2018-04-24 Update with Emergency ServicesUpdate with Emergency Services
April 24, 2018
10:04 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Steve Mansfield, Steve
Walton, Becky Butler
Recorder: Rieva Lester
ILA budget committee: Steve Mansfield said the first meeting
was held the previous week. He said he outlined what will
need to happen in 2018 and 2019.
He said Becky Butler created a PowerPoint indicating the
county’s shortfalls, including expenditures outweighing
revenues. Steve Mansfield said the budget subcommittee will
need to address the estimated $76,900 shortfall for 2018 as
well as two studies, which total and estimated $50,000. Steve
Walton said the written memo showed 10 percent for 2017 and a similar rate for 2018.
Steve Mansfield said the user groups have indicated they don’t want to pay more than the 10 percent.
Commissioner Fund discussed the possibility of coal transition grants through TransAlta.
Becky Butler said the shortfall has been created by salaries and benefits.
Commissioner Jackson said the county cannot shoulder the shortfall.
Becky suggested the commissioners speak to the city officials in person to present the message clearly.
Commissioner Stamper discussed the study cost.
Becky mentioned waiting until 2019 to do a true up.
Becky said she has a spreadsheet that outlines the costs.
Steve Mansfield stressed the long-term need for an E board to take ownership and approach it as a
group effort.
Steve Mansfield asked the Board for direction on future decisions regarding privatization.
Commissioner Jackson discussed bringing in Cowlitz County for a discussion on how they have
privatized.
Steve Mansfield said Undersheriff Rethwill understands the need for long-term vision.
Becky stressed that the group needs to realize that if a larger user leaves, the rest of the user group
would have to pick up that user’s share of the costs.
TO-DO LIST / RECAP
Steve Mansfield: Meet again
with the commissioners after
April 26
Commissioner Jackson asked if WSP could be Lewis County’s primary.
Steve Mansfield said the user group would lose a lot if an outside entity took over.
Becky stressed that the cost is not going to go down, and she said the county shares in covering the rate
increases through the Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioner Fund asked for documentation about the cost breakdown.
Steve Walton said the other piece looming is the contract negotiations, which could be complete in 2018
or 2019.
The commissioners said they would like to meet with Steve Mansfield again following his April 26
meeting with the user groups.
Commissioner Jackson and Steve Walton left at 10:55 a.m.
Steve Mansfield briefly discussed various emergency management exercises: National Frozen Foods,
Toledo School District, Tacoma Dam and Providence Hospital.
Steve Mansfield said he really needs direction from the board.
Meeting ended at 11:01 a.m.