Monday Budget Workshop - 11.02.2026

Cowlitz County Commissioners’ budget workshop, held November 2, 2026, reviewed department budgets and spending priorities for 2027. The board supported a 2.9% COLA for exempt and non-union staff, estimated at $472,000 from the general fund and $702,000 countywide. It also directed staff to retain WACO/WASAC funding for 2027, pay CEDC dues from rural development funds, and work with the Sheriff’s Office on a one-time reduction to its records-fund payment. The board discussed possible staffing and budget reductions across several departments; these were directions for further work rather than formal contract or purchasing approvals. For public works, it reaffirmed a $300,000 transfer of Cook Ferry funds to general-fund parks and rural development funding to backfill Legacy Park expenses. The board also asked staff to develop options for reducing the solid-waste transfer station’s general-fund subsidy; no rate change was approved.

Technology and capital items included the previously proposed $65,000 increase for IT remote backups and discussion of cybersecurity risks. The board supported budgeting a $57,038 transfer to the Sheriff’s IT reserve for 2027 to continue saving toward portable radios, favoring higher-grade radios with satellite/cellular connectivity; the estimated total purchase was about $626,000 for a planned 2028 replacement, and no purchase contract was awarded. Staff also received direction to explore costs and options for juvenile-facility pods, without a funding or procurement decision. The Sheriff reported a $761,000 grant over two years for eligible deputy salaries and academy costs. Risk-fund allocations were left unchanged, with any savings to build reserves; no other contract awards or bid approvals were identified.