2018-09-27 Prelim Budget mtg -- Public Works2019 Preliminary Budget Meeting – Public Works II
September 27, 2018
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund; Commissioner Jackson; Commissioner Stamper; County Manager Erik
Martin; Budget Services Manager Becky Butler; Central Services Director Steve Walton; Interim Public
Works Director Tim Fife; Solid Waste Services Manager Steve Skinner; Accountant Kristen Buckman;
Public Works Administrative Assistant Kim Amrine; Senior Utility Engineer Betsy Dillin; and Citizens
Budget Committee members Judy Pectol, Bill Marshall and Robert Berg
Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock, Linda Williams (2:54 p.m.)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Unfunded mandates discussed: N/A
Solid Waste
Revenue: $2,639,657
Expenditures: $2,467,043
Change in Fund balance: ($172,614)
Full-time equivalent employees: 16.40
Solid Waste Services Manager Steve Skinner discussed the use of Fund 415 and Fund 401.
Steve outlined upcoming projects as well as projects on the horizon.
Steve discussed the county’s recycling programs and the challenges the county faces. He said China has
cracked down on contaminated recycled goods. He said water bottles, laundry detergent bottles and
other 1 and 2 plastics are recyclable whereas toys, clam shells, plant pots, etc., are not.
Steve noted that recycling isn’t self-sustaining. He said the true costs outweigh the revenues.
Steve said the county working on a new host agreement with Centralia.
He said Solid Waste also helps the county with court-ordered nuisance abatement.
Steve discussed the cleanup of the Bonagofski property on Reynolds Road. He said there has been no
findings of lasting ground contamination. He said five or six loads of cardboard and 200 cars were
recycled.
Commissioner Fund left at 2:35 p.m.
Steve Skinner and Kristen Buckman left at 2:39 p.m.
Vader Water
Revenue: $1.3 million
Expenditures: $1.3 million
Change in fund balance: $15,201
Full-time equivalent employees: 1.59
Tim Fife said the RCW indicates that if a water system is failing, the county can try to find someone
willing to take it over and can ultimately take it over.
Tim said the biggest problem – leaks – already was taken care. Betsy Dillin said a lot of work has been
done since 2010 despite efforts to keep rates down. Erik Martin said the system uses surface water from
the Cowlitz River.
Betsy said a new potable reservoir is being constructed using grant funding. She said the old reservoir
will be used as a sediment-settling tank, which would decrease energy costs.
Commissioner Fund returned at 2:47 p.m.
Commissioner Jackson left at 2:51 p.m.
Betsy said Vader Water serves roughly 700 people with 370 connections.
Linda Williams joined at 2:54 p.m.
Tim said the Health Department has suggested the county take over some other area water systems.
Commissioner Jackson returned at 2:57 p.m.
Erik said there is talk at the state level about regionalization of water services.
The group discussed the various funds Public Works oversees.
Meeting ended at 3:02 p.m.