Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: Oct. 15, 2025

Business Meeting: Oct. 21, 2025

Summary:

Approve .09 Distressed Counties funding to LC Public Works for Middle Fork Water System Plan update

Publications:

Cover Letter To: Todd Chaput, Economic Alliance: todd@lewiscountyalliance.org

Additional Copies To: Anders Pollman and Geoff Soderquist

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wishes to approve funding in the amount of $240,000 to Lewis County Public Works for its “Middle Fork Water System Plan update,” a project that serves future demand and meets the definition of a “public facility” under RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a list of projects maintained by the Lewis County Economic Alliance as per RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, via prior resolutions and this resolution, the BOCC adopts the CEDS as Lewis County's officially adopted county overall economic development plan for the purposes of RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, the Distressed Counties/Rural Economic Development Public Facilities Advisory Committee, the committee created to recommend projects for listing in the CEDS, has recommended the BOCC list the Lewis County Public Works “Middle Fork Water System update” project in the CEDS list and provide grant funding for the project; and

WHEREAS, the Distressed Counties/Rural Economic Development Public Facilities Advisory Committee recommends approving a grant in the amount of $240,000; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County Public Works’s application is supported by the attached grant agreement prepared by Economic Alliance pursuant to the CEDS, and the agreement is incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Lewis County that the funds requested by Lewis County Public Works be authorized in order to allow completion of the “Middle Fork Water System update,” a project that supports economic development in Lewis County.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC (1) approves the “Middle Fork Water System update” project as a public facility for purposes of RCW 82.14.370 and amends the CEDS list to include that project in the county’s overall economic development plan; and (2) authorizes Lewis County to enter into the attached Memorandum of Understanding with Lewis County Public Works for the “Middle Fork Water System update” project in the amount of $240,000 using monies from the “Distressed Counties Fund,” all in accordance with RCW 82.14.370 and applicable law.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 21st day of October, 2025.