Meetings
- 4th Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m.
- Sheriff’s Office Training Room, Hall of Justice
Members
Members | Representing | Term Expiration |
Firefighter Richard VanRiper | Firefighters | 9/30/2026 |
Mayor Veryl Anderson | Small Cities | 12/31/2027 |
Commissioner Steve Ferrell | County | 12/31/2026 |
Wayne L. Nelson, Retired Police Chief Kelso - Disability Board Chairman
| Law Enforcement | 9/30/2025 |
Laura Thurman, Retired Sheriff’s Deputy - Disability Chair – Pro Tempore
| Citizen At Large | 9/30/2026 |
Katrina Harris, Budget & Finance Manager - Disability Board Secretary
| Sheriff’s Office | N/A |
Member Specifications
Term: 2 years. Law Enforcement will on odd years and Firefighters will be on even years.
Purpose
RCW 41.26.Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. Provide for an actuarial reserve system for the payment of death, disability, and retirement benefits to law enforcement officers and firefighters, and to beneficiaries of such employees, thereby enabling such employees to provide for themselves and their dependents in case of disability or death, and affecting a system of retirement from active duty. Contact Katrina Harris in the Sheriff's Office at 360-577-3093 or harrisk@cowlitzwa.gov for general questions.
Time Commitment
Monthly meetings
Cowlitz County Code/WAC & RCW References
RCW 41.26
Cowlitz County Disability Board Bylaws 6-3-2021
Disability Board Rules and Regulations 11-1988
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