[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6060719,"mediaKeyId","3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5","parentId",3288880,"title","Public Works seeks more road‑material bidders, lists surplus units for auction and advances Primrose Road chip‑seal project","audioSeconds",615,"startMs",2505000,"endMs",3120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5&start=2505&end=3120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060719/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Public-Works-seeks-more-roadmaterial-bidders-lists-surplus-units-for-auction-and-advances-Primrose-Road-chipseal-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060719-1fece1f22f08d097ab68c127b27c0cae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093309&Signature=JQpffBEnI9J-sEHsmCa0GDaNwfJFJhil1k~nz5zHMV~fmaVPHmHoVVn3jMNFvVfTsda24YOu1AB~TwX4K5WpaNkPqq85VKIIZNClb6qJncmkpEI0unEl4XFqbm2~W3ChQfEMRJQUifIw2MnSJLCGtumQG5dByJ1D3phPGqo3BPGPRcH78sD7BXeK2Ti~~KUfcM89owJHyr~Nxe54YR1QZNOd4D3somKGYgPOE9ebMJGGvoPXa~UgAySIztT8xIMGW5kqT1CtvRPXm3wfARC3NbSlnYwrNK9FhA4rDrEdkBjcqf2EMy3yrFA-1~X8dZmRh-Nl7NOpnUJH92Pz0cWOJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-05-13T15:08:30Z","article","Public Works Director Sean Roey told the board Monday that county roads staff are soliciting additional bidders for road‑servicing materials, are preparing a set of vehicles and equipment for public auction and are advancing County Road Project No. 8819 for a triple chip seal on Primrose Road this summer.

Call for bids and surplus equipment
Public Works opened a second call for bids for road‑servicing materials to expand the vendor pool, with an explicit goal of attracting suppliers from the south end of the county. Roey also reviewed 12 items proposed for public surplus auctions: four solid‑waste items (including a 1993 tracked dump bed that staff said is not economical to repair and a load‑king low‑boy with a sprung bed), several decommissioned sheriff vehicles (two patrol Interceptors and an older Expedition), motor‑pool vehicles and a range of fleet equipment (mower heads, arms, backhoe). Staff said heavy equipment tends to draw better response at large auction houses while lighter items go to a regional public auctioneer. Roey described seller fees of roughly 8–12% on auction sales and noted that higher‑value items usually have lower seller premiums.

Primrose Road County Road Project
Roey presented County Road Project No. 8819, the Primrose Road improvement project. Primrose is one of eight remaining “primitive” county roads (not including alleys) and runs off Mount Pleasant as a gravel frontage; staff recommended a triple chip seal this summer to bring the road onto the regular maintenance rotation and to address development pressure that has increased from a handful of houses to roughly a dozen and a half.

State rules and procurement: Roey said state law requires the county to advertise and follow public‑project processes when upgrading primitive roads and that because county forces will perform the work, an advertisement is required for any estimate above the statutory threshold (staff cited $5,000 as the relevant threshold for advertising). The road work is intended as a long‑term maintenance investment to reduce the labor intensity of gravel‑road upkeep.

Discussion versus decisions: the board reviewed the items and asked procedural questions about auction fees, vendor outreach and the scope of the chip‑seal project. No contract awards were made Monday; staff will return with bids, auction scheduling and the formal county‑road resolution for final action where required.

What’s next: Public Works will advertise bids, finalize auction arrangements, and proceed with the Primrose Road project advertisement and scheduling this summer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday Business Meeting - 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works asked commissioners Monday for a second call for bids for road‑servicing materials, listed 12 vehicles and equipment items proposed for public auction and advanced plans to put Primrose Road on a triple chip‑seal schedule this summer.","taxTitle","Cowlitz County, Washington","taxId",5122,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060729,"Planning staff recommend approval of 20‑lot ‘cottage housing’ subdivision near Castle Rock; commission split on unit-size waiver",706,3579000,4285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5&start=3579&end=4285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5/thumbnail_3579000.jpg","/articles/6060729/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Planning-staff-recommend-approval-of-20lot-cottage-housing-subdivision-near-Castle-Rock-commission-split-on-unit-size-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060729-06ca547a9030398ffffb5498805cb1bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093309&Signature=gPC4NH7C6hXZlezmlEeB8ReHbIZwcPScASyNosdpp3G4MoVfMYzSEOjLlVQBeqFHBPo29Vu~unpzqXtb-jod5zSE9Dd0vZ3-cB70DM5JvclOiQBsWPQzuzx6xBprJf5GCYKBJTWyU2zfLJ9nCtHTzUA4~sHN5nKkrdnLSOcdoHjwqD1~DDSyDTX-MeABInquw-zS13kr8OBBOeBJSXytS-BdoOEQSxi3ovxHcsZwp373wMTa7SiXzJiAjuvfvNnr-YhYc~ZkPhL71d6iDKLvXghCVaif~C43NSsLeRTOdW38MpsBVMrGUojs0BajisODd~yCI8SCpBcafHLQKg2LXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County building and planning staff told the commissioners Monday they will bring a 20‑lot subdivision before the board that uses the county’s cottage‑housing provisions and public‑water service to create smaller, lower‑maintenance homes northwest of the city of Castle Rock.

Planning staff described the project as a 3.6‑acre development on West Side Highway just above the West Place subdivision. Under cottage‑housing rules, the developer proposes duplex‑style buildings (two single‑family units sharing a common wall) on individual lots; garages and porches are generally treated separately from the ordinance’s habitable‑space cap.

Why it matters: cottage housing is intended to increase housing variety and give buyers lower‑maintenance options. Staff told the board the site could have held up to 26 units under conventional zoning; the applicant is proposing 20 units using cottage‑housing provisions and public water service.

Key points from staff and the planning record:
- Unit size cap and waiver: the county’s cottage‑housing code caps habitable unit size at 1,200 square feet. The developer requested a waiver to allow up to one‑third of units to be 1,400 square feet (staff recommended granting that waiver). The planning commission denied the waiver but approved the subdivision without it; the board may adopt either the staff recommendation (with waiver) or the planning commission’s recommendation (no waiver).
- Lighting: neighbors raised concerns about streetlight glare on Gassman Road. Staff proposed a condition limiting street lighting along Gassman Road to intersection points to reduce off‑site glare while meeting the city standard, because the development lies inside the Castle Rock urban growth area and must meet some city standards for future compatibility.
- Septic and utilities: the development will use public water; the proposals call for multiple shared septic systems (not a single large group system). Staff said shared systems are smaller and better understood than a single large communal system.
- Parking and access: staff said each unit will have two parking spaces and a multiuse path will connect to the existing path on West Side Highway. County engineering required redesign of the Gassman/West Side Highway intersection to a 90‑degree alignment and dedication of right‑of‑way; construction would be pursued later if grant funding can be obtained.

Open issues and context: the subdivision is a closed‑record hearing (applicants have a single public hearing to limit re‑opening the record). Planning staff said they provided notice to nearby neighbors at the commission’s request. Two commissioners raised objections to a planning‑commission suggestion to encourage dark‑sky lighting; staff said the county does not currently have a dark‑sky ordinance and declined to impose it on the applicant.

Discussion versus decisions: staff recommended approval with the waiver; the planning commission approved the project without granting the waiver. The board will consider the project at the scheduled hearing and may accept the planning commission recommendation or adopt staff’s recommendation to allow the larger units.

What’s next: the subdivision will appear on the board’s agenda (a closed‑record hearing). Staff said they will be ready to answer questions about septic design, parking and the lighting condition at the hearing.","Cowlitz County planning staff recommended approval Monday of a 20‑lot cottage‑housing subdivision northwest of Castle Rock, while the planning commission approved the project without granting a staff‑supported waiver to increase some unit sizes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060734,"County outlines landfill post-closure funds, plans for vertical wells and Cell 10",1672,783000,2455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5&start=783&end=2455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5/thumbnail_783000.jpg","/articles/6060734/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-outlines-landfill-post-closure-funds-plans-for-vertical-wells-and-Cell-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060734-dac23491b016e5b96a8d858ea305c87d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093309&Signature=FeQRG~RPzB7mlJTadC~Qt4fTX~somP32NP8ccCMLph~SQK1ogC1i1x8GKHGSSlCTFmbxhmDUecnCUXXUyFe6EfUNlas4QmM0OZqIctayGGUuHlVj1TWMQLz~F5QGOfPZH90pjSdZfHy6ykrFUu48YUVHfC0fWggcygXe1zsBqtYge70e8~Bj~uBsRrBPZLykiZTCHrvf7mnhQmKpeKo1IQidgigZqU9yz5pjTjXinETlnhjf-WZv9XQoef2nCCTR8Y~ESkj~z95uYhrwgmPgsxMuFdTqJAzq45vsZOqLVaWIT8xIDx2N1iJYVRlVadb7clL~OGld1wUiEaGbaSAXpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works Director Sean Roey and county finance staff told the Board of Commissioners Monday that the county’s solid-waste enterprise has large cash balances but also substantial long-term closure and post-closure liabilities that drive transfers and reserve requirements.

Roey said the operational fund had a current cash balance of about $7.7 million and that several restricted funds collectively hold tens of millions: the L fund ($17.1 million), Tenant Way lined closure fund ($8.85 million), Tenant Way unlined ($0.9 million), headquarters closure fund ($24.76 million) and headquarters post-closure fund ($8.76 million).

What staff told the board:
- For 2024, staff accrued about $3.4 million back to the prior year; actual cash receipts to date for the main fund have been roughly $9.84 million, which staff said is on track on a cash basis.
- Near-term capital: the county expects to install vertical gas wells in August or September — roughly two dozen vertical wells across closed cells — with an estimated cost of about $1.7 million for the vertical-well project. Cell 10 design work is at roughly 60% and staff estimated Cell 10 construction at about $700,000 for the cell design cost noted in the capital budget and suggested a later construction estimate in the multi-million-dollar range (board discussion referenced a $14 million range for a future cell construction scenario).
- Land rent to the general fund: the county uses a historical 6% return-on-value calculation to set the annual rent the landfill pays to the general fund. Finance staff said auditors require consistent application of that method and that the county adjusted the rent with an inflationary factor during the last budget cycle. Commissioners discussed whether market interest-rate changes require re-evaluation; staff said auditors prefer consistency in the calculation but that the method could be revisited if warranted.
- Post-closure liability example: staff cited an estimated full closure and post-closure liability for Headquarters Basin 1 of about $128 million as a long-run planning figure; staff said transfers and annual financial-assurance (FA) work help ensure funds are available when work is required.

Legal and permit horizons: staff said Tenant Way requires a minimum 30-year post-closure responsibility and headquarters permits specify 55 years of responsibility (with potential to extend depending on site conditions). The county evaluates closure costs basin-by-basin and updates cost projections when closures or significant work are undertaken.

Discussion versus decisions: this was an informational presentation. Commissioners asked about the sufficiency of funds in a worst-case closure scenario and staff responded that current restricted balances would cover closure for currently open areas. Staff reiterated the county’s conservative valuation approach for the rent calculation and said the county will continue to document methodologies for auditors.

Next steps: staff will proceed with engineering and procurement planning for vertical wells and continued design work on Cell 10, and will present any significant budget or contract requests to the board as required.","Public Works and finance staff told the board that solid-waste operations have strong cash balances but large, long-term closure liabilities; staff described near-term capital work including vertical gas wells and engineering for Cell 10 and summarized post-closure funding and legal/permit horizons.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060739,"County finance director: auditor's office revenues tracking but timing lags complicate year-to-date picture",0,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5&start=580&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5/thumbnail_580000.jpg","/articles/6060739/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-finance-director-auditors-office-revenues-tracking-but-timing-lags-complicate-year-to-date-picture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060739-878d39b782d6de4ddeec2d897adabca0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093309&Signature=JmYj-00xNs0U1H4EIdZUBwqPaDTVmdqjyPnZLY1LjKymSc1iFOTp1I9TqwGJEGJp3xiuaQsNdR63l8xyt4FNXmAVJh5PnD1COPXhXb5z02pgGgJC59FAXs54mSM0NaWZ7Nojlq-b0c2rm~P2BA2pxdOiggAmqSRlGn8egRHzc5ScC603zch31upTnGHsQpyDIfdeO4JvRuO5qrpZB64fcdlyyf9tFYabBlu1vgP5VqnMX7HMs8qg9tQ1StUrj2r~qhc7HcywH2BfuLJlOO0UxQ~oQimdfMacidl5k3zVD6wpQwjHUzKOzCKc04-Jt2g8Wg-FmN6pXL30i8m0A2PASw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County Finance Director Kathy Funk Baxter told commissioners Monday that the auditor’s office’s largest revenue source is sales tax, budgeted this year at $11,530,600, and that timing and accrual rules mean only a limited number of 2025 sales-tax receipts are included in the year-to-date totals.

The auditor’s office “has sales tax revenue as the number 1 item,” Funk Baxter said during the county’s budget review session. She and auditor staff cautioned that January and February receipts are often booked back to the prior year and that, for the report presented, only March and April collections were posted for 2025.

That timing created an appearance of being below target on a simple year-to-date comparison even though staff said the county’s sales-tax receipts are roughly in line with expectations for this stage of the year. “We’re right on track,” Funk Baxter said.

Why it matters: sales tax is the single largest revenue line for the auditor’s general fund, so monthly posting and accrual rules substantially affect early-year budget-to-actual comparisons. Commissioners pressed staff for clarity on which months were included and how one-time or annual receipts are recognized.

Key figures and program notes given at the meeting:
- Sales-tax budget: $11,530,600 (2025). Staff cautioned posted receipts through April reflect a limited set of collections due to accruals.
- Property taxes: staff said the county typically collects “about 99% of what we bill out.” Property-tax collections are handled on the treasurer’s financials, not the auditor’s report.
- Intergovernmental revenue: budgeted $2,379,000; year-to-date receipts reported at $229,000. Auditor staff said the bulk of this to date is the PUD privilege tax, paid once a year.
- Goods and services (internal billings): budgeted $1,300,000; year-to-date receipts $373,815. Staff noted large, lump-sum internal billings later in the year affect the month-to-month pattern.
- Miscellaneous revenue: budgeted $12,550; received $30,377 year-to-date. Auditor staff member Kaylee explained miscellaneous includes “little things like notary fees” and occasional printing fees.
- Auditor personnel: budgeted $1,700,000; year-to-date actuals $453,000. Staff reported 15 filled positions and one vacancy as of April; payroll posting timing (paydays on the 10th and 25th) also affects the monthly appearance of personnel costs.

Discussion versus decisions: the presentation was informational; no policy changes were adopted. Commissioners and staff discussed the role of accrual accounting and timing of receipts, and staff agreed to provide additional memos and backup spreadsheets that explain the PUD allocation calculation and the treatment of lump-sum receipts.

What comes next: staff offered to provide the PUD calculation spreadsheet and a memo explaining how the county allocates the PUD privilege tax among the county and cities. Commissioners asked for that detail to better interpret year-to-date variances in future reports.","Cowlitz County finance staff told commissioners that sales tax is the auditor’s largest single revenue source and that timing of receipts and accounting accruals makes early-year comparisons misleading. Staff also reviewed property-tax collection, intergovernmental revenue from the PUD privilege tax, and personnel and miscellaneous variances.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060724,"County to hold public hearing to update music‑festival code; insurance and state RCW alignment cited",330,3054000,3384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5&start=3054&end=3384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288880-14b5558b4c6b1a6c0a4a56e8f2ee96b5/thumbnail_3054000.jpg","/articles/6060724/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-to-hold-public-hearing-to-update-musicfestival-code-insurance-and-state-RCW-alignment-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060724-62783aa1676e0871afd69a2313dcbd63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093309&Signature=beH39NlUsM~13HOvX-7h7R7iZRqOeLSq3vrXImDvyCkx3J7ogAIubehBgKEUNTaGkagiQ27e8yGFf6Zw6XygtBl~iRoAAqQ2lI8ffzBo4idMBHoUX3bPPyM3QDbONQ6jO~y3qsxZaZxYZv06zvCb6PZ5AhCfmsNYQOLoF1wg0UMZwnmz8O0kLm-AlNhV66cAafmWlKv~LXplIFf-3tKQn9iKVRj6D4OSWq3RKbYt8PNDErR3waTUs34hM~56sTbhAPYV~I7c21c8e-0Hj5UEPINtWTzFCZ7Nq~IE4VDVlGB5iZccsR9Hz6Im1mCZdkvhcyxEvO5knp6Qm1SYn0JHow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County risk management asked commissioners Monday to schedule a public hearing to update the county’s music‑festival code, which staff said is out of date and needs revisions to insurance requirements and alignment with state law.

Finance Director Kathy Funk Baxter introduced the item on behalf of risk management and said the current county code dates back decades and needs to be modernized. “There’s also a state RCW that goes with it, and so we’re also amending it to make sure that we’re up to date with the state provisions as well,” she said.

Staff said the principal substantive change under consideration is the insurance requirement for permitted music festivals; the prosecuting attorney’s office has reviewed the draft amendments. Commissioners and staff noted a scheduling inconsistency in the draft notice: the agenda listed the hearing for June 10 but the item manager had June 3 on the working materials. Staff said they would correct the date and return an updated resolution placing the hearing on the correct day.

Discussion versus decisions: the board authorized staff to schedule a public hearing; no ordinance was adopted at Monday’s meeting. The hearing will be a public forum for proposed updates to the music‑festival permitting code and associated insurance provisions.

What’s next: risk management will finalize the resolution with the correct hearing date and publish the notice for the public hearing; staff said they will provide the board with the finalized language and the prosecuting attorney’s review as part of the hearing packet.","Risk management staff requested a public hearing to modernize the county code governing music festivals, primarily to update insurance requirements and align county rules with state provisions; the hearing date will be confirmed and the prosecutor’s office has reviewed the draft changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Works seeks more road‑material bidders, lists surplus units for auction and advances Primrose Road chip‑seal project

Planning staff recommend approval of 20‑lot ‘cottage housing’ subdivision near Castle Rock; commission split on unit-size waiver

County outlines landfill post-closure funds, plans for vertical wells and Cell 10

County finance director: auditor's office revenues tracking but timing lags complicate year-to-date picture

County to hold public hearing to update music‑festival code; insurance and state RCW alignment cited