2020-06-22 County Manager UpdateCounty Manager Update
June 22, 2020
4:02 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Lara McRea, Josh Metcalf, Daleyn Coleman, Becky Butler, Steve Wohld, Janelle Lindsey, Steve
Walton
Guest: Dr. Lindsey Pollock
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Budget: County Manager Erik Martin and Budget Services Manager Becky Butler discussed expenditures
and revenues.
Internal Services
Project updates: Steve Wohld discussed finishing work still taking place in the Auditor’s Office. He said
the Assessor’s Office is awaiting a door.
Opening plans: Steve said offices and departments are open.
Capital projects: Steve Wohld discussed a radio site that had been estimated at $150,000 to $200,000
but came in at an estimated $600,000. He said the county has reached an agreement with Scott Blinks
for $3,600 per year.
Commissioner Jackson made a motion to authorize Steve Wohld or his designee to enter into an
agreement with Scott Blinks regarding the Chehalis Ridge site at $3,600 per year for up to two years.
Commissioner Fund seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Salary survey: Steve Walton said the county received proposals regarding a salary survey. He discussed
the pros and cons of following through with the salary survey, noting the economic uncertainty
surrounding COVID-19 and the need to follow through with promises made to unions. Steve Walton said
the county had earmarked $30,000 for the study. He said the companies in the forerunners are
estimated at $34,500 to $46,500.
The commissioners said they feel that the county committed to completing the salary survey so the
county should continue with the effort. They urged Steve to negotiate the price down to the allotted
amount of $30,000 and noted that there are no guarantees that the consultant’s suggestions could be
implemented.
911: Erik Martin discussed the 911 study, noting that the ILA with the user group does not identify this
particular study. He said the county’s share of the $97,000 study is roughly $25,000. The board directed
Erik to use the 911 reserves to pay for the county’s portion of the study.
Community Development: Erik said the Winlock City Council will discuss later in the day and ILA that
would allow the county to handle permitting for the Benaroya project. Josh Metcalf noted that
Community Development opened to the public earlier in the day and that the foot traffic was somewhat
slow.
Public Works
Fleet rates, including requests: Josh Metcalf said Public Works is trying to limit the number of vehicle
purchases. He said the Assessor’s Office has six vehicles and is using a rental. He suggested the
Assessor’s Office continue using the rental instead of purchasing a new vehicle.
Meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m.