# Cowlitz County Commissioners 's livestream

Cowlitz County Commissioners’ 2027 budget workshop, November 3, 2026. Commissioners reviewed department budgets and set directions for revisions, including a 2.9% COLA for exempt and nonunion staff, estimated at $472,000 from the general fund and $702,000 countywide. They directed staff to retain WACO and WAUSAC memberships for 2027, fund CEDC dues from rural-development dollars, and continue working with the Sheriff’s Office to reduce a general-fund payment to its law-enforcement records fund. Department reductions were also discussed, including possible cuts to the coroner, treasurer, clerk, commissioners, juvenile detention, assessor, and other offices; staff are to return with updated figures. These were budget directions and discussions; the transcript records no formal motions or votes on contract awards.

Procurement and capital-related items included an additional $65,000 for IT remote backups, and a revised proposed $57,038 general-fund transfer in 2027 to the Sheriff’s equipment and technology reserve, supporting future replacement of radios and other equipment. The Sheriff described high-grade radios at an estimated $12,300 each, with satellite/cellular connectivity and improved interoperability under consideration for a later replacement cycle. Commissioners also confirmed a $300,000 allocation of Cook Ferry dollars to general-fund parks, with Legacy Park costs to be backfilled from rural-development funds. They discussed exploring smaller juvenile-facility pods and other facility changes as potential future savings, but made no procurement decision. The board chose to keep the current risk allocation and build reserves; a newly awarded Sheriff’s grant of about $761,000 over two years was reported, but was not yet reflected in the budget.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Sources
- [Cowlitz County Commissioners 's livestream](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKYNYaBrZH4) - Cowlitz County Commissioners