Lewis County Board of Commissioners seeks volunteers for boards
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) is looking to fill vacancies on four of its volunteer boards:
-Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
-Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
-Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors
-Lewis County Water Conservancy Board
Application packets for all four are available under the "BOCC News" tab at the bottom right-hand side of the commissioners' web page at https://tinyurl.com/mtzz3hnj.
Applications for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Public Facilities District are due by 3 p.m. Thursday, June 25, according to a news release from the BOCC. To apply, submit an application and a letter of interest in one of the following three ways:
-By mail at 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532.
-Via email at committees@lewiscountywa.gov (include the committee name in the subject line).
-In person at the Commissioners' Office in Room 210 of the Historic Courthouse at 351 N.W. North St. in Chehalis.
The Water Conservancy Board uses a different approach. For that board, applications must be submitted by mail and are due by 5 p.m. July 2.
Following are details about the various boards and committees:
-Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
The lodging tax, also referred to as the hotel-motel tax, is a consumer tax on lodging for hotels, motels, rooming houses, private campgrounds, RV parks and similar facilities. Lewis County receives lodging taxes collected in the unincorporated parts of the county and then distributes the money among Lewis County entities that support tourism. LTAC volunteers advise the commissioners on how to best allocate those funds.
The committee generally meets a handful of times during the year, including one all-day meeting in the fall during which members review allocation proposals. Its current vacancy is for a "user" position, someone who represents an entity that would be eligible to receive lodging tax grant funding, such as visitors' centers, destination marketing groups and nonprofits, including lodging associations and chambers of commerce.
For questions, contact Rudy Rodriguez at 360-740-1233 or Rieva Lester at 360-740-1419.
-Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) helps develop programs and policies concerning solid waste handling and disposal.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee members weigh in on proposed rules, policies and ordinances, and they help Lewis County Solid Waste Utility staff develop a five-year "Solid Waste Management Plan" to guide how Lewis County manages garbage and recycling. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of every other month in the new Lewis County Public Works Building at 57 W. Main St. in Chehalis. Meetings are open to the public and are offered online via Zoom.
For questions, contact Solid Waste Services Manager Rocky Lyon by phone at 360-740-1403 or via email at rocky.lyon@lewiscountywa.gov.
-Lewis County Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors
The Lewis County Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors, which formed in August 2007, helped create the Lewis County Event Center and Sports Complex in Centralia. The group, which includes five voting members and one non-voting member, meets at the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia at 11 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are available in person and via Zoom.
For questions, contact PFD Chair Ron Averill at 360-269-2193 or Lewis County Treasurer Arny Davis at 360-740-1110.
-Lewis County Water Conservancy Board
The Lewis County Water Conservancy Board processes water-rights applications at the local level. The Water Conservancy Board works closely with water-rights applicants and the Department of Ecology to make recommendations regarding applications for water-rights changes and transfers. Each new board member must attend Ecology's four-day (32 hours) training event in the fall and then receive eight hours of continuing education annually.
The board is made up of three regular members and two alternates. At least one of the regular positions must be filled by a water right holder who diverts or withdraws water for use within Lewis County. The current vacancy is for one of the alternate positions.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit an application, a letter of interest and a brief resume by mail to the following Lewis County Water Conservancy Board; Attn. New Board Member; P.O. Box 1345; Chehalis, WA 98532.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, to be considered. Water Conservancy Board members cannot be affiliated with any municipal organizations.
For general information about the board, visit the Department of Ecology's website at https://tinyurl.com/mpnjexah.
For questions, contact board member David Hilligoss by phone at 360-880-7016.
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