2020-08-10 BOCC Wrap-up COVID-19BOCC Wrap-Up / COVID-19
August 10, 2020
9:03 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Cullen Gatten, Steve Walton, Tawni Shepherd, Tammy Martin, Frank Corbin, Lee
Napier, Alison Puckett, Lara McRea
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioner Fund made a motion to add to the day’s Business Meeting Resolution 20-271 to approve
a memorandum of understanding between Lewis County and the Lewis County Economic Development
Council to provide grant awards to nonprofits serving Lewis County using the CARES Act Coronavirus
Relief Funds.
Commissioner Jackson seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Cullen Gatten said the Salary Commission has submitted a report setting the salaries of the county
commissioners and recommending salaries for the remaining elected officials. Cullen noted that, per
RCW, the Salary Commission’s change to the county commissioners’ salaries takes effect immediately
and that the commissioners do not have a set timeline by which they must determine the remaining
salaries.
Cullen said the Salary Commission set increases at 10 percent across the board. Cullen noted that the
Salary Commission followed the Open Public Meetings Act.
Cullen said he recommended to the Salary Commission that the group postpone its decision. However,
he said, the group did not postpone its decision.
The commissioners discussed ways in which they can donate back their salary increases.
Cullen suggested the commissioners reach out to Eric Eisenberg regarding their options, noting that
even if the commissioners donate their increases, they will still pay taxes on the increased amount.
Becky said the impact to the budget will be roughly $12,000 for the commissioners. She said a 10
percent increase across the board for all elected officials would have a budget impact of roughly
$90,000 in 2021.
Erik Martin said he and Jonathan Meyer have discussed the Prosecuting Attorney’s salary position and
will meet with the commissioners Aug. 18 to further discuss the matter.
Tawni Shepherd said a deputy had T-boned a car, resulting in medical, pain and suffering claims totaling
more than $40,000.
Becky Butler discussed using Coronavirus Relief Funding for nonprofits’ operations.
Becky discussed an executive order regarding federal payroll taxes. Becky said the county will have to
decide whether to set those taxes aside to pay those federal monies.
The group discussed the commissioners’ calendars.
Becky said the Budget call letter for 2021 will go out later in the day.
Meeting ended at 9:41 a.m.