Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: COMM - 911

Directors' Update: May 7, 2025

Business Meeting: May 13, 2025

Summary:

Approve an Interlocal Agreement between Lewis County public safety parties for the operation, maintenance and participation in Lewis County 911

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, current public safety communications systems, including public safety answering point (PSAP) facilities and radio system infrastructure, require updating and new technologies to meet future demands; and

WHEREAS, the residents of Lewis County would benefit both in terms of efficiency and economy from a communications system consolidated into a joint undertaking for the purpose of providing public safety communication services to Lewis County and the cities and fire protection jurisdictions within Lewis County; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 39.34 RCW, the Interlocal Cooperation Act, authorizes the Parties to enter into an interlocal agreement for the joint provision of communication services; and

WHEREAS, a new Emergency Communications joint undertaking to be referred to as Lewis County 911 will provide consolidated communications services currently performed by Lewis County 911 Communications; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent that, where appropriate, Lewis County 911, as governed by a joint board made up of the participating law and fire agencies within the county, will be the successor and assign to existing Lewis County 911 Communications obligations and agreements; and

WHEREAS, other governmental entities considering participation in the interlocal agreement include the cities of Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine, Winlock, Vader, Toledo, Mossyrock and Morton; the Town of Pe Ell; Lewis County Fire Districts 1 (Onalaska), 2 (Toledo), 3 (Mossyrock), 4 (Morton), 5 (Napavine), 6 (Chehalis), 8 (Salkum), 9 (Mineral), 10 (Packwood), 11 (Pe Ell), 13 (Curtis), 14 (Randle), 15 (Winlock), 16 (Doty), 17 (Ashford) and 18 (Glenoma); Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20; and Riverside Fire Authority; and

WHEREAS, this agreement was previously approved via Resolution 24-434 but further changes were requested by Parties. This ILA will supersede the previously approved agreement.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Lewis County hereby agrees to enter into an interlocal agreement to create the Lewis County 911 joint board to govern a new Emergency Communications joint undertaking, which will be referred to as Lewis County 911 and which will provide consolidated emergency communications services; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Lewis County shall act as the Administering Agency for Lewis County 911 and serve as the fiscal agent; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED upon approval and signing by all Parties, this agreement will be fully executed; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hereby approves the terms and conditions of the attached Interlocal Agreement and hereby authorizes the Chair of the BOCC to sign the same on behalf of the County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 13th day of May, 2025.