2025-12-15 Wrap Up CMBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
December 15, 2025
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer (via Zoom), Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County
Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Geoff Soderquist, Kirsten Wecker, Mindy Brooks, Doyle Sanford,
Meja Handlen, David Bailey, Angie Hodge, Rocky Lyon, Matt Patana, Erika Katt, Caroline Garibay, Grace
Jimenez, Graham Gowing, John Abplanalp, Nathaniel Barr, Sherri Dokken
Guest(s): State Director of Emergency Management Robert Ezelle, unnamed guests
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Flood update: Erika Katt provided an update on forecasted rain and high winds, noting that the Cowlitz
River is expected to reach moderate flood stage at Randle.
Executive session: At 9:06 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:15 a.m. to discuss two topics: Randall Lodwig tort
claim and NSO 11/2021 Rule Litigation.
Executive session ended at 9:15 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve the proposed settlement regarding the AFRC vs US
Fish and Wildlife rule litigation. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 2-0.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve the deny the Lodwig tort claim. Commissioner
Pollock seconded. Motion passed 2-0.
Business meeting agenda: Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve the following resolutions,
and Commissioner Brummer seconded:
• Resolution 25-363: Declare disaster in Lewis County.
• Resolution 25-364: Adopt a temporarily reduced building inspection fee for flood-impacted
structures.
• Resolution 25-365: Temporarily reduce the coliform (bacteria) water testing fees for flood-
impacted individuals in East Lewis County.
Motion passed 3-0.
Business Meeting agenda: Commissioner Swope made a motion to add to the Dec. 16, 2025, BOCC
Business Meeting the following resolutions, and Commissioner Brummer seconded:
• Resolution 25-368: Award Law and Justice Boiler replacement project to Elite Mechanical
Services LLC.
• Resolution 25-374: Approve a collective bargaining agreement between Lewis County and the
Lewis County Corrections Guild for Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026.
• Resolution 25-375: Approve a collective bargaining agreement between Lewis County, the Lewis
County Prosecuting Attorney, and the Association of Lewis County Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys
for Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
Motion passed 3-0.
Community recognition: The commissioners directed staff to plan an event in East Lewis County in mid-
January to honor community members for their flood efforts.
Solid Waste: Rocky Lyon provided a recap of debris disposal. Rocky said it sounds like there will be more
than 50 RVs in need of disposal. He said DEM has indicated funding is available for help with disposal of
RVs. Geoff Soderquist said disposal site hours will vary due to Christmas. Meja Handlen note there are
12 to 20 families who’ve been left homeless due to the flood event.
COLAs for non-represented employees: The commissioners directed staff to draft a resolution to
approve a 2.7 percent cost of living adjustment for non-represented employees for 2026.
NACo conference (DC in February): Commissioner Swope said he’d like a budget adjustment to allow
Commissioner Pollock to also attend the NACo conference in DC in February.
Regional Education & Training Center request for $80,000 Distressed Counties (.09) grant: The
commissioners said they would like to further discuss the topic in executive session.
Meeting adjourned at 9:44 a.m.