2026-04-06 Wrap UpBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
April 6, 2026
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, David Bailey, Matt Thuston, Anders Pollman, Geoff Soderquist, Angie Hodge,
Grace Jimenez, Natalie Kamieniecki, Meja Handlen, Ross Petersen, Edna Fund, George Dodd, Fionna
Velazquez, Liz Hill, Ashely Hamilton, Mindy Brooks
Guest(s): Peter Lahmann, Lisa Striedinger-Hubbard, unnamed guest
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 9:10 a.m. to discuss two topics: Vader Water and the
Southwest Washington Fair carnival contract.
• At 9:10 a.m., Commissioner Pollock extended executive session until 9:20 a.m.
• At 9:20 a.m., Commissioner Pollock extended executive session until 9:30 a.m.
• At 9:30 a.m., Commissioner Pollock extended executive session until 9:35 a.m.
Executive session ended at 9:35 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) obligations: Becky Butler said the current
unallocated LATCF balance stands at $326,975. She said the BOCC allocated $767,241 of LATCF funds to
the future LEOFF I long-term care/post-employment benefit liability. At year-end 2025, she said, the
recalculated LEOFF I liability stood at $6,745,079, while the balance in the County LEOFF Fund was
$7,897,355. Becky said the liability is therefore fully funded due to the transfers Auditor Larry Grove
made in prior years. She presented the following options for the commissioners’ consideration:
• Reallocate the $767,241 previously designated for LEOFF I: Since the LEOFF I liability is now
fully covered by existing fund balances, she said the commissioners may wish to reallocate these
resources to other eligible general-government costs.
• Leave the $767,241 in the LEOFF Fund and authorize an interest sweep: Becky said the Board
could choose to retain the allocation within the LEOFF Fund and direct the Treasurer to sweep
investment earnings for general-government use over the next two years. For reference, she
said, the LEOFF fund’s interest earnings totaled $432,662 in 2025.
• Apply the remaining unallocated balance ($326,975) to public-safety salaries: Becky
recommended using the current unallocated LATCF balance to partially offset the planned
reduction in the 2026 traffic-policing transfer, thereby supporting public-safety salaries in 2026.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to allocate the unobligated LATCF amount of $326,975
toward Public Safety salaries for 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Hearing Room windows: Matt Thuston said staff has determined that water leaks in the Historic
Courthouse and Law and Justice are coming from the buildings’ façades. He said crews will make repairs.
Vacancies: The commissioners discussed committee vacancies:
• The commissioners directed staff to move forward with a resolution to appoint the two
applicants – James Owen and Theodore Gilbert – to the East Lewis County Public Development
Authority (ELCPDA).
• The commissioners directed staff to reach out to Jason Mattson and Bill Teitzel regarding the
vacancy on the Lewis County Historical Museum Board of Directors.
• Rieva Lester provided an update regarding outreach for the Law and Justice Council positions.
Minute folders: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve minutes for the weeks of March 2,
9, 16 and 23. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.