2025-03-17 BOCC Wrap-Up CMBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
March 17, 2025
9:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, Mindy Brooks, Meja Handlen, Geoff Soderquist, Shad Hail, Angie Hodge, Gabe
Anzelini, Judge Toynbee, Josh Weiss, Troy Nichols, Grace Jimenez, Graham Gowing, Guilherme Motta,
Linda Mastin, Marylynne Kostick, Natalie Mauermann, Sherri Dokken, David Bailey, Tom Stanton
Guest(s): Two unnamed guests
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
2025 Legislative Session updates – Josh Weiss and Troy Nichols provided an update on proposed bills,
including the following:
• Next cutoff date is April 2
• Preliminary budgets expected to be released March 24
• Mindy Brooks to testify at LAMIRDs hearing
• Two juvenile justice bills: 5278 and 5296
The commissioners said they support juvenile justice bill 5278 and oppose 5296.
Agenda changes: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to add to the March 18, 2025, BOCC Business
Meeting agenda Resolutions 25-079 (approve a contract with American Power Systems for the Lewis
County Public Safety Radio Battery Backup System) and 25-080 (Temporarily reduce the adoption fees
for adult dogs at the Lewis County Animal Shelter). Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Juvenile staffing request: Shad Hail requested funding to hire two detention officers. The
commissioners said they would return to the topic March 31 after discussing the matter during the
upcoming budget update.
• At 9:48 a.m., Commissioner Brummer recessed the meeting until 10:03 a.m.
• At 10:03 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended the recess until 10:13 a.m.
• At 10:13 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended the recess until 10:18 a.m.
• At 10:18 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended the recess until 10:30 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 10:32 a.m.
Public Works Director position: Ryan Barrett proposed changing the position from a grade 136 to a
grade 137. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to increase the Public Works Director position from a
grade 136 to a grade 137. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Contract Engineer compensation rate: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to increase the Contract
Engineer compensation rate as proposed. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
HR budget amendment request: Ryan Barrett said there are 13 union contracts coming up for contract
negotiations. He said he is requesting a $15,000 HR budget amendment to cover training and a contract
consultant. Becky Butler said the request would be included in the upcoming budget amendment. The
commissioners requested further discussion during the upcoming budget update.
PHSS one-time transfer request (Fund 1900): Meja Handlen reviewed the request. Commissioner
Pollock made a motion to approve the one-time transfer as proposed. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Water District 1 (Randle) vacancy: Rieva Lester
Approval of minute folders: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve minute folders for the
weeks of Feb. 3, 10 and 17. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
All-day budget meetings: Becky Butler said all-day budget meetings have been moved to Sept. 10, 17
and 30.
2024 budget review: Becky provided an overview of the 2024 budget. Becky noted that sales tax
collection dropped in November but rebounded in December.
Correspondence: The commissioners discussed a letter from Hoquiam schoolkids asking for an
ordinance to protect Bigfoot.
Announcements: Ryan Barrett said he and Becky Butler will meet with a representative from Sen. Maria
Cantwell’s office to discuss the county’s request for Congressionally Directed Spending.
Meeting adjourned at 11:03 a.m.