County approves 14 resolutions, including road work plan, contract amendments and two utility franchises

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 7 approved a series of resolutions covering road projects, administrative finance items, a contract amendment for homeless services and two nonexclusive 10-year utility franchises. All votes recorded during the meeting passed 3-0 unless otherwise noted.

Key approved items

- Resolution 25-001: Adopted the 2025 County Road construction plan to be completed by county forces. Public Works Director Josh Metcalf identified projects including a base-stabilization project on Bunker Creek Road (milepost 0.28–0.82), the countywide chip-seal program and a countywide safety and guardrail project. Total plan amount announced: $1,230,000. Motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as 3-0.

- Resolution 25-002: Approved warrants, payroll and the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting minutes. Auditor Grace Jimenez reported $4,200,124 in regular warrants and direct disbursements (742 regular county warrants) and payroll of $1,242,749 dated Dec. 24. During discussion a commissioner raised concern about two clothing-allowance invoices (invoice numbers 353817 and 354117) for $662.50 tied to a recently promoted detective who, the commissioner said, has a Brady letter and may be subject to decertification. Auditor Jimenez said the expenses fall under the collective bargaining agreement. Commissioners approved the resolution 3-0.

- Resolutions 25-003 through 25-004: Adopted the 2025 equipment rental and revolving fund (ER&R) rates used by Public Works for internal reporting and contracts, and approved a master interlocal agreement allowing Lewis County to provide labor or equipment support to cities (Chehalis, Mossyrock, Napavine, Toledo) on request. Both motions passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-005: Appointed Jerry Villarreal as a voting member of the Veterans Advisory Board and removed George Dodd (now a county employee) plus two inactive members; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-006: Approved an amendment to the agreement between Reliable Enterprises and Lewis County Public Health and Social Services, funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The amendment extends the agreement to June 30, 2025 and adds $86,250 for a total contract value of $311,918, adding case management and administrative services for homeless housing. Motion passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-007: Established a new enterprise fund (Solid Waste Utility Capital Reserve Fund No. 4020) to segregate capital from operating finances for the solid-waste utility; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-008: Authorized a cash-flow loan from the general fund to the Community Development Block Grant fund (No. 1400) to cover timing differences while awaiting grant reimbursements; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-009: Closed the Lewis County Auditor imprest account (a small bank account established in 1995) because the county’s new financial system can cut checks faster; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-010: Increased the District Court petty-cash fund to $1,220 to meet daily cash needs after State Auditor guidance; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-011: Approved a $100,000 financial contribution agreement to Timber River Connections (formerly Lewis County Seniors) for senior nutrition services in calendar year 2025; passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-012: Set the county mileage reimbursement rate to 70 cents per mile effective Jan. 1, matching the IRS rate; passed 3-0.

Public hearings and franchises

- Resolution 25-013: After a staff report by Kimberly Edminster (Public Works), the board held a public hearing and granted a nonexclusive 10-year franchise to Newaukum Hill Water Association (transcript: Newacom/Newakkam Hill Water Association) to construct, operate and maintain water system facilities in county road rights-of-way. The staff report cited the governing franchise statute referenced at the hearing and Lewis County Code sections noted in the staff report. No public testimony was offered at the hearing. The motion to approve passed 3-0.

- Resolution 25-014: The board held a separate hearing and approved a nonexclusive 10-year franchise for Hampton Lumber Mills to construct, operate and maintain stormwater system facilities within Lewis County road rights-of-way; staff recommended approval and no public testimony was offered. Motion passed 3-0.

Votes and next steps

All resolutions presented during the Jan. 7 meeting were moved, seconded and passed with unanimous recorded votes of 3-0 where recorded. Several items had brief staff presentations; only Resolution 25-002 generated substantive commissioner discussion focused on payroll/warrant detail (the clothing-allowance invoices and the promoted deputy’s status). The board did not schedule additional public hearings on these resolutions during the meeting and did not take any roll-call or policy votes beyond the listed approvals.