2024-06-25 BudgetBudget Update
June 25, 2024
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler
Guest(s):
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Becky Butler provided the following updates and overviews:
• 2024 year-to-date: Revenue is not keeping pace with expenditures. Year-to-date expenditures
are roughly $1.3 million higher than the same time in 2023, while revenue is only $607,000
higher.
• 2025 budget planning: Commissioners will soon be asked to establish 2025 budget limitations.
One option is to instruct offices and departments to absorb any increases in contracts,
interfunds, etc.
• 2025 budget planning: Volunteers are being sought for the Citizens Budget Committee.
• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): Commissioners can consider moving excess from the 911
project (totaling $500,000) to General Reserves as one-time funds to plug budget holes,
restricting the funds as contingency funds.
• ARPA: State Auditor’s Office has begun its audit of Lewis County’s use of ARPA funding.
• Opioid settlement funds: County has received $1.2 million year to date.
• Broadband grant: Work in the Winlock area continues.
• Risk: Claims Administrator Aimee Albright has announced her upcoming resignation. Risk Pool
will provide onsite playground certification June 27-28.
>> Public Defense: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to clarify that Ordinance 1352, adopted on Jan.
2, 2024, established case weights as follows:
• Driving under the influence: Two units.
• Cases filed as domestic violence: Two units.
• All other types of cases not listed: One unit.
• Driving while license suspended or no valid operator license: One-half unit.
• Newly appointed post-conviction show cause: One-third unit.
And established unit billing breakdowns as follows:
• One unit is $420.
• One-half unit is $210.
• One-third of a unit is $140.
Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Public Defense: Becky noted that the county has renewed its contract with JP Enbody and that staff has
found a public defender for the Raegan case.
Meeting ended at 2:52 p.m.