Regional briefs for Nov. 30

• Published November 30, 2008

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Thurston County

Projects to close Route 8, I-5 lanes Monday-Friday

The following projects are expected to affect traffic this week, according to the state Department of Transportation:

• South Thurston County: Pavement repair and installation of temporary lighting will close single lanes and cause slowdowns from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday on Interstate 5 near the Scatter Creek Rest Area.

• Nisqually: Bridge column repair work will close the on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• West Thurston County: Wall construction will close a lane on eastbound state Route 8 near Winslow Road from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Grays Harbor

East-county cities to wrap up budget talks

East Grays Harbor County cities are wrapping up their 2009 budget processes, and Elma, McCleary and Montesano all plan to have final budget discussions this week, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

A final budget hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Elma City Hall, 202 W. Main St., Elma.

Elma's draft budget is similar to the current budget, Mayor Dave Osgood said. The city doesn't plan to increase property taxes or raise water or sewer rates, nor does it plan to cut services or staff, he said.

Montesano plans to address its budget at a workshop at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Because the council recessed budget discussions Nov. 25 to the upcoming meeting, it might take action at the workshop. The meeting will be at City Hall, 112 N. Main St., Montesano.

McCleary will have a final public hearing on its proposed 2009 budget at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 100 S. Third St., McCleary.

The $7.2 million McCleary budget is a 10.5 percent increase over this year, largely because of an electricity rate increase enacted last year and a proposed water-rate increase. Taxes on private utilities and garbage collection will continue to increase.

Olympia

Thurston planners to have mineral land open house

The Thurston County Long Range Planning Division will have an open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday about mineral land designations.

The meeting is at Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive S.W., Olympia.

Finance officials to meet about fuel tax bonds

The state Finance Committee and Public Deposit Protection Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Office of the State Treasurer in room 230 of the Legislative Building in Olympia.

The agenda includes the issuance and sale of state motor vehicle fuel tax general obligation bonds.

For more agendas for local commission and council meetings this week, see Pages B4-B5.