Neal Bahrt

This document outlines the revised calendar for the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings for January 2026. Official BOCC meetings include weekly Wrap-Up / County Manager Updates, BOCC Business Meetings, and Directors' Updates. Other scheduled events include meetings with the Economic Alliance, the Board of Health (monthly), and the Mayors' Meeting (quarterly). Additionally, the calendar shows sessions for the Finance Committee and the Solid Waste Disposal District #1, both occurring quarterly in January. The calendar also notes specific recurring meetings like an ESC Meeting and an Auditor/Treasurer Update.

The agenda for the meeting includes several key items. A notice item pertains to a hearing for Ordinance 1374, which seeks to update Lewis County Code sections regarding interest earned within Tourism Promotion and Mental Health tax funds. Consent items include the approval of warrants/payroll. Deliberation topics cover the declaration of surplus vehicles and equipment, approval of a preliminary long plat land division within the Centralia Urban Growth Area, and amending the Short-Term Rental Advisory Group bylaws and appointing inaugural members. A public hearing is scheduled for the franchise renewal with Olympic Pipeline Company, LLC. Announcements cover topics such as an SBA conversation, a part-time position for the Southwest Washington Fair, a Public Health and Social Services truck purchase, and follow-up on potential revenue options. The calendar also notes an item to honor Special Olympics athletes during the subsequent business meeting.

The meeting included honoring several student athletes for state championship wins. Notice items involved resolutions for the temporary closure of Ceres Hill Road, and notices of public hearings regarding a Traffic Ordinance and an amendment to Lewis County Code Chapter 2.25 concerning Hearing Examiners. Deliberation items covered rescinding a resolution to increase the petty cash fund for Vader Water Utility, approving a contract with Coastal Community Action Program, ratifying a grant agreement for the Ramp Litter Cleanup Program, approving right of way acquisition for a bridge scour project, adopting 2026 Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund rates, committing matching funds for an AWOS system at the South Lewis County Airport, and approving Indigent Defense contracts. Additionally, Lewis County representatives were designated for the Washington Counties Risk Pool, and an interlocal agreement with Thurston County SORT was approved for technical rescue services. Hearings included franchise renewal for electrical utility facilities and adoption of the Lewis County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan for 2025-2030, as well as the Lewis County 2026 budget appropriations and transfers. The executive session addressed pending litigation for the Assessor's Office, the Onalaska 508 Shop proposal, and Landfill mediation.

This Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan for Lewis County outlines strategies for managing solid and moderate risk waste from 2025 to 2030. The plan prioritizes providing efficient, reliable, and affordable collection, handling, recycling, and disposal services to enhance quality of life, protect human health, and preserve natural resources. Key strategic pillars include promoting waste reduction, encouraging resource recovery and innovative handling methods, increasing public awareness through education, minimizing environmental impacts, and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.

The meeting agenda included a notice for a joint hearing regarding the adoption of the new Lewis County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan, scheduled for a later date. Consent items involved the approval of warrants/payroll. Deliberation items focused on appointments to the Veterans' Advisory Board, approval of a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local #252 for Sheriff's Support Staff, and appointments to the Distressed Counties Fund / Rural Economic Development Public Facilities Advisory Committee. A hearing was scheduled to approve a franchise renewal for Public Utilities District No. 1 of Thurston County concerning water system facilities in county road rights of way.