Lewis County commissioners approve contract awards, update cash-handling policy and set budget hearing; RFQ issued for equestrian center

Lewis County commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, approved a series of routine procurement and administrative items, set a public hearing on the county's fifth 2024 budget amendment and authorized a request for qualifications for engineering and design services for a proposed equestrian center at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

Becky Butler, a Lewis County staff member, told commissioners the notice of the fifth 2024 budget amendment reflects a $163,500 revenue increase, a $173,500 expenditure increase and a $10,000 change in fund balance. "This notice pertains to all funds and reflects a revenue increase of 163,500, an expenditure increase of 173,500, and a change in fund balance of $10,000," Butler said. The county will publish notice in the East County Journal on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 and hold a public hearing on Feb. 11; written comments will be accepted until 10 a.m. on Feb. 9.

The board also approved resolution 25-026, authorizing a request for qualifications for engineering and design services for a proposed equestrian center at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. Butler said the county received funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce for engineering design; proposals must be submitted through the county procurement portal by 5 p.m. on Feb. 24.

On deliberation items the board approved four resolutions (25-028 through 25-031) by unanimous voice votes (3-0).

Josh Metcalf, Lewis County public works director, presented resolution 25-028 on bids for the Barnes Drive and Foster Creek Road repaving project. Metcalf said the county received two responsive bids; the apparent low bidder was Granite Construction of Olympia at $969,798.75. "The public works is prepared to award a contract to Granite Construction at Olympia," Metcalf said. He said the project is scheduled to be built this summer. The board approved awarding the contract to Granite Construction (resolution 25-028), motion passed 3-0.

Kimberly Edminster of Lewis County Public Works presented a petition concerning the vacation of an undeveloped right of way known as Linley Road, located outside of Doty. Approval of resolution 25-029 directs the county engineer to examine the petition and report back to the board. The motion to direct the county engineer passed 3-0.

Graham Gowing, of the Lewis County Auditor's Office, spoke to resolution 25-030, a proposed update to the county's cash-handling policy. Gowing said the policy had last been updated in 2011 and that the proposed revisions incorporate current best practices and state auditor guidance; the Lewis County Finance Committee had reviewed and approved the updates. The board adopted the updated cash-handling policy (resolution 25-030), motion passed 3-0.

Gabe Anzolini of county IT presented resolution 25-031, a fourth-quarter surplus property list that included about 50 computers no longer eligible for Windows updates and some older networking equipment. The board approved the surplus disposition (resolution 25-031), motion passed 3-0.

Separately, the board approved consent items including warrants and payroll and the Jan. 21 business meeting minutes (resolution 25-027), motion passed 3-0.

Earlier in the meeting the board amended the agenda to add an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss federal funding and held that executive session; after returning commissioners said no decisions were made.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-025 (Notice: 2024 fifth budget amendment) — notice approved; public hearing set for Feb. 11; written comments accepted through Feb. 9 — approved 3-0. - Resolution 25-026 (RFQ: equestrian center design) — RFQ authorized; proposals due Feb. 24 — approved 3-0. - Resolution 25-027 (consent: warrants/payroll; minutes) — approved 3-0. - Resolution 25-028 (award: Barnes Drive and Foster Creek Road repaving to Granite Construction, Olympia — bid $969,798.75) — contract award approved 3-0. - Resolution 25-029 (petition: Linley Road vacation; county engineer to examine and report) — direction to engineer approved 3-0. - Resolution 25-030 (cash-handling policy update; last updated 2011; updated to reflect state auditor guidance; reviewed by Finance Committee) — adopted 3-0. - Resolution 25-031 (Q4 surplus: ~50 computers and miscellaneous networking equipment) — approved 3-0.

The meeting record notes written public comment from Kyle Wheeler was added to the record. The board recessed into an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss federal funding and returned without public action. The commissioners adjourned after routine announcements.