2017-03-15 ESC MeetingESC Meeting
March 15, 2017
8:15 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Jackson, Arny Davis, Dianne Dorey, Suzette Smith, Scott
Tinney, Susie Parker, Hazel Dibble, Danette York, Carma Oaksmith, Erik Martin, Shad Hail, Steve Walton,
Archie Smith, Lee Napier, Wes Rethwill, Jonathan Meyer.
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioner Stamper called the meeting to order.
Dianne Dorey made a motion to approve the February minutes. Jonathan Meyer seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Commissioner Jackson discussed Strategic Planning. He said he will spearhead the effort but that teams
will help work on it. He said he hopes the county can have an updated Strategic Plan in place by April
2018. He said he envisions using small workshops to help reach that goal.
Commissioner Stamper discussed a possible letter regarding the Army Corps of Engineers. He said there
have been discussions about switching from the Seattle Corps of Engineers to the Portland Corps of
Engineers.
Arny Davis said tax statements were sent out a little late. He said tax dollars are rolling in. He discussed
various bills before the state Legislature.
Dianne Dorey said she is training two new employees. She said Thurston County and the state are
drawing away employees. She stressed the need to address ways to retain employees.
Suzette Smith echoed the need for employee retention. She said the Wellness program is up and
running and that 40 percent participation is needed to continue the 4 percent premium reduction.
Scott Tinney said the Clerk’s office has seen a huge increase in the number of passports processed.
Susie Parker said the two new Superior Court judges are settling in, and Hazel Dibble said the new
District Court judge is settling in.
Danette York echoed Dianne’s sentiments about employee retention. Danette said a new student health
study shows Lewis County is struggling with things like teen smoking, etc.
Carma Oaksmith said Fiscal is plugging away at grants, etc.
Erik Martin discussed a recent workshop. He also brought up recruitment and retention as a concern.
Archie Smith discussed the possibility of creating a training agreement.
Erik Martin said the North Lewis County Industrial Access project is moving forward. He offered to share
details with anyone who may be interested.
Shad Hail discussed state-mandated truancy boards and said almost all of the MOUs are in place. He
discussed the required training, for which funding was not provided. He discussed his turnover rate and
the fact that he loses employees to Cowlitz and Thurston counties, often shortly after training gets
completed.
Steve Wohld said IT experienced an outage overnight that affected Parcels, among other things.
Steve Walton said the first budget amendment is planned for April 10. He gave an update on the Munis
finance system. He asked that each office be sure to send employees to the necessary training, and he
thanked Dianne Dorey for allowing the use as one of her rooms for training.
Archie Smith gave an overview about sick leave changes for 2018. Suzette said that since it’s state law,
Munis will be required to write code for it.
Lee Napier said Community Development has been busy with 102 building permits, 24 septic permits.
Wes Rethwill discussed upcoming events for the Sheriff’s Office, including a firearms safety class and a
First Responders day.
Dianne Dorey discussed a “levy swap” proposed at the state Legislature.
Rieva Lester said July 27 is being floated as the possible day for the employee picnic. Danette York asked
about the possibility of trying something new for the employee picnic, such as hiring food trucks.
Meeting ended at 9 a.m.