The Lewis County Board voted on a package of claims, contracts and appointments and approved a late resolution expressing support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act during its regular meeting.

The Finance & Rules Committee recommended auditing and allowing claims totaling $1,968,022.31 (Resolution 240). The motion passed on a roll-call vote after one legislator recused himself, saying "there were payments made to myself and upon based upon vouchers I approved." The roll call recorded the following affirmative votes: Legislator Frost; Legislator Norts; Legislator Leyendecker; Legislator Kalmus; Legislator Landinger; Legislator Morehan; Legislator Nellenback; and Legislator Dalhoff. Legislator Osborne was excused. The recusal was noted in the record.

Resolution 252 authorized a renewal agreement between the Office for the Aging and Double Play Community Center to continue a congregate meal site. A legislator asked whether the price was the same as the 2024 agreement; county staff member Carla said, "It has increased, I believe 33%," and described a $10,000 freezer upgrade split with the caterer and higher utility and insurance costs as drivers of the increase. The board carried the resolution.

The board also approved Resolution 254 to authorize outside-agency contracts for fiscal year 2026. One legislator criticized the county's heavy representation on an outside board (noting the county held five seats) and suggested reducing the county's appointees to one or two to allow the agency greater independence; the board voted to carry the resolution.

Resolution 261 updated appointments to the Lewis County Rail Trail Advisory Committee and subcommittees. The chair explained several staff changes prompted the updates; one legislator asked for more local landowner representation. County staff said Alta, the contracted consultant, will conduct direct outreach to adjacent landowners and host public meetings and that committee composition can be modified as the planning process proceeds; the motion carried.

Resolution 268 authorized a fund transfer regarding solid waste and was passed. A late resolution, 274, expressed the county's support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act; county staff noted the county had supported a similar resolution two years ago but the senate had not passed it then, and that the senate has now passed the measure and the House is expected to pass it shortly.

Before adjourning to an executive session on labor negotiations, the board handled the consent packet, pulled several items for individual consideration, and carried each pulled resolution after discussion.