As Lewis County rebounds from an unprecedented year and continues to receive federal COVID-19 funding, officials are looking for up to six residents to serve on a citizens committee and help guide the county’s 2022 budget.
One or two volunteers from each of the county’s three districts will be selected to serve on the Citizens Budget Committee, which will participate in October and November meetings.
The annual process is made unique this year as the county continues to receive its $15.6 million allotment of American Rescue Plan funding, which has tentatively been parsed out for public health, government services, water and sewer infrastructure, broadband and COVID-19 economic impact. Officials recently voted to extend Lewis County’s local state of emergency in order to continue utilizing emergency funds.
The budget cycle will also unfold in the midst of other countywide changes, like the winding down of public health officials’ response to COVID-19, the energized push to expand broadband — which could now more directly involve the public sector — as well as new law enforcement requirements created this year by the Legislature.
Each budget cycle gives county departments the opportunity to vie for increased funding.
Last year, Lewis County’s budget included a $296,000 increase for superior court for indigent defense, family law and guardianship cases, and $122,000 for district court indigent defense attorneys. The county’s emergency management department was also bumped up $100,000 after its deputy director reported not being able to meet some state standards. After a pandemic-induced revenue dip, the county jail’s budget was also increased by $23,000.
Although budget requests have not been formally made yet, the county’s coroner, Warren McLeod, is among those likely to request a department increase this fall. Last year, McLeod’s request of $357,613 to more appropriately compensate employees wasn’t fully funded. And recently, McLeod has repeated his argument that deputy coroners aren’t being fairly compensated.
To apply to be on the Citizens Budget Committee, obtain an application form here: tinyurl.com/a5fywr2y.
Email completed forms and a letter of interest to committees@lewiscountywa.gov with the subject line “budget.” Individuals can also submit materials by mail or in-person to 351 NW North St., Chehalis.
The deadline is Friday, July 30 at 3 p.m.
