Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to COVID-19 pandemic. BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF: RESOLUTION NO. 20-123
EXTEND ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO COUNTY
OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, Lewis County remains committed to sustaining the highest possible level of
services for citizens while keeping the public and county employees safe during the
COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in response to the dangers associated with COVID-19, the Lewis County
Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution 20-101 on March 18, 2020, adjusting
county operations and closing county buildings to public access; and
WHEREAS, in response to the building closures, many of Lewis County's offices and
departments have been providing essential services through other means: online, by
phone, through the mail and via email; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 20-101 indicated the building closures would last through April
3, 2020, unless otherwise announced by the BOCC; and
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, the BOCC met in an open public meeting and voted 3-0 to
extend the building closures through April 17; and
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, Gov. Inslee extended Washington's Stay Home -- Stay
Healthy order through May 4, 2020; and; and
WHEREAS, on April 13, 2020, the BOCC extended the local declaration of a state of
emergency for 30 days via Resolution 20-122; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC recognizes the importance of continuing to limit the number of
people gathered in one building, especially when queues for some services put
individuals in close proximity for times greater than 10 to 15 minutes; and
WHEREAS, RCW 38.52 vests emergency powers in the BOCC to take extraordinary
measures for the preservation of public health and to relieve loss, hardship and
suffering; and
WHEREAS, the severity of the situation demands that the BOCC take measures to
continue to protect the public and county employees from further transmission of
COVID-19 in Lewis County.
•
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the BOCC that the following policies related to
county facilities shall take effect at 5 p.m. April 13, 2020:
1. All county facilities and buildings will remain closed to public access -- with access
available only to county employees -- with the exception of the Lewis County Law
and Justice Center, the Juvenile Court building and the Coroner's Office, which will
have limited access for the public.
2. The presiding judges may make independent decisions concerning the operations
of the Law and Justice Center and the Juvenile Court building, and the Coroner
may make independent decisions concerning the operations of the Coroner's
Office.
3. The closures discussed herein shall be in effect through Monday, May 4, 2020,
unless otherwise announced by the Board of County Commissioners
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 13th day of April, 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Amber Smith Gary Stamper
By: Amber Smith, Gary Stamper, Chair
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST: ,..7_*0ofgs,;• Edna J . Fund
"c.,Edna J. Fund, Vice Chair
S1�45 U',..•
Rieva Lester _ Robert C. Jackson
Rieva Lester, Robert C. Jackson, Commissioner
Clerk of the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners
BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: 20-123 BOCC Meeting Date: April 13, 2020
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Deliberation
Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Contact: Rieva Lester Phone: 3607401419
Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners
Description:
Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Approvals: Publication Requirements:
Publications:
User Status
PA's Office Approved
Additional Copies: Cover Letter To: