# Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings


**Body:** Cowlitz County Commissioners 
**Date:** September 28, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Professional Services, Public Safety, Digital Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence


The Cowlitz County Commissioners held budget hearings on September 28, 2026, reviewing budgets for several departments including the Noxious Weed Control Board, the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, District Court and Probation Services, and the Office of Public Defense (OPD). The Noxious Weed Control Board discussed minor budget adjustments, including an increased vehicle replacement budget from $40,000 to $55,000 and anticipated spending from grants and assessments. The museum presented its budget, highlighting a $197,011 expense budget supported nearly equally by county funds and in-kind contributions from the Historical Society, and discussed plans to manage the Castle Rock Visitor Center with $15,000 from lodging tax funds. District Court and Probation Services detailed staffing challenges due to high criminal caseloads, budget reductions, and requests for reconsideration of a frozen position. The OPD requested approval for a new AI-enabled case management software with an initial cost of approximately $55,000 and annual fees around $36,000, expected to improve efficiency and offset the need for additional paralegals. They also proposed adding a new attorney position and reclassifying a paralegal. Commissioners acknowledged the departments' efforts to reduce costs amid budget constraints and discussed the timing of cost-of-living adjustments and potential future budget amendments. No formal votes on new contracts or procurements were recorded, but action items include further evaluation of the software purchase and staffing decisions.

**Source:** Cowlitz County Commissioners