2026-05-18 Wrap-Up County ManagerBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
May 18, 2026
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler,
Rocky Lyon, Geoff Soderquist, Mindy Brooks, Christina Sanders, Angie Hodge, DPA Scott Gripp, Gabe
Anzelini, Graham Gowing, Meja Handlen, Natalie Kaminiecki, Tom Stanton, Caroline Garibay,
Commissioner Swope (9:05 a.m.), Matt Patana, Fionna Velazquez
Guest(s): Unnamed guests
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Business Meeting agenda: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to amend the May 19, 2026, BOCC
Business Meeting agenda to include Resolution 26-142: Authorizing legal defense and indemnity for
Robert Snaza, Sean Swope, Jonathan Meyer and Warren McLeod, and their marital community, if any,
regarding a lawsuit brought by Paul Bromm - Action No. 3:26-cv-05384. Commissioner Pollock seconded.
Motion passed 2-0.
Executive session: At 9:01 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:06 a.m. to discuss the Np Buffer Amicus Curiae with
DPA Scott Gripp, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer and County Manager Ryan Barrett in
attendance.
Commissioner Swope joined the meeting – and joined executive session – at 9:05 a.m.
Executive session ended at 9:06 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
WSU Extension administrative regionalization and MOU: Mike Gaffney and Christina Sanders discussed
WSU’s pilot regionalization process.
• Launch pilots in two regions, including the Southwest Washington region, which includes Lewis
County as well as Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Thurston and Clark counties.
• Hire regional director to manage regionalized administrative functions, such as HR functions,
contracts, etc.
• No additional charge to the counties.
Community Development Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) fix: Mindy Brooks said Teamsters
inadvertently included the wrong annex in its CBA with Lewis County. She said the negotiated annex
stated that Planners received automatic promotions based on years of service, similar to Permit Techs
and Building Inspectors. She said HR is working with Teamsters to correct the error. She asked that the
commissioners consider making the change rather than wait for Teamsters to sign an MOU with Lewis
County that would fix the mistake.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the automatic promotions for the Planners as
outlined in the attached memo effective March 1, 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion
passed 3-0.
Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) priorities: Commissioner Swope reviewed WSAC’s
priorities for 2026: County revenue, including corrections for the motor vehicle fuel tax distribution;
public defense funding; liability reform; and jail modernization.
Non-gaming land acquisition application: The commissioners discussed a notice from the Department
of the Interior regarding a non-gaming land acquisition application. The commissioners said they will
further discuss the topic May 20, allowing time for Commissioner Swope to reach out to the Chehalis
Tribe and Commissioner Pollock to reach out to the city of Napavine.
Land exchange: The commissioners discussed the May 19 DNR hearing re Alder Creek (Burton Christmas
Tree farm) land exchange.
Minute folder: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the minute folder for the week of
April 13, 2026. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.