[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975696,"mediaKeyId","5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1","parentId",5837747,"title","County posts preliminary 2026 budget, schedules public meeting Nov. 12","audioSeconds",35,"startMs",591000,"endMs",626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1&start=591&end=626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1/thumbnail_591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975696/Lewis-County/Washington/County-posts-preliminary-2026-budget-schedules-public-meeting-Nov-12","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975696-c3283550ee8efbb8a00d4b7f39e41734/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766501&Signature=BXXfrh0Nbh~D~RfVm09RQHTMJRsR3~si626-yuA7vDSG0zp7X4ll~gVfwNblyf2iKWqloKbMOG3zPs2l8gCvDVpFsduA7GwcyySHlOrkhECSUQr2gPojgnWnRYQ2Ha1ZyrC2CcOaLKc8tywqvDJobyuaY9JUbppX9S4nfz2aSdXD-ObZ7W4Cqu7c57c9fUFa2leH5kp3x70EY~bE8akE36~wvdEu7pojRIr6r8zb9oJYDYw54Y7Jy9EQJ0WRRVVtGA1U5KCCMWSxGsCp00nND3Y94MIEbOrwGDJdZ7JYPiFQjffiHPMJEUX2j6sv6fgWy7WCKkVNjJPn-olvGC8C4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lewis County, WA","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Lewis County staff informed the Board on Sept. 23 that the preliminary 2026 budget has been provided to the commissioners and posted online under Resolution 25-271. Becky Butler, who presented the notice, said the Board will hold a public meeting on Nov. 12 in the commissioners\u0000hearing room to review the preliminary budget; the formal hearing to set the final budget and levies will take place the first Monday in December.

Butler described the Nov. 12 meeting as an opportunity for commissioners and the public to attend and ask questions; the item was placed on the record as a notice of availability and scheduling.

Nut graf: The county posted the preliminary budget and opened a public-review window with an informational meeting Nov. 12; the Board will set final budget and levy decisions at a December hearing.

Ending: Staff will publish additional notices for the final hearing and provide materials online for public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The county posted its preliminary 2026 budget online and scheduled a public meeting Nov. 12 to review the preliminary budget; a separate hearing on final budget and levies will be held the first Monday in December.","taxTitle","Lewis County, Washington","taxId",51407,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975702,"Commissioners approve software contract change aimed at avoiding sales tax costs, vendor offers $50,000 in credits",59,678000,737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1&start=678&end=737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1/thumbnail_678000.jpg","/articles/5975702/Lewis-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-software-contract-change-aimed-at-avoiding-sales-tax-costs-vendor-offers-50000-in-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975702-6e9c7b46398b92deb45a84d561740658/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766501&Signature=G~~feXIHGFP~nEGdoM364pNj10qKlHgPwhJbOE9GwPpYnOlniXEZB6mQF15-Q~dONCjwX6sfzmXS5XrYPSd7Sxzjm1UoWOTijIuzHdl0LikgRMjE3BFY6bk8n3kHAjQ5sniygZSACxB7PXQATH95kuNwEaYJ1~Gxf-DjTsgTru8CkjMFYQpLpnPQMhd924QX7BD0IIdpZf0DPIiVN0i1lvidIZu-ne1V8CzgcUg1aJdZ9aSJXuq-CO1Bi8uy6tiXsL0CFARRCHA6XLd9BlhrRvYrVcHLYwZKZOKVoFSYFszHw3kCHRQIlYU0aviulkY4EOXWNW3XlwWk1toUJyKFNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewis County commissioners on Sept. 23 approved Resolution 25-273, authorizing an assessor-treasurer software system update after staff reported potential savings on newly applied state sales tax and vendor concessions.

Treasurer/IT staff summarized the contract issue, saying the county was trying to avoid approximately $73,000 in unbudgeted new state sales tax tied to the software contract. Staff told the commission a vendor had offered concessions worth roughly $50,000—described as approximately 200 hours of project work or equivalent credits—intended to offset implementation costs and provide cushion for post-launch needs.

Commissioners asked whether a discount would be offered for prepayment; staff confirmed the vendor offered the $50,000 in upgrade/project hours as a concession but could not guarantee additional savings beyond that offer. Staff noted the county has some cushion in the contract if additional work is required during implementation.

The motion to approve the resolution passed 3-0.

Nut graf: The Board authorized the software procurement and accepted vendor concessions; staff will proceed with implementation and monitor project needs during deployment.

Ending: Staff did not specify contract dollar amounts in the hearing record; the county will proceed with procurement and report back if additional contract changes are required.","The Board approved Resolution 25-273 to proceed with an assessor-treasurer software update; staff said the county expects to avoid about $73,000 of unbudgeted state sales tax and the vendor offered about $50,000 of implementation hours or credits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975707,"County schedules Oct. 7 hearing on reduced speed limit for Ashland Road near Mossy Rock",73,529000,602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1&start=529&end=602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/5975707/Lewis-County/Washington/County-schedules-Oct-7-hearing-on-reduced-speed-limit-for-Ashland-Road-near-Mossy-Rock","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975707-5fe0889b2856bfd999afc89fa3dbefc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766501&Signature=on7XjB1iqxdPUaFfTnpdNb5lZgCxqQryuABI4ZJyBnWcc80U8AjTkvivxfER2J38xw-mY~6LKQ5FyeFa0t6hzA7D6X19zBvQs-aEqlfty0GPzG9aAfU7YMGL4~~cc1Xp4vYYE8WuvXY1NOqro1tQyv7OlUb1g4pgjRKqO1QCOWJHchDMhqMm27qrGugurdvSpGfLstB-zPrEYEkRS8tCzc~Uo90ttS0LHGj8M8rRJ5D8YUVMSgJaDVg2bkM2~G9HvbH-p75Jmv0n-Gl06VQ688qq1Kl830iRr-pePxa3ZO3nNSqZUelYM7QACGpWFPDOUY9et2PluqcFqI6Hm1HIRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewis County commissioners set a public hearing for Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. to consider Traffic Ordinance 224, which would reduce the maximum posted speed limit to 35 mph on a portion of Ashland Road (County Road 26 to 161) near Mossy Rock.

Jeff Soderquist, Public Works Director, told the commission the change responds to a traffic study requested by the commissioners. The study recommended 35 mph on the segment extending from the intersection of Mossy Rock Road East and Swofford Road to Mossy Rock Park Lane at Rife Lake because of a skewed intersection angle, high seasonal recreational traffic and continuity with adjacent posted limits. “We determined that the recommended speed limit of 35 miles an hour be set for Ashland Road due to the skewed angle of the Ashland Swofford Intersection,” Soderquist said.

The public hearing will be held in the commissioners’ hearing room on the second floor of the historic courthouse in Chehalis; notice was filed under Resolution 25-270. The motion to approve the two notice items, including the speed-limit hearing, passed 3-0.

Nut graf: The county will take public testimony Oct. 7 before deciding whether to adopt the 35-mph limit on the identified Ashland Road segment.

Ending: Residents may attend in person or via the county's livestream; staff recommended submission of comments during the scheduled hearing.","A traffic study recommended lowering the speed limit on a segment of Ashland Road to 35 mph; the Board set a public hearing for 10 a.m. Oct. 7 in the commissioners' hearing room.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975712,"Lewis County approves one-year lease to Salvation Army for night-by-night shelter",63,753000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1&start=753&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1/thumbnail_753000.jpg","/articles/5975712/Lewis-County/Washington/Lewis-County-approves-one-year-lease-to-Salvation-Army-for-night-by-night-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975712-48fef072edecc478897fce3e449ac110/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766501&Signature=Gc8Lfz4Wiwm6K8xlxLMUrHS8vvH6q37PIrv6CWcUmXJ4eGABuqOEe-8VnHJNRP8L7ZRi5D79mo1dKkP83wEr~frCzr2M8Vo7pZmRU-HX~Mbzo2SkZvYCvYBA2MLNQ6l230SOX9ghDY0oscMXffNuga4GxbJlxp2~iT~S7hEx6X6ulfbo0O4fmCEpDmDQrD7awuYWWWgC-6qM1PPGM0UsChdXhxpwEeTES4QKRCV5GauXRaYP1PyLDlbnFnFbEWO9feYDw7UuZ~ZgBf6-ooYBpdztDNi4abTlqP6VaEgGHEsiIdQRYoRdGXmiZN2aX2OiDVx-OF99H2euf7YyykAKBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lewis County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Sept. 23 to approve Resolution 25-274, authorizing a one-year lease of the county\u0000night-by-night shelter to the Salvation Army beginning Oct. 1.

Eric Heisenberg, who presented the resolution on behalf of county staff, said the lease term begins Oct. 1 and lasts one year. He said rent paid under the lease will be deposited in an account dedicated to the shelter for capital and operating reserves “to satisfy our state-funded requirements.”

Commissioners asked when the Salvation Army could move equipment and begin operations. Heisenberg said the organization may move property into the facility prior to occupancy but cannot open the shelter for operation until the county receives final occupancy approval from the City of Chehalis; he added the city\u0000issued the frontage work was likely to be finished this week.

The motion to approve the resolution passed 3-0.

Nut graf: Approval creates a short-term lease pathway for a nonprofit to operate the night-by-night shelter, while county and city permit processes must be completed before the shelter may open to occupants.

Ending: Staff will coordinate with the Salvation Army and the City of Chehalis to complete the occupancy process and ensure rent is deposited to the shelter reserve account as directed in the resolution.","The Board approved Resolution 25-274 to lease the county night-by-night shelter facility to the Salvation Army for one year beginning Oct. 1, with rent directed to a shelter account for capital and operating reserves to meet state funding requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975715,"Lewis County adopts comprehensive-plan update with land-use and short-term rental rules, multiple amendments",4956,860000,5816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1&start=860&end=5816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837747-edd817ecfee28f9b7a8b20464906b4e1/thumbnail_860000.jpg","/articles/5975715/Lewis-County/Washington/Lewis-County-adopts-comprehensive-plan-update-with-land-use-and-short-term-rental-rules-multiple-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975715-ac077bfc74943ec0f92175e64b222e4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766501&Signature=L-F2HhBxjS645s1UamCxWPHdiQvDC26thBewLybEiRrpY1MBQfU0eEoAt7-A2inqT6Sad4X1q5fjGB0mUr~F7ra-Z~B81ggs-bB4Ks7NwMUfM-sjWJhL6QbUAVijB1FKxLhCYbvix75UnLTbegh8Y-o4LDubfFOujUdyVCjFUj~8pKIGAPHVqzce23oeyu6Qm9ZYpCePFci1d4FEulpoDFd98IvZviOubw9o6K~ZcLRH~WunC4L6CjPUfHufyO-EWKk76JUFnu1xRssU~8-OX1~8sjVITDj9wNwbfMKMQKd~RTqM2rlyIVqlVL~eC0hEf~z9M0X3N3EslLxUbd6eFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewis County commissioners voted 3-0 on Sept. 23 to adopt Ordinance 13-67, a periodic update to the county comprehensive plan and companion development regulations, after approving a series of amendments raised during the public hearing and staff presentation. The ordinance includes zoning map changes, updated development regulations and a new short-term rental permit section that county staff will implement with a Jan. 1 effective date.

The changes implement requirements of Washington’s Growth Management Act and update county codes and supporting documents, Planning Director Mindy Brooks told the commission during a staff report. “Every 10 years, Washington counties and cities are required to update our comp plans to address changes in the state law since the last periodic update and changes in growth,” Brooks said during the hearing.

The adoption carried additional, commissioner-approved amendments that alter how the county will regulate uses and design in both rural and two urban growth areas (UGAs). Key approved changes include: turning day-care, early-learning and kindergarten–through–high-school institutional uses into “permitted accessory” uses on agricultural, forest and mineral resource lands (chapter 17.42, table 2); adding an exception to a site-investigative-work exemption so that such work cannot be used to pre-authorize energy production where the use table does not allow it (chapter 17.30.31, exemption 5); correcting a scrivener’s error in the signs chapter (17.142.0.207); limiting new private roads to serve no more than 15 lots unless built and accepted to county road standards; a suite of design changes for the Packwood and Onalaska mixed-use/commercial zones (including lowering required storefront clear glazing from 50% to 30%, removing required covered pedestrian entrances, and removing site-specific roof-line and color palette mandates while retaining fire-resistant material requirements); striking a prohibition on drive-throughs in the mixed-use rules; and moving bicycle parking requirements into master-plan/binding-site-plan standards for large commercial developments while removing an on-site bike-parking requirement in one commercial zone.

Commissioners debated permitting detail and implementation timing for short-term rentals (STRs). Brooks said the county intends to make the STR code effective Jan. 1 to allow staff time to build out permitting processes, fee analysis and interdepartmental review steps. “My recommendation is that you adopt 17.105 to be implemented on January 1, and then we have the next 3 months to work on all of those pieces of it,” Brooks said. Under the adopted language, short-term rental permits will be processed as a Type 1 application and will include annual self-certification; staff will draft the fee schedule and implementation procedures and return them to the commission for approval.

Public comment during the hearing included Packwood resident and short-term rental owner Rob Maricle, who urged caution and asked for economic-impact analysis on proposed STR rules. Maricle told the commission the assessor had continued to tax his home as a short-term rental even after he said operations had ceased. “The assessor is applying his nebulous term of, quote, highest and best use of our property to justify us having to pay $18,000 this year in taxes,” Maricle said. He asked the county to amend section 17.105.0.05 to require the assessor immediately update tax designations when short-term rental operations cease; commissioners approved the broader STR code but left operational details, including fees, to be developed before January implementation.

Other public commenters raised localized issues: Onalaska resident Ron Schutte pressed staff on UGA capacity calculations and how critical areas and publicly owned lands are treated in land-capacity analysis; Bailey Williams, a Winlock child-care operator, asked that the resource-land rules allow outdoor, nature-based childcare as an accessory use to forestry operations—an amendment the commission approved to permit daycare as an accessory use on resource lands.

The county attorney and staff also noted they expect to discover scrivener’s errors during implementation and plan a cleanup amendment in roughly a year. Brooks said some portions of the adopted code will not go into effect until Jan. 1 to allow permit applications, review processes and fee schedules to be created. The board voted 3-0 to adopt Ordinance 13-67 as amended.

Nut graf: The ordinance is the periodic comprehensive-plan update required by state law; the commission adopted it with multiple amendments that downshifted some design mandates, added limited resource-land allowances for educational and child-care uses, set new subdivision/private-road thresholds, and approved a framework for short-term rental permitting to be implemented Jan. 1 with staff-directed development of processes and fees.

Outlook: County staff will prepare and present the short-term rental permit processes and fee schedule to the commissioners before implementation on Jan. 1; staff also expects to return within about a year with a cleanup package for discovered code errors.","The Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance 13-67 adopting a periodic comprehensive-plan update and several targeted amendments to development regulations, including new short-term rental permitting requirements scheduled for Jan. 1 and a set of zoning and design changes for the Packwood and Onalaska UGAs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County posts preliminary 2026 budget, schedules public meeting Nov. 12

Commissioners approve software contract change aimed at avoiding sales tax costs, vendor offers $50,000 in credits

County schedules Oct. 7 hearing on reduced speed limit for Ashland Road near Mossy Rock

Lewis County approves one-year lease to Salvation Army for night-by-night shelter

Lewis County adopts comprehensive-plan update with land-use and short-term rental rules, multiple amendments