2021-08-24 Update with DELTAWRXUpdate with DELTAWRX
August 24, 2021
10:39 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Erik Martin, Chehalis City
Manager Jill Anderson, Becky Butler, Scott Smitherman, Lara McRea, Riverside Fire Assistant Chief Kevin
Anderson, Riverside Fire Commissioner Jay Johnson, Michael Galvin of DELTAWRX, Monica Lynn of
DELTAWRX, Grace Jimenez, Katie Conradi, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Fire District 13 Chief Gregg
Peterson, Fire District 1 Commissioner Carolyn Brock
Guests: Claudia Yaw, Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
County Manager Erik Martin said the county had hired the consulting firm DELTAWRX to look into the
feasibility of partnering with TCOMM to regionalize Lewis County’s 911 services. He noted that
DELTAWRX determined the proposed partnership would be unfeasible. As a result, Erik said, the county
asked DELTAWRX to provide recommendations on how to best move forward.
Monica Lynn of DELTAWRX said her firm found that Lewis County and its partner agencies do not have a
shared vision regarding public safety communications or expectations. She said DELTAWRX found that
there is a perceived decline in service delivery linked to radio infrastructure, insufficient staffing and the
operation model for call-taking and dispatching. Monica noted that Lewis County’s Communications
Center is underfunded and doesn’t have the ability to invest in technology and equipment.
Monica said DELTAWRX recommends the following for Lewis County’s Communications Center:
• Develop a strategic plan.
• Revisit its governance structure and funding model.
• Address operational inefficiencies and staffing shortages.
• Invest in key communications assets.
Commissioner Swope and Commissioner Pollock said they support exploring DELTAWRX’s
recommendations.
Erik noted that county likely would need to use a consultant, possibly DELTAWRX, to implement the
group’s recommendations.
Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson thanked the partners for their efforts on the regionalization study
and noted that Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes supports the recommendations made.
Erik said he would create a presentation that details how the county could implement DELTAWRX’s
proposed changes.
Meeting ended at 11:18 a.m.