Volunteer roundup: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Solid Waste, Public Facilities District, Water Conservancy Board

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is looking for volunteers interested in filling vacancies on several of its boards and committees, including the following:

  • Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
  • Solid Waste Advisory Committee
  • Lewis County Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors
  • Water Conservancy Board

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, 2026. To apply, submit an application and a letter of interest in one of the following three ways:

  • By mail at 351 N.W. 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.

For an application, click here.

For a sample letter of interest, click here.

The Water Conservancy Board uses a different application process. For that board, applications must be submitted by mail (details follow) 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 – which includes representatives from groups that collect the lodging tax as well as those that qualify to use the funding – 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 committee, which is mandated by state law under RCW 70A.205.110, is designed to represent multiple interests, including citizens, public interest groups, business, waste management and agriculture.

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 information about SWAC, visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/solid-waste/lewis-county-solid-waste-advisory-committee-swac.

For questions about the committee, 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 ex-officio (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 is a governing board that processes water-rights applications at the local level.

The board, which was established by RCW 90.80, 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 to continue to meet state standards. Training is paid for by the Water Conservancy Board.

The Water Conservancy 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.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026, to be considered. 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

For general information about the board, visit the Department of Ecology’s website at https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-supply/Water-rights/Water-conservancy-boards. For questions about the vacant position, contact Water Conservancy Board member David Hilligoss by phone at 360-880-7016.

Posted: June 08, 2026