Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: CM - County Manager (including Budget)

Directors' Update: Aug. 17, 2022

Business Meeting: Aug. 23, 2022

Summary:

Entering into a personal services agreement with AMP Insights for preliminary consulting services related to a water bank.  This agreement entails initial work with county staff, consideration of potential water bank models, and selection of a promising water right or sets of water rights to target in a potential water banking pilot grant application.

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Becky Butler; Grace Jimenez

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners has allocated ARPA funds for, among other things, necessary water and sewer infrastructure improvements; and

WHEREAS, a water bank is a form of water supply infrastructure to support future residential, commercial, industrial, and/or agricultural uses as water supplies tighten due to growth over time; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County desires to explore the possibility of a water banking pilot grant from the Department Ecology, which can cover the cost of acquiring and vetting currently unused water rights for deposit into the bank; and

WHEREAS, identifying the type of bank and a suitable set of water rights for such an application requires technical expertise beyond that of county staff; and

WHEREAS, after an informal competitive process as required by 2 CFR § 200.320, AMP Insights' proposal for consulting services was most advantageous; and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the proposed contract and finds it in the public interest.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the attached Agreement with AMP Insights for preliminary consulting services concerning a water bank is approved, and Eric Eisenberg is authorized to sign on behalf of the County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 23rd day of August, 2022.