Waste Disposal District.
Suzette gave a brief Munis update.
Scott Tinney joined at 11:20 a.m.
Commissioner Jackson and Arny Davis left at 11:23 a.m.
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Heather Boyer said One Lewis County submitted a signature petition the previous week. She said she
believes that although there were not enough signatures, the group likely will collect enough signatures
to place it on the ballot.
Commissioner Jackson and Arny Davis returned at 11:26 a.m.
Eric Eisenberg said members of the PA’s office will represent the following groups regarding the charter
process:
• Eric Eisenberg – BOCC
• Jonathan and Ross Petersen – electeds (excluding the commissioners)
• David Fine – the freeholders
Heather discussed filing options, including having one filing per district with the top vote-getters
advancing OR they could be filed per position.
The group discussed having the filing period for the freeholders run concurrently with the filing period
for other offices.
Eric discussed filing fees for the freeholder positions. He said the filing fee for offices that make less than
$100,000 is $10. He said the BOCC is not obligated to attach a filing fee.
Eric discussed the pros and cons of the BOCC initiating the ballot process for a charter. One change, he
said, is it would eliminate the need to create a nomination process.
Eric said the state Constitution says the procedure for nominating the freeholders shall be prescribed by
the commissioners. He said “nominations” is ambiguous and could be viewed as using filing, holding
conventions, hand-picking nominees, or identifying electors.
Jonathan said it would be easiest and cleanest step would be to treat it the same as any other filing.
Eric said commissioners could not run to be freeholders but that others running for elected positions
might be able to.
Larry said a standard filing process would appear to be the best way to get a broad spectrum of
participation.
Eric said Clark County did not charge a filing fee and found that in retrospect a nominal fee may have
been the better choice.
Jonathan said he believes freeholder hopefuls must be registered voters who have resided in the county
for at least five years preceding the election. Eric said it may be best to include the same language.
Commissioner Jackson left at 11:54 a.m.
Commissioner Fund said no campaigning can take place within the walls of the county courthouse.
Eric said an easier procedure will cost less: such as using a small filing fee, going by district, using the top
vote-getters.
The group discussed technology constraints that could dictate that voters would only vote for one
person if the BOCC went with the top vote-getters.
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Commissioner Fund discussed the steps the freeholders will have to take, including undergoing OPMA
training, taking minutes, following the Public Records Act, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 12:09 p.m.