Plain-English weekly recaps written from official meeting records. 2 weeks available.
Week of 2026-08-24
Asotin County Board approves bridge agreement, grants, and $915,988 in claims
The Asotin County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 10 approved a range of items, including a bridge replacement agreement, multiple grant applications, a right-of-way easement, and claims and payroll totaling $915,988.34. The board also filled two positions and approved a letter to the governor.
Grants and easement
The board approved an application for a Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Traffic Grant of $1,000 for scanners, and two COPS Microgrant applications: one for recruitment (up to $200,000) and one for a Drone as a First Responder Pilot. It also approved an Electric Line Right-of-Way Easement for Enel Green Power North America.
Bridge project and other actions
Commissioners approved a WSDOT Prospectus and Agreement Supplement for the Ten Mile Creek No. 2 Bridge Replacement. They also approved backfilling a Landfill Computer Operator/Facility Technician position, filling the Community Services Director position, and a joint letter to the Governor regarding the WDFW Commission. The board approved continuing legal services with Floyd | Pflueger and held executive sessions.
Other recent meetings
On Aug. 17, the board held a public hearing on an ordinance replacing #09-04 to adopt new Public Defense Standards; comments were due Aug. 21. The agenda also included a resolution awarding an architectural/engineering services contract to Great West Engineering, Inc. for solid waste services at the Asotin County Regional Landfill, a request to fill an Office Assistant-Archive Specialist position, and the purchase of a Norstar NSC-RS6000-H-1300 Chemical Injection Sprayer Retrofit. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.
On Aug. 19, the Jail and Finance Committee met to approve minutes from July 16, receive a jail update from Captain/Commander Nate Uhlorn, and a financial update from COO Chris Kemp, including book and release rates. The committee also discussed the 2027 budget. No decisions were reported.
Coming up
Today, Aug. 24, the Board of Commissioners will take action on a conditional use permit for Dimke Properties, LLC at 1651 Dustan Loop, adopt an ordinance setting new public defense standards, and approve a letter to the Lewiston City Council regarding an EMS contract extension. The board will also discuss a HAWK crossing on SR-129 with WSDOT and hold a work session on lodging tax grants. Applications for lodging tax grants open Sept. 1 and close Sept. 30.
Week of 2026-07-20
Asotin County adopts solid waste plan, burn ban; EMS levy hearing set for Monday
Asotin County's Board of Commissioners adopted a six-year solid waste management plan and enacted an emergency open-burning ban for unincorporated areas at its July 6 meeting, while also approving several staffing and funding changes. The board's next meeting, on July 20, includes a public hearing on a property tax levy for Rural Emergency Medical Service District 2.
Solid waste, burn ban, and technology upgrades
The board adopted the 2025–2030 Asotin County Solid Waste Management Plan, which sets countywide policy for waste handling through 2030. On the same day, commissioners enacted an emergency ordinance suspending fires and open burning in unincorporated areas of the county.
The board also approved a service agreement with 11:11 Systems for cloud server migration and authorized the purchase of Matrix Networks Poly Desk Phones for a new phone system. All motions at the July 6 meeting were carried without recorded vote counts, according to the official minutes.
Staffing and human services actions
Commissioners approved the re-hire of Janice for 20 hours in July for office assistant training, renewed and increased funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities under Program Agreement DDCS #2663-71268, and upgraded the Victim Advocate position to full-time.
Bridge, land use, and contracts on July 13 agenda
The board's July 13 meeting was scheduled to address Resolution 26-24 for the Fishers Gulch Bridge Scour Mitigation road project (CRP No. 273) and Conditional Use Permit 26-14 for David Rustebakke at 2935 25th Street. Also on the agenda were Contract #47PL0222D0002 Mod PS0015, which incorporates a DEI clause under EO 14398; Interagency Agreement #AOC3382 for the Casa/Volunteer GAL Program; and Correction Deed 2 vacating county right-of-way. The meeting included two executive sessions on personnel and potential litigation. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.
Jail and Finance Committee
The Jail and Finance Committee met July 16 to review minutes from its February 18, 2026 meeting and hear a financial update from COO Chris Kemp. The agenda listed discussion of current jail bed rates and booking fees, followed by open discussion. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
Board of Commissioners — Monday, July 20: A public hearing on the continuation of a property tax levy for Rural Emergency Medical Service District 2 (REMS#2) heads the agenda. The board is also considering a contract award to M.L. Albright & Sons, Inc. for the Closed Landfill South Regrade Project; Resolution 26-26 for Couse Creek No. 2 Bridge Preservation (CRP No. 274); Grant #F23-31219-600 for the Asotin & Garfield County CASA Program for Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect; and appointments and reappointments to the Salary Commission Board.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.