2026-02-09 Wrap-Up County ManagerBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
February 9, 2026
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, David Bailey, Warren McLeod, Mindy Brooks, Geoff Soderquist, Matt Patana,
Angie Hodge, Casey Mauermann, Caroline Garibay, Fionna Velazquez, Meja Handlen, Rachel Lester,
Vanessa Ruelas, Josh Weiss, Troy Nichols, Devin Gayton
Guest(s): Unnamed guests, Peggy McNamara Rath, William Serrahn
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Executive session: At 9 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:05 a.m. to discuss the Paul Bromm matter.
Executive session ended at 9:05 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
Planning Commission vacancies: Mindy Brooks discussed the Planning Commission’s recommendations
for the District 2 vacancy. The commissioners directed staff to update the Feb. 10 resolution to appoint
Robert Hankins to the District 2 vacancy.
Capital Facilities – evidence room project: Matt Patana said the Capital Facilities committee has
recommended upgrades to the Sheriff’s Office evidence room, which would require funding totaling up
to $25,000. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the Capital Facilities evidence room
project. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Motor vehicle fuel tax repayment options: Becky Butler said the state owes more than $2 million in
motor vehicle fuel taxes. Commissioner Swope said the state wants to repay the amount over 13 years.
The commissioners said they will further discuss the topic in executive session Feb. 11.
Risk position: Becky Butler said job descriptions for the Risk Specialist and Safety Manager positions
were created prior to filling the positions, with the Risk position established at grade 121 and the Safety
Manager established at 122. She said a review of the positions shows they should be the same grade.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to reclassify the Risk Specialist position from a grade 121 to a
grade 122 effective March 1, 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Packwood Trail Project’s La Wis Wis trail: Mindy Brooks discussed a letter to the Forest Service
encouraging the Forest Service to add the Packwood Trail Project proposal to its project list for 2027.
The commissioners agreed to sign the letter of support.
.09 / Distressed Counties vacancy: The commissioners directed staff to move forward with a resolution
appointing Winlock Mayor Victoria Marincin to represent small cities on the .09 / Distressed Counties.
2027 Budget planning: Becky provided the following proposed dates for 2026 all-day Budget meetings:
• Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Tuesday, Sept. 29
• Wednesday, Oct. 7
The commissioners said they would revisit the topic Feb. 18.
Legislative update: Josh Weiss said Feb. 9 is the cutoff day for bills to move forward.
Josh said a substitute for SB 6346 bumps the amount dedicated to indigent defense to 7 percent and
incorporates WSAC’s proposed funding distribution. Josh said that formula shows Lewis County
receiving 1.86 percent of the funding for a total of just under $4 million. The commissioners said they
are opposed to supporting the millionaires’ tax that would fund it.
Proposal to update county code to allow electric-motor vessels on Packwood and Carlisle Lakes: The
commissioners discussed the proposal. They said they will look at allowing motor vehicles during specific
times.
Calendars: Commissioner Swope said LSC has a special meeting Feb. 12 to discuss the proposed
millionaires’ tax and NACO has a special meeting Feb. 13. The commissioners directed staff to cancel the
Feb. 25 Directors’ Update as there will be no quorum.
Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.