2023-03-20 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
March 20, 2023
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Mindy Brooks, Lee Napier, Meja Handlen, Becky Butler, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill,
Josh Metcalf, Nic Scott, Sara Sons, Justia Madrigal, Eric Eisenberg, Daleyn Coleman, Amber Smith, Doug
Carey, Javier Mejia, Sara Bumgardner, Tom Stanton
Guest(s): John Christian, Bill Serrahn
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
2023 legislative session: Josh Weiss said the economic forecast is expected later in the day. Josh said
the cut-off to get bills out of committee is March 29.
Troy Nichols said the Senate budget has been released.
Josh said the Ways and Means Committee will review the following in the coming days:
• HB 1267 to expand the timeline for .09 (Distressed Counties).
• HB 1789 regarding the DNR carbon offsets. The commissioners agreed to continue in opposition.
The group also discussed SB 1515, HB 1756 and 1572.
Sheriff’s Jail Captain salary request: Undersheriff Wes Rethwill requested the commissioners amend
Resolution 14-211 to address the salary for the Sheriff’s Jail Captain by adjusting the salary percentages
between ranks. The commissioners said they would approve the request via resolution.
Requests for letters of support:
• Public Health and Social Services request to send a letter to the legislators requesting
additional appropriation for Developmental Disability Administration (DDA): Sara Sons noted
that the county has lost a provider due to underfunding of the DDA. The commissioners agreed
to send letters to the House and Senate committee leaders.
• Twin Transit request for a letter of support regarding its effort to secure Regional Clean
Hydrogen Hubs funding from the Department of Ecology. The commissioners said they would
revisit the topic March 22.
Identify Associate Development Organization (ADO): The commissioners agreed to designate the
Economic Alliance as the county’s ADO.
Approval of minutes for the week of March 6, 2023: The commissioners agreed to delay the approval of
the week’s minute folder.
Packwood Subarea Plan update: Mindy Brooks said Community Development would like to begin
providing updates regarding the Planning Commission’s work. She said some topics, such as the YMCA,
are quasi-judicial and cannot be discussed. Mindy said she would like to issue a press release regarding
the Planning Commission’s move to continue its hearing on three topics to 6 p.m. March 28. Mindy and
Commissioner Brummer noted that the Planning Commission is discussing short-term rentals.
Commissioner Brummer stressed that the public needs to be reminded that the Planning Commission is
an advisory body and that the commissioners are the policy makers.
Long-range plan: Commissioner Pollock discussed updates she’d like to see in the long-range plan.
County Manager Erik Martin said to forward updates – including those regarding the grain terminal – to
him for inclusion.
Calendars: Commissioner Pollock discussed an upcoming high-speed internet meeting planned for April
in Boistfort. She said she’d like staff to create a press release for the event.
Meeting ended at 10:15 a.m.