2022-08-23 Budget UpdateBudget Update
August 23, 2022
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Becky Butler, Jenn Libby-Jones, Nic Scott, Lara McRea, Tammy Martin, Kate Chatterton, Steve
Wohld (2:06 p.m.)
Guest(s): Paul Crowner, Tim Wood, Reynaldo Rodriguez
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Budget planning: Becky Butler reminded the group that Munis and Tyler Cashiering would be off-line
Sept. 9-11 to allow for upgrades. She said preliminary budgets are due Sept. 12. Becky said integration
of OpenGov may delay the process slightly. She noted she is working on adjustments related to the
recently-approved COLAS.
Becky said she is working with the PA’s Office to on the office assistant position the commissioners
approved for the group.
Becky said the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee met the previous week to review organizational
structures, budgets and timelines. She said she has created a fillable form offices and departments can
use to request budget increases and that the preliminary budget will be presented to the BOCC Oct. 4.
Becky said American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) agreements have been sent to the City of Napavine, the
City of Vader, the Fox Theatre and the Roxy Theater for their review. She said the fairgrounds will need
to issue an RFP for its water project and that broadband agreements have been sent to the Washington
Statewide Broadband Office (WSBO) and ToledoTel for review.
Title II and Title III allocation: Becky said the county has until mid-September to set its allocation for
Secure Rural Schools funding. She noted that payments are divided into three distinct categories: Title I
for roads and schools, Title II for projects on Federal lands, and Title III for county projects. She noted
that Lewis County has not allocated any funds to Title III since 2014 because the allowed uses were so
restricted. The group discussed the administrative efforts that would be required to administer grants if
the county allotted funds for Title III. The commissioners said they would prefer to leave the funds
allocated to Title II.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to allocate the full 15 percent to Title II. Commissioner Pollock
seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Becky discussed Timber Counties funds that will be allocated to the counties by the federal government.
Meeting adjourned at 2:43 p.m.