Health and Human Services: $20,259 for small water systems and $187,895 for solid‑waste complaint work approved

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services presented two contract items that commissioners approved during the meeting.

Gina James, Health and Human Services director, said the county will receive $20,259 from the Washington State Department of Health for the new fiscal year to support work with Group B water systems — small systems of three to 14 connections, often shared wells among neighboring properties. James said there are about 100 Group B systems in the county and the funding supports testing and application assistance.

James also presented a two‑year contract with the Washington State Department of Ecology providing up to $187,895 to support county responses to solid‑waste complaints. She said the work covers typical nuisance and vector risks arising from garbage accumulations as well as some liquid‑waste complaints; the Ecology funding reimburses county response work. James and commissioners discussed that illegal dumping investigations can be difficult because identifying the dumper is often not possible and responses typically require coordinating with property owners.

Commissioners asked about staff capacity and how many complaints staff handle; James said the health unit has four field staff who respond to complaints and that she would provide a clearer estimate of the staff time and complaint counts. Both contract items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.