# Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings

The Cowlitz County Commissioners’ open public meeting on October 6, 2026, included departmental budget reviews and proposed 2027 fee schedules. Health and Human Services described grant- and contract-funded programs, including a $200,000 grant supporting implementation of an online food-permit system. The department said its proposed opioid-settlement funding for county positions in 2027 had not yet been approved. The County Clerk reported no major budget requests, noting three positions had been eliminated and that electronic filing and other process changes are intended to reduce paper, labor, and shredding costs. Commissioners also discussed countywide budget pressures and possible changes to juvenile detention and drug court operations; no related spending action was taken.

Parks staff presented proposed fee increases for camping, pavilion, picnic-site, and large-event rentals, estimating about $15,000 in additional annual revenue at Harry Gardner Park; the Parks Board supported the proposals, but the commissioners took no formal vote. The County Engineer proposed a 4% increase in water and sewer rates and adding meter fees to the schedule, with a separate resolution to follow for the meter fees; the presentation cited a $6.1 million capital fund and roughly $13.5 million in preliminary project needs. Planning staff proposed a 2.9% fee increase and higher rates for services provided to neighboring cities, with formal approval expected during the budget process. No contract awards or vendor selections were identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Healthcare, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 06, 2026

### Sources
- [Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHL_a3XigiM) - Cowlitz County Commissioners