Lewis County commissioners approve multiple routine resolutions, award bridge and asphalt contracts, and renew WillTel franchise

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a batch of routine resolutions and several contract awards, including a bridge retrofit and a countywide liquid-asphalt purchase, and renewed a telecommunications franchise.

Kimberly Edminster of Public Works told commissioners the board would consider resolution 26-013 to "approve the renewal of a franchise agreement with WillTel Communications LLC to install, construct, operate, and maintain telecommunication facilities within Lewis County road rights of way." After a brief question-and-answer period and no public testimony, the board voted to approve the franchise renewal; the chair announced, "Motion carries 3 0." (The staff report said required notices were published and posted as required.)

Public Works reported competitive procurement outcomes for road and bridge work. County engineer West Anderson said the Series Hill bridge retrofit (milepost 0.79) received six responsive bids; "after reviewing the bids, we have found that Stellar J Corporation is the lowest responsive bidder," and Public Works recommended awarding the contract for $1,394,103. Anderson also reported the low responsive bidder for liquid asphalt was Blue Line Transportation, which Public Works recommended for a $1,484,476.95 purchase to support the upcoming chip seal season.

Caroline Garibay, public health and social services, described resolution 26-006: a contract between Lewis County and the Veterans Memorial Museum for $81,120 to support a veteran service officer who will provide services to veterans and eligible family members, with priority given to indigent veterans. Commissioners confirmed the VSO would continue in the current role; the contract term in the staff report was corrected during the meeting to run through Dec. 31, 2026.

The board also approved an appointment to the county's weed board. A presenter said resolution 26-005 would appoint Arthur Smith to serve on the Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board; the presenter said Smith was unanimously recommended by the weed board and has background in plant science and work with local conservation districts.

Other administrative actions approved included setting the county's 2026 mileage reimbursement rate at 72.5¢ per mile (resolution 26-012), and a change to insurance premium contributions for nonrepresented employees and most elected officials effective Jan. 1, 2026, reflecting the county’s change from PEP to Aetna (resolution 26-010). The board also voted to reject all bids for the county's 2026 traffic-paint solicitation and to purchase paint through the state contract instead.

Most of these items were handled as a group. Commissioners moved and seconded approval of notice items and a set of deliberation resolutions; voice votes were recorded as "Aye" by three commissioners and each motion was reported as carrying "3 0." The meeting closed with announcements about a TransAlta Commons draft EIS presentation that evening and a reminder that the historic courthouse would be closed Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Votes at a glance

- Resolutions 26-001 through 26-003 (notice items/RFQs): approved, vote recorded as 3-0. - Minutes and resolution labeled in transcript as '206-004' and Dec. 23, 2025 minutes: approved, 3-0. - Resolutions 26-005 through 26-012 (deliberation items including appointment, contracts, benefits, mileage): approved, 3-0. - Resolution 26-013 (franchise renewal with WillTel Communications LLC): approved, 3-0.

What happened next

The board adjourned after brief calendar announcements. Commissioners highlighted a public presentation that evening on a TransAlta Commons draft environmental impact statement and related flood-control proposals.