District Transparency Policy for Lewis County Fire District 5
Policy Statement: Lewis County Fire District 5 (the “District”) is committed to operating with transparency, accountability, and in full compliance with Washington State law. We believe that open government is essential for building public trust and ensuring that our community members are well-informed about the operations and governance of their fire district.
This policy outlines our commitment to providing clear, accessible, and timely information to the public.
1. Public Meetings
All meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners are open to the public, in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30).
- Schedule & Agendas: A schedule of regular meetings is published annually. Agendas for upcoming meetings will be posted on our website at least 24 hours in advance.
- Minutes: Minutes from Board meetings will be made available on our website after they have been approved.
- Public Comment: A public comment period is included in the agenda for every regular meeting to provide the community with an opportunity to address the Board.
2. Public Records
The District will make its public records available for inspection and copying as required by the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56).
- What is a Public Record? A public record includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.
- How to Request a Record: Public records requests can be submitted to the District’s designated Public Records Officer. A request form and contact information for the Public Records Officer are available on our website.
- Response Time: The District will respond to public records requests within five (5) business days by either (1) providing the record; (2) acknowledging receipt of the request and providing a reasonable estimate of the time required to respond; or (3) denying the request with a written statement of the specific reasons for the denial.
3. Financial Transparency
The District is committed to the responsible stewardship of public funds. We will provide the public with clear and accessible information about our financial status.
- Budget: The annual budget adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners will be published on our website. This includes projected revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year.
- Financial Reports: We will post periodic financial statements and reports to keep the public informed of the District’s financial health.
- Audits: Reports from the Washington State Auditor’s Office regarding the District’s finances and accountability will be made available to the public.
4. Contact Information
We encourage residents to engage with us. Contact information for District staff and the Board of Fire Commissioners is available on our website.
5. Website Information
Our website serves as a primary tool for transparency. We are committed to keeping the information on our website current, accurate, and easy to access.
For any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Fire Chief or the Public Records Officer at (360) 262-3320.