Public Works Board reallocates emergency funds, approves emergency repairs in Raymond and Grays Harbor

At its April 3 meeting the Public Works Board approved staff recommendations to reallocate FY26 emergency funds and to award emergency repair funds to two jurisdictions.

The board voted to move $2,500,000 from the FY26 emergency bucket into FY26 preconstruction, making the preconstruction total $10,000,000 while maintaining a $4,000,000 emergency balance for the remainder of the fiscal year. Member Gary Rowe moved the reallocation and Member Jerome Delvin (Dean Reynolds seconded on the floor); the motion passed by voice vote.

The board then approved a staff‑recommended $300,000 emergency award to the City of Raymond after staff described a failed sewer transmission main discovered on Feb. 2 that threatened sewage discharge into the Willapa River. Allison Mitchell said the award would be split as a $150,000 loan (reduced interest rate) and a $150,000 grant; Member Clary moved to approve and the board voted in favor.

Separately, the board approved a $910,000 emergency award to Grays Harbor County to repair erosion that collapsed Bridal Satsop Road. Staff recommended funding the request with 50% loan and 50% grant; staff clarified the request arrived late and was reviewed as an emergency. Member Rowe moved the action and Member Stevie seconded; the motion passed.

Votes were voice approvals in each case; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript. Staff noted the emergency awards will leave contingencies in the emergency account and that the board will continue to track any additional emergent needs.

Why it matters: The awards respond to immediate public‑safety and infrastructure failures and shift limited emergency dollars into preconstruction to help more small projects advance to construction eligibility.