Commissioner Bobby Jackson, right, talks to fellow commissioners Edna Fund and Gary Stamper during a workshop in August in the commissioners' hearing room.
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners expressed frustration with their luck in the state Legislature during their regular business meeting on Monday morning at the Lewis County Courthouse.
Last Friday, Commissioner Edna Fund participated in a webinar with other county officials from Washington in order to receive an update on the various happenings in the state Legislature during the first month of the new session. She said the news was not encouraging for cash-strapped rural counties such as Lewis County.
“All of our bills regarding unfunded mandates are dead so it’s really not a good session for us,” said Fund. “It was a pretty solemn meeting.”
Fund noted there is an ever-growing list of programs and services mandated by the state and federal government that lack any funding mechanism. She cited the requirement to provide legal counsel at no charge to indigent defendants as a classic example of a well-intentioned program that has put a strain on the county’s finances.
“I’m like an old saw when it comes to that $1.5 million for indigent defense,” said Fund. “We are getting more and more (mandates) everyday.”
Fund noted that a coalition of leaders from Western Washington counties is in the process of drafting a letter that will be sent to the Legislature in order to detail their plea for additional consideration of their funding predicaments.
“The bills that are getting a lot of traction are the bills involving unions,” added Fund.
Another state bill that has caught the eyes of the Board of Lewis County Commissioners is House Bill 2336. That bill would change state law so that counties would only be allowed to prohibit the production, processing or sale of cannabis through an ordinance enacted through a public vote. If passed, that bill would take control of cannabis operations in Lewis County out of the hands of the commissioners. Previously, the commissioners have voted to enact a moratorium on cannabis production, processing and sales in the county. In January 2017, the commissioners voted 2-1 to end that moratorium, while still requiring a federal permit that is impossible to attain. That caveat essentially left the moratorium in place by default.
Commissioner Bobby Jackson noted that last week he attended a meeting with the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team. That group is focused on creating a vibrant economic and social atmosphere in the Mint City. Jackson said the group voiced their appreciation to the commissioners for their help in gaining access to assets from the Distressed County (.09) Fund in order to establish their downtown office.
Jackson also reported that he recently spoke with Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw, who revealed an apparent development on the long stalled Benaroya Industrial Park planned for the area southwest of Exit 63 between Interstate 5 and South Military Road.
“Some exciting new for you guys. Mr. Bradshaw, and the City of Winlock, is going to take the $1.5 million that was given to them and start working on that Benaroya project,” said Jackson. “He said whatever they lack they will start working on right away.”
Jackson said Bradshaw indicated that the first round of work would focus on getting fresh water to the site, which would be followed by sewer line work.
“Don is being very proactive down there,” said Jackson.
Jackson noted that his work as as commissioner will be stilted this week due to a prior commitment to broadcast high school basketball playoff games on the radio.
“I blocked this entire week out specifically for districts,” said Jackson while reviewing the commissioners’ calendar.
During the Monday business meeting, the consent agenda was approved unanimously, as were eight other resolutions that were up for deliberation. Resolution 18-064 appointed Mark Anders, Lee Coumbs, Dennis Dawes, Edna Fund, Buck Hubbert, Peter Lahmann and Dan Mortensen to the Distressed Counties (.09) Fund Advisory Committee, and Resolution 18-0656 appointed two new members, and appointed four members to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Commissioner Gary Stamper noted that the BOCC’s goal is to fill positions on those committees in a staggered manner so that leadership and institutional knowledge doesn’t age out all at once.
Resolution 18-066 set aside funds for continuing the working agreement between Lewis County and West Consultants Inc, which provides maintenance and the operational program for the advanced warning flood system in East Lewis County. Resolution 18-067 appointed Gary Graveline as a regular member to the Veteran’s Advisory Board, while making Andrew Short and Marie Shankle alternate members. Resolution 18-068 approved a professional contract with Reliable Enterprises for the Magnolia Project, while resolutions 18-069 and 18-070 approved contracts with Cascade Mental Health Care and Northwest Pediatric Center, respectively. Lastly, resolution 18-071 approved a contract between the county and Centralia College to provide parenting classes.
During an open session, Fund noted that work to finish cleaning up the former Reynolds Road property of salvage yard operator, and noted hoarder, Vic Bonagofski, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
“Finally, people will be able to drive down Reynolds Road and see a clean property,” said Fund.
In other matters, the BOCC noted that they are in the process of updating their budget as part of a request by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office.
