2023-11-06 County Manager UpdateCounty Manager Update
November 6, 2023
10:16 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Kirsten Wecker,
John Abplanalp, Meja Handlen, Lee Napier, Becky Butler, Matt Jaeger, Doug Carey
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Kirsten Wecker said the county’s water-testing facility costs roughly $176,000. She said rate increases
are being made to make the water lab budget neutral.
Kirsten said Chehalis and Centralia are the two largest users of the water lab. Commissioner Brummer
asked staff to provide a breakdown of water lab use by Nov. 13.
The group reviewed comparable fees at other counties’ labs and at commercial labs.
Commissioner Pollock said she would reach out to Centralia and Chehalis regarding the possibility of
fees being increased.
The group discussed the fear of having the county price itself out of the program in an effort to make it
budget neutral.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to add a discussion about food and water inspection fees to the
agenda. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 2-0.
The group discussed proposed increases to the food and water safety fees to make the program self-
sustaining instead of subsidizing costs through the General Fund.
Becky reviewed the 2024 budget process, including a decision-making meeting planned for Nov. 8.
Meeting ended at 10:46 a.m.