Lewis County commissioners seek volunteers for Board of Equalization, Water Conservancy Board

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking volunteers interested in serving on two boards: the Lewis County Board of Equalization (BOE) and the Lewis County Water Conservancy Board.

The BOE is made up of three regular, full-time members and three part-time alternates

appointed by the BOCC. It's designed to provide an impartial and economical forum through which taxpayers can appeal determinations of the Lewis County Assessor's Office, according to a news release from the board.

The board is separate from the Lewis County assessor.

BOE members hold semi-formal hearings to adjudicate taxpayers' appeals. The hearings take place between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. many Thursdays and some Fridays throughout the year, depending on how many appeals have been filed. The hearings are held in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the second floor of the Historic Lewis county Courthouse, located at 351 NW North St. in Chehalis, and BOE members are paid $100 for each day of service.

The BOE was established by the Legislature and is governed by the state Department of Revenue (DOR) as per RCW 84.48. Members serve three-year terms and must attend training provided by the DOR. Training typically takes place over a two-day period in June.

Per state law, individuals who hold an elective office or are employed by an elected official cannot serve on the BOE.

For questions about the BOE, contact Clerk of the Board Tammy Martin at 360-740-1391.

To apply for the BOE vacancy, submit an application and a letter of interest by 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in one of the following three ways:

-By mail at 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532.

-Via email at committees@lewiscountywa.gov (include BOE 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.

Application packets are available under the "BOCC News" tab at the bottom of the commissioners' web page at https://tinyurl.com/mtzz3hnj.

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 training event in the fall and then receive eight hours of continuing education annually to continue to meet state standards, according to the release. All 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.

To apply for the Water Conservancy Board vacancy, residents must submit an application, a letter of interest and a brief resume by mail to the 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://tinyurl.com/2r78ejyb.

For questions about the vacant position, contact Water Conservancy Board member David Hilligoss by phone at 360-880-7016.

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