The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 2 approved a series of notice, consent and deliberation items and set a public hearing on the fifth budget amendment for Dec. 16.

Becky Butler presented notice language for Resolution 25-343, the fifth budget amendment for 2025, saying the county will publish notice in The Chronicle, accept written comments through Dec. 14 at 10 a.m., and hold the public hearing on Dec. 16. Butler said the notice reflects a revenue increase across funds of $1,346,301, an expenditure increase of $1,620,053, and a change in estimated ending fund balance of $273,752.

The board also set a Dec. 23 public hearing for Resolution 25-344, a renewal application from Cardinal FG Company for a franchise to install, operate and maintain water utility facilities in county rights-of-way. Kimberly Edminster of Public Works said required materials were submitted and that the resolution directs the clerk to complete statutory notifications per RCW 36.55.040.

By unanimous voice votes the commissioners approved the notice items, accepted consent items including warrants and payroll and Nov. 25 meeting minutes, and approved deliberation resolutions (Resolutions 25-346 through 25-351). Those deliberation items included a public defense contract with Joshua House for district court, establishment of a short-term rental advisory group with applications to be routed through the planning commission, a declaration of surplus county vehicles and equipment to be sold at auction, a VPN agreement with Medex for emergency-response access, interlocal agreements that provide VPN access for emergency-response agencies, and a grant up to $250,000 to the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District for an airport design project.

All motions reported in the meeting were carried by voice vote and recorded as passing 3-0.