Centralia joins multi‑jurisdiction governance for Lewis County 911; council approves interlocal agreement

The Centralia City Council voted 6‑0 (one recusal) on Tuesday to approve an interlocal agreement that creates a joint governance structure for Lewis County 911 and formalizes how 25 jurisdictions will participate in the center's governance and budget decisions.

City staff and Chief Andy Caldwell told the council the agreement was the result of a multi‑year effort to provide a stable governance and funding approach for dispatch services. Chief Caldwell and staff said the new structure creates a seven‑member executive board, requires a two‑thirds majority for budget approval, and includes protections to prevent any single user group from imposing disproportionate costs on Centralia taxpayers.

Deputy Mayor Brewer announced on the record that she would recuse because she is employed by Lewis County and provides IT services to the 911 center. Elizabeth Cameron, who identified herself as president of Citizens for Lewis County 911, praised the move and noted the ballot measure that created the tax used the state statute RCW 82.14.420; she said that statute restricts the use of the proceeds to emergency communications systems and facilities.

City staff said the two‑tenths‑of‑one‑percent sales tax passed by county voters in November is expected to cover the center's operating costs in coming years, though staff cautioned that annual 911 costs have risen and that long‑term sustainability may still require user fees or future revenue adjustments. The council approved the interlocal agreement by voice vote (motion passed 6‑0 with Brewer recused).