2022-02-28 County Manager UpdateCounty Manager Update
February 28, 2022
11:00 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Lara McRea, Lee Napier, Alison Puckett, Josh Metcalf, Austin Majors, Chris Panush, Becky Butler,
Connie Riker, Semere Huckleberry, Eric Eisenberg, Doug Carey, Katie Conradi
Guest: Willie Painter
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Budget
Becky said that any future American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) meetings should be more focused and
departments should be available to represent. Read-a-heads should be available and the future
meetings should be more workshop oriented to better allocate funds.
Communications Plan
Austin Majors presented a draft communications plan for the Board to review. Austin said the intent of
the communication plan is to enhance all current owned-media outlets, increase owned-media outlets
and launch new owned-media outlets. Austin said these outlet sources would then communicate to
earned-media outlets. Austin would like to update Lewis County’s social media policy, create an identity
graphics manual, launch new social media accounts, create a public information page on the Lewis
County website, expand use of features provided on Lewis County’s email marketing platform, and
launch a regularly distributed newsletter. Austin said he would also like to establish a baseline for the
metrics of the communication channels and create department / office press release templates and
develop a Commissioner’s opinion page.
Data sharing agreement
Erik Martin said that he, Eric Eisenberg and Willie Painter from the Lewis PUD have been working toward
a data-sharing agreement. Eric Eisenberg said this agreement requires voluntary compliance and is an
interlocal agreement that covers non-confidential information to meet the requirements of the State
Auditor’s Office.
Public Works / DEM Update
No spray agreements: Josh Metcalf spoke about some recent concerns about the no-spray agreements.
The application and process was revised almost two years ago in effort to maintain roadways according
to state laws. Signs and right of ways weren’t maintained properly, licensing and filing requirements
needed upkeep and vegetation management wasn’t being maintained. Josh said the official roll-out of
no-spray agreements went out for 2022 implementing fees associated with the costs of upkeep and
maintenance. The fee pays for the signage and for processing the application. Public Works installed the
signage based on signage placement requirements.
Commissioner Grose would like to redo the resolution to have a $25 fee or no fee.
Meeting adjourned at 12:06 p.m.