Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: April 15, 2026

Business Meeting: April 21, 2026

Summary:

Appoint members

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, as allowed per RCW 72.09.300, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners established a Law and Justice Council via Ordinance 1200 (June 16, 2008) and updated it via Ordinances 1282 (November 13, 2017) and 1335 (August 2, 2022); and

WHEREAS, after years of inactivity by the council, the BOCC opted to reconvene the group in 2026 and task its membership with the following: review the local criminal justice system's needs; and examine the pros and cons of proposing a public safety tax as a revenue option; and

WHEREAS, as outlined in Lewis County Code 9.20.040, "notwithstanding other provisions of this code, terms of citizen representatives, social service treatment providers and other officials shall be four years. Members may be reappointed. Members may be removed by the appointing authority. Except in the case of removal, each member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed"; and

WHEREAS, as it appears there have been no appointments or reappointments to the council since 2010, the BOCC feels it is in the public's best interest to appoint individuals to all 24 seats; and

WHEREAS, as required per County Code, the BOCC requested the following groups to select specific representatives:

• Lewis County police chiefs
  • Two representatives, including one from Chehalis or Centralia
• Lewis County Bar Association
  • Two public defense attorneys, including one who is on contract with Lewis County and one who is not
• Lewis County cities / mayors
  • One municipal prosecuting attorney from within Lewis County
  • One individual to represent the county's municipal courts
  • Two city / town representatives, including one who represents either the Chehalis or Centralia City Council

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the BOCC hereby appoints the individuals listed in Exhibit A (attached hereto) - or their designees - to the Lewis County Law and Justice Council for terms ending Dec. 31, 2030.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 21st day of April, 2026.