2604_PHSS Re-ORG Request Read Ahead
Meja Handlen, Director
O 360.740.1223 F 360.740.1438 TDD 360.740.1480 Joseph Wiley, M.D. Health Officer
Date: April 9, 2026
To: Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
From: Meja Handlen, Public Health & Social Services (PHSS) Director
RE: PHSS Re-Org Request Read Ahead
PHSS requests BOCC approval of the organizational changes outlined below. These actions are
intended to strengthen the department’s ability to provide timely, accurate, and consistent
service; reduce service delays and staff overload; improve administrative coordination and
compliance; and create the operational capacity needed to meet current service demands.
PHSS is not requesting an increase in General Fund support for these actions. Funding sources
and associated fiscal guardrails are detailed in the Fiscal Impact section.
Requested BOCC Actions
1) Environmental Health (EH): Increase Customer Service Representative (CSR) coverage
from 1.0 FTE to 1.2 FTE by restructuring the current 1.0 FTE CSR into two 0.6 FTE CSR
positions to improve continuity, coverage, and scheduling efficiency.
2) Add 1.0 FTE CSR to the PHSS third-floor main office to ensure continuous counter/phone
coverage, avoid service interruptions, and allow the Administrative Assistant to perform
core administrative duties.
3) Add 1.0 FTE Administrative Assistant Senior to provide complex and confidential clerical
support to the PHSS Director, Deputy Director, and department managers and to
coordinate executive-level administrative functions.
Implications for the BOCC
Improves the department’s ability to deliver prompt, dependable service to the public
without unnecessary delays.
Reduces bottlenecks and workload strain that can lead to delays, errors, and avoidable
inefficiencies.
Improves internal coordination, accountability, and compliance to protect the integrity of
department operations.
Meja Handlen, Director
O 360.740.1223 F 360.740.1438 TDD 360.740.1480 Joseph Wiley, M.D. Health Officer
Background, Justification, and Expected Outcomes
1) Environmental Health Coverage (1.0 → 1.2 FTE via two 0.6 FTE CSRs)
Environmental Health experiences seasonal workload fluctuations and requires reliable
office coverage to support timely permit processing. Converting one 1.0 FTE role into
two 0.6 FTE roles improves schedule flexibility, cross-training, and coverage reliability.
2) Add 1.0 FTE CSR – PHSS Main Office (Third Floor)
PHSS tested additional CSR coverage during an extended Administrative Assistant leave
using a cross-trained casual CSR and observed improved continuity of counter
operations. PHSS processes approximately 700 food permits, 2,100 water tests, and
6,600 vital records annually. A permanent CSR supports uninterrupted counter and
phone coverage, protects fee-supported customer service, and restores the
Administrative Assistant’s capacity for core work (inventory, onboarding, performance
documentation, facilities/IT coordination, and board support).
3) Add 1.0 FTE Administrative Assistant Senior
Managers are routinely diverted to provide clerical and front counter coverage,
reducing their capacity for fiscal oversight, executive responsibilities, and other core
administrative functions. An Administrative Assistant Senior would provide complex,
confidential support to the Director, Deputy Director, and managers, including
scheduling, BOCC materials preparation, invoice tracking, public disclosure coordination,
inventory management, and cash receipting controls. Adding this position strengthens
executive-level administrative support, improves responsiveness for time-sensitive and
confidential matters, and allows fiscal leadership to focus on budgeting, grant compliance,
succession planning, and audit readiness.
Fiscal Impact, Funding Source, and Sustainability Guardrails
PHSS is not requesting an increase to the department’s General Fund support for these actions.
Costs and funding sources are summarized below. CSR pay grade increase costs are included
within the staffing items shown.
Meja Handlen, Director
O 360.740.1223 F 360.740.1438 TDD 360.740.1480 Joseph Wiley, M.D. Health Officer
Action
Monthly Est. Cost
(Sal and Benefits)
Funding Source General
Fund
Impact
EH CSR restructure
(net +0.2 FTE)
$2,833.74
Fee/permit revenue
+ existing PHSS grant
revenue
None
Main Office CSR (1.0
FTE)
$5,985.75 Fee/permit revenue
+ existing PHSS grant
revenue
None
Administrative
Assistant Senior (1.0
FTE)
$7,207.86 Existing PHSS grant
revenue
None
Total estimated cost $16,027.35 Fee/permit revenue
+ existing PHSS
grant revenue
None
Sustainability Guardrails
PHSS will operate these positions within the available fee and grant resources
identified above.
PHSS will not request General Fund backfill for these actions without returning to BOCC
with options and a fiscal recommendation.
Implementation Timing
PHSS proposes an effective date of April 1, 2026, if approved by the BOCC, and when Human
Resources, Budget, and the Union provide information on impacted positions.
Recommendation
PHSS recommends BOCC approve all four actions as presented to protect public access to fee-
supported services, reduce operational risk, and strengthen fiscal and compliance oversight,
without increasing the department’s General Fund support.
Respectfully submitted,
Meja Handlen
Director, Public Health and Social Services (PHSS)
Current ORG Chart
Proposed ORG Chart