2021-11-23 Informational Budget MeetingInformational Budget Meeting (special meeting)
November 23, 2021
5:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Budget Services Manager Becky Butler, Josh Metcalf, Meja Handlen, Tim Fife, Tammy Martin,
Chris Panush (5:39 p.m.), Connie Riker
Citizens Budget Committee members: Nancy Keaton, Frank Corbin, Harry O. Bhagwandin
Guests: Ron Averill, Peter Lahmann, Nic Scott, Eric Rosane, Chelle Wilder, Cathy Kane
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Budget Services Manager Becky Butler provided an overview of the 2022 budget.
She provided the following budget outlook / recap:
• The commissioners have chosen not to increase the county’s levy by up to 1 percent, as allowed
by RCW. She said the county has opted to instead bank its capacity.
• The Assessor estimates countywide new construction collection for 2022 to be $354 million, up
from the $242 million collected in 2021.
• Lewis County’s Median home value in was $299,090 in the second quarter 2021, and home
prices rose by 14.5 percent within a year.
• Sales tax revenue is 31 percent above 2020 figures for taxes collected through August.
• Lewis County’s unemployment rate has dropped from a high of 16.3 percent in 2020 to 4.3
percent in September 2021.
• The county is investing in long-term infrastructure improvements including water, sewer,
broadband, water banks and roads to promote future economic development.
Becky provided the following overview of the budget timeline:
• May: Provide outlook, analysis and projections.
• June: Set budget limitations and internal service rates.
• August: Distribute call letter and budget worksheets.
• September: Offices and departments submit preliminary requests.
• October: Present preliminary budget to BOCC and meeting with offices and departments.
• November: Make final review of changes and increase requests as well as finalize tax levy
calculations.
• December: Adopt final budget and set tax levies.
Becky reviewed fund types, including:
• The general fund
• Special revenue
• Debt service
• Capital
• Enterprise
• Internal services
Becky reviewed expenditure types, such as:
• Debt services
• Intergovernmental
• Salaries
• Professional services
• Interfunds
• Benefits
• Supplies
• Capital
Becky and County Manager Erik Martin discussed the community-based Strategic Plan and outlined
efforts already completed since its inception.
Becky reviewed COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Funds and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Public Works Director Josh Metcalf reviewed Lewis County’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP).
He said the TIP is designed to Develop Lewis County’s future transportation improvement programs and
projects and to provide a comprehensive transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years.
Josh said several factors and criteria are considered when considering and creating projects:
• Functional classification
• High-accident location
• Area Supervisor comments / maintenance effort
• Public comment / concern
• Development potential
• Accident history
• Constructability and permits
• Pavement Rating System
• Maintenance offset
• Traffic counts
• Supplemental funding
Josh said 2021 projects included:
• Stowell Road Bridge Scour
• Cousins Road Culvert Replacement
• Jackson Hwy S Culvert Replacement
• Lincoln Creek Road Culvert Replacement
• Townsend Road Bridge Replacement
• 2019 County Safety Program – Phase I
• 2019 County Safety Program – Phase II
• Shorey Road Interim Bank Protection
• Newaukum Valley Road Bank Protection
Josh reviewed projects on the upcoming TIP.
The group discussed county paving crews and complemented the work the crews do.
Meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.