Votes at a glance: Lewis County approves budget amendment notice, calls for bids, accepts courthouse grant

Lewis County’s Board of Commissioners approved a set of notices and consent items, accepted a courthouse restoration grant and adopted an ordinance at its June 9, 2026 meeting, with all recorded votes showing unanimous support.

On the notice agenda Commissioner Becky Butler presented Resolution 26-176, the notice of public hearing for the county’s third budget amendment of 2026. Butler said the amendment shows a revenue increase of $2,597,712 and an expenditure increase of $3,247,970, producing an estimated net change in fund balance of $650,258. The general fund portion of the amendment includes a $316,383 increase in expenditures, of which $310,000 was described as public defense costs that were mandated. The public hearing on the budget amendment is scheduled for June 23, and written comments will be accepted through June 21 at the address and email provided in the notice.

Also on the notice agenda, Matt Petana described Resolution 26-177, a call for bids for the Friendlyville improvements project. The work described in the notice includes regrading the terrain, installing ADA-compliant pathways, and restructuring the fair gates to improve flow in the Friendlyville area. Bidders must submit proposals electronically through OpenGov by 2:00 p.m. on June 30, 2026.

On the consent and deliberation agenda the board approved Resolution 26-178 and accepted the June 2, 2026 meeting minutes. The board also approved Resolution 26-179 to accept a grant for the restoration and preservation of the historic Lewis County Courthouse. County staff said they expect to prepare a bid package for work on the building’s south side this summer and will proceed with an interior fire-alarm system acquisition once vendors are selected. No dollar amount for the courthouse grant was specified during the staff presentation.

Before the formal business, Andy Skinner of Reliable Enterprises used the public comment period to invite commissioners to a ribbon-cutting for Building C of the Reliable Homes II complex, a seven-unit project intended to house families with children; Skinner said the project was supported by a second Department of Commerce grant and that placement is coordinated with the local school district and Coordinated Entry. The ribbon-cutting was set for June 17 at 12:00 p.m. at 2213 Harrison Avenue in Centrellia. Skinner said staff hoped to move families in by July 1.

All motions recorded during the meeting were approved by unanimous vote (3-0). The board also noted that county offices will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026, in recognition of Juneteenth, and then adjourned.