2023-09-25 County ManagerCounty Manager Update
September 25, 2023
10:15 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Steve Wohld, Lee
Napier, Amber Smith, Meja Handlen, Doug Carey, Becky Butler, Nic Scott, David Bailey, Robert Bradley,
Eric Eisenberg, Matt Jaeger, Matt Thuston, Alex Murray, Jonathan Meyer, Commissioner Brummer (by
phone at 10:34 a.m. during executive session)
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None
Change orders: Doug Carey
• Rainier parking lot: Addressing the unsuitable soil increase $135,000
• Sheriff’s substation: Midway will need to enlist the services of a subcontractor, increasing
costs by $45,000
Annual fee schedule review: Lee Napier said the commissioners will be asked to review the annual fee
schedule in November. Lee said the proposal is to a 25 percent increase to by-square-foot building
permits to offset increased costs.
Homeless shelter funding: Becky Butler said the commissioners will be asked to consider two
resolutions: one to establish a fund for the homeless shelter and another to provide for a loan from the
LATCF to provide temporary funding for the project. Doug said the new Community Development
building should be ready in February or March, allowing the Community Development current building
to be used for the homeless shelter thereafter.
Budget planning process: Ryan Barrett said changes to preliminary budget are due Sept. 26. Becky said
the preliminary review shows a deficit of $5 million, which doesn’t include the additional $2 million in
office and department requests. Becky noted that other counties throughout the state also are facing a
bleak budget forecast.
Security camera audit: At 10:34 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced that the Board was going into
Executive Session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 10:44 a.m. to discuss the security camera audit.
• At 10:44 a.m., Commissioner Swope extended Executive Session until 10:54 a.m.
• At 10:54 a.m., Commissioner Swope extended Executive Session until 11 a.m.
Executive Session ended at 11 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Meeting adjourned at 11 a.m.