2020-01-07 Budget UpdateBudget Update
January 7, 2020
3:11 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Jackson, Steve Wohld, Becky Butler, Daleyn Coleman,
Eric Eisenberg
Guest: Frank Corbin
Recorder: Rieva Lester
The group discussed holding a quorum meeting with Jim Kropf, Gary Fredricks and Eric Eisenberg
regarding the county’s 2020 contract with WSU.
Becky Butler said the Lewis County Seniors group does not want to meet the conditions the county has
proposed regarding a possible financial contribution. She said the county wanted to include language in
its contract that would indicate the county can review the group’s financial records, similar to the
requirements the county includes in contracts for Distressed Counties and Lodging Tax funding.
Eric Eisenberg noted that the county is under no obligation to provide funding and that it could merely
deny funding if the group does not want to allow the county access to its financial information.
Commissioner Stamper said he would schedule a meeting with Ron Averill and Nicole at the Lewis-
Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) to discuss the Senior Nutrition program.
Eric left at 3:27 p.m.
Becky discussed a proposed salary grid.
The group discussed the process by which unions and non-reps should negotiate salary and benefit
changes.
Commissioner Stamper said he wants to see comparable figures for similar counties’ attorney costs.
Becky said she should know in the next week whether another budget hearing will be needed for year-
end. She provided updates on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Secure Rural Schools and DNR timber
revenues.
Commissioner Stamper said he’d like to have a follow-up conversation regarding Tacoma Power.
Becky noted that PERS is expected to drop in 2021.
Becky discussed the 2020 budget process. Frank Corbin said some improvements the county could make
to the Citizens Budget Committee process include:
• Formalize the group
• List goals
• Identify deliverables
• Provide line items the members should review
• Encourage more citizens to attend, even if they don’t join the committee
Meeting ended at 3:57 p.m.