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

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Sept. 23 to approve Resolution 25-274, authorizing a one-year lease of the countynight-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 cityissued 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.