2025-09-22 Wrap-Up County Manager
BOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
September 22, 2025
9:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Mindy Brooks, Alex
Murray, David Bailey, Becky Butler, Gabe Anzelini, Matt Patana, Violet Barboza, Eric Eisenberg, Geoff
Soderquist, Graham Gowing, Kirsty Ward, Sarah Hensley, Sherri Dokken, Tom Stanton, Natalie
Kamieniecki, Undersheriff Kevin Engelbertson, Lynn Richard, Grace Jimenez, Caroline Garibay, Liz Hill
Guest(s): Unnamed guest, Emmett O’Connell
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Executive session: At 9:03 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:18 a.m. to discuss six topics:
• Tort claim Taylor
• McPeak litigation
• Benson litigation
• Etienne v. Ferguson
• Orthodox Church v. Ferguson
• Workers’ comp claim
Executive session ended at 9:18 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to direct staff to draft a press release regarding the Benson
litigation as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to direct staff to move forward with the surety bond in
response to the workers’ comp claim as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Swope
seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Business Meeting agenda: Commissioner Pollock made motion, and Commissioner Swope seconded, to
add to the Sept. 23, 2025, BOCC Business Meeting minutes from the Sept. 16, 2025, Business Meeting as
well as the following:
• Resolution 25-270: Notice of Public Hearing for a Traffic Ordinance fixing the maximum speed at
which vehicles may be operated over certain roads in Lewis County, Washington: defining
offenses, and providing penalties for the violation thereof.
• Resolution 25-271: Lewis County preliminary budget for 2026, and notice of public meeting
thereon.
• Resolution 25-272: Approval of warrants / payroll.
• Resolution 25-273: Approve prepayment of Tyler ongoing contract due to newly implemented
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expands the scope of the retail sales tax for
payments made after October 1, 2025. The commissioners directed staff to:
o Update the resolution to include the full balance of the contract.
o Reach out to Tyler to ensure Tyler allows prepayment.
o Ask Tyler for additional savings for prepayment.
o Ensure the contract includes assurances for any non-deliverables.
• Resolution 25-274: Approve lease of 2015 NE Kresky Ave to The Salvation Army to operate a
night-by-night homeless shelter and setting terms for the maintenance of rent paid thereunder.
• Ordinance 1367: Adopt Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Lewis County Comprehensive Plan Periodic
Update.
Motion passed 3-0.
Promissory notes: Becky Butler said the county is looking into revamping the use of promissory notes
for indigent defense as allowed under RCW 10.101.020. The commissioners directed staff to reinstate
the use of promissory notes.
Fair and Garlic Fest: Fionna Velazquez recapped the success of the SW Washington Fair and Washington
State Garlic Fest.
Animal shelter options: Meja Handlen provided options regarding the future of the animal shelter,
including transferring oversight to the Sheriff’s Office, a nonprofit or a for-profit entity. The
commissioners directed staff to develop an RFP to outsource oversight for services.
Water lab modernization update: Meja Handlen
Minute folders: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve minutes from the week of Aug. 25,
2025. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Correspondence: The commissioners discussed correspondence regarding striping Tillicum. Geoff
Soderquist discussed the county policies under which the area falls as well as the liabilities associated
with deviating from county policy.
Meeting adjourned at 10:13 a.m.