2025-06-03 Public Works update Public Works Update
June 3, 2025
11:05 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Grace Jimenez, Graham Gowing, Geoff Soderquist, Tina Correia, Becky Butler
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Public comment: None
Geoff Soderquist said current road projects include Barnes Drive, Bunker Creek Road, Centralia Alpha
Road, Van Ornum Creek, Labree Road, King Road scour, and Sargent Road scour.
Geoff said the Vader water main replacement is in progress but there are issues with construction. The
Toledo beacon project has started, and the fuel system is complete. Geoff said there is work starting at
the Packwood airport.
Geoff said the Packwood sewer project is approximately $255,000 in the negative. There was an ARPA
grant with the Department of Commerce that was not reauthorized, and work was still being performed
on the project. Geoff said there was additional research needed for more grant funding. Becky Butler
said the general fund, REET, or .09 could be a solution to the funding shortage. Becky stated that .09
Distressed Counties funding is the most likely solution, but if other funding sources become available,
they would be used first. Becky said any agreement would have to be postdated to pay for the funds
currently spent.
Geoff’s concern about operating the water/sewer systems is having knowledgeable people to
responsibly operate the systems. Geoff would like to have the water system plan in compliance. Then to
work on having all the interlocal agreements in place and rate studies done.
Grace said the Middlefork Water system is in the red as well. Tina Correia said there are options that can
be considered to include placing liens on the parcels or collection agency efforts applied to the parcels
that are overdue.
Tina said the flood control has a timing issue for reimbursement by the cities. Grace said a general fund
transfer can be completed earlier in the year to eliminate any negative balances.
Meeting adjourned at 11:58 a.m.