[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6172102,"mediaKeyId","5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da","parentId",5393104,"title","Commissioners approve consent items including DOC contract amendment and radio upgrade agreement","audioSeconds",136,"startMs",152000,"endMs",288000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da&start=152&end=288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da/thumbnail_152000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172102/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-consent-items-including-DOC-contract-amendment-and-radio-upgrade-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172102-88aa125aa7d1768cdb1ed837119ad9ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145804&Signature=TAY0o8TUsaTFX1l9MvAX69L061Aiw9crxPnCcE4YROa~J4srkWVdEVlR-4edJVMcjUy7HVU5DlrMTLnYvjqf~QOKhMphqGrLjI~PeLUa6zjqwuzaUPyJCfSk2fZE6bb-vDLr1wN6cIWkJnF6gQkOel1AqZa~vMRTKHpWKKCiy-UA7vPmIaUz5~mY9ZZCH2Pz0Q4VNz~3rPSpG5t00qA0VUs24O1aNTK24sjrOXmrrrqJbdwz-CFgqPH07a-kjIV7mGrvkDzFrPJg4IxShs7nWymaLyMh28GjQI5EbRS2yvW8wwcQKf~qC0R7UCGVO0LdqtuFV2ZJmcP2Y4ujYoYqfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-07-15T17:00:57Z","article","Cowlitz County commissioners on Tuesday approved the consent agenda, which included a contract amendment with the Washington State Department of Corrections to continue housing offenders and a local radio upgrade agreement for public-safety communications.

The board scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to consider amendments to county code chapter 6.12 addressing animal control and an updated dangerous-dog section. Commissioners also approved vouchers and several routine contracts; one item on the published consent list was pulled because insurance terms had not been finalized.

County staff described the Department of Corrections amendment as an extension of the existing agreement to 06/30/2027 and reported an updated per-diem rate of $11,414.49. The board also approved a local agreement with CALAS 911 to replace and upgrade public-safety radios, at a total amount of $123,001.93; staff said including the county’s units in a larger regional bid avoids a separate county procurement process.

Commissioners announced vouchers totaling $4,507,103.86 were included in last week’s payments. The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuesday Public Meeting - 07.15.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cowlitz County commissioners on Tuesday approved the consent agenda, including a Department of Corrections contract amendment to house offenders through June 30, 2027, and a $123,001.93 local agreement to upgrade public-safety radios.","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},6172107,"Cowlitz County outlines Hall of Justice remodel costs, plans popup courtroom and security upgrades",427,423000,850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da&start=423&end=850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da/thumbnail_423000.jpg","/articles/6172107/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-outlines-Hall-of-Justice-remodel-costs-plans-popup-courtroom-and-security-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172107-3e8432e51bbbeabb76206b23ddcd3575/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145804&Signature=nLgYQ-MQgDGCOpxZfDGMkQIhybXNrdPMgpPOROxwXxcMhxkHkdKf2NVJEDi6H0nxA9loRE8smNYdngxSzMJ6szeaERAmscpDWVXzlw3dGVWVUF5nut7xftxxfnbI7Ba7koF5vV863PrDprboW3P0mYrxBc9fpnoh3YUDVIabE~8XZ8tmmZoYoEy5rgzxwnCyoCV63wpaOn3o1gAvHmsG7yC7FXl1~CmdimHouh~dJIPGY06TPbwtVEe-oKJYfQlVim02uqWnc7JPgX-NwlRcA~wJtnqgNtQSfipIs6kFfvq0BIPreFVi9M3WS7AIoFfPQMsuKT10I6VJprf2F5TW5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County commissioners and staff on Tuesday detailed plans for a remodel of the Hall of Justice that officials said will begin Aug. 18 and require temporary Friday closures to allow contractor work. The board discussed audiovisual equipment, security screening and larger HVAC and electrical upgrades tied to an energy-construction contract that will be brought forward for public review.

County staff said the remodel matters because superior and district courts must be able to record, store and preserve court proceedings, and those requirements are driving the need for new audiovisual and security equipment. Commissioners also said the HVAC and electrical work is a major capital expense that the public should see in advance of contract approvals.

Public services manager Savannah Clement told commissioners the county plans to use a mobile, non-permanent “pop up courtroom” system so courts can record hearings without making permanent fixtures in the meeting room. “The courts are required to record, save, and store, their court proceedings, and so that's the larger cost, which is about $24,000,” Clement said. She described that system as portable so it could be used at alternate locations if the Hall of Justice were unavailable.

Clement summarized other expected needs: a baggage scanner to supplement existing screening, a judge platform (about the height of a step) and other temporary accommodations. She said the audiovisual and related items together are currently estimated at roughly $46,000 to $50,000 and that those costs are separate from the planned HVAC replacement project being pursued with an energy services company (ESCO).

Commissioners said the Hall of Justice will be closed on some Fridays to allow contractors full weekend access and minimize schedule impacts. Clement said the county is weighing whether to lease or purchase a baggage scanner and is checking whether other county facilities would use one if it were purchased. She also said the county has a backup metal detector it can deploy if a permanently installed baggage scanner fails.

Commissioners and staff said they would include the remodel and the pop-up courtroom costs in the budget materials and make documentation available to the public. Clement said she provided handouts with project details for the board’s review and public access. The board set no new policy at the meeting; staff said contract approvals and any larger budget commitments will be brought back to the board for formal action.","County officials said construction work at the Hall of Justice will begin Aug. 18 and include audiovisual, security and HVAC work estimated at about $46,000–$50,000; courts will use temporary \"pop-up\" AV equipment so proceedings can be recorded and stored.",{"_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},6172091,"Group that bought former 'Charlie’s' building to discuss proposed mental health facility with commissioners",104,1253000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da&start=1253&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da/thumbnail_1253000.jpg","/articles/6172091/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Group-that-bought-former-Charlies-building-to-discuss-proposed-mental-health-facility-with-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172091-076058e9ca8a3f41e0c71dd332c0d848/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145804&Signature=ItOTIcoDHTtb3DG28lXE1KmLVkLZ~bmfa7PPTKHVOwAAw5YmdoinLFYjir4vHPkEKDUDt9B993WfGGVIPWIvnIjdGSGj8hUlM-tqkegigTLsBtYnA3bFA9WRKgsoBScH9ia5a8AHKRGZ4vr54LvnT4Zbp98VWYaZO-v~MK1u~o1MOwKaBoR7I8kMB2oFYSSQ0MaV6Elrh7b8pNkGcINzliT0Mq29vLlfmOeeZXLsVPZWFUrPgrVExlsbqym0eGSFQ-IgEre9hTWHFY~1PlAqhIzxhVZH8oXUZTQvNTw3x7rQb89WlGq4jIRzChKlk0G0uDBlJS-9lQfDMZJXUCgE2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board announced that next Tuesday county staff and a group that has opened mental health facilities elsewhere will brief commissioners about a proposed Cowlitz County mental health facility at the former Charlie’s building.

Commissioners said the presentation will let the group describe the costs, licensing hurdles and operational experiences from other sites. The board scheduled the presentation at 11 a.m. and said it would be a substantive, informational session; commissioners warned they would need to be comfortable with the facility’s finances before supporting any county involvement.

Chairman Rick Dahl said the presentation is intended to surface obstacles and give the commission a realistic view of licensing, costs and state requirements. “What I'm looking for here is we have a proposal that we wanna look down that road... I think it'll be a very beneficial to see what kind of costs they're running into, what kind of things they're running into, licensing things from the state,” Dahl said. Commissioners encouraged colleagues to attend and indicated a willingness to hear about funding and operational models but declined to pledge county funds without further analysis.","A group that has developed other mental health facilities purchased the former Charlie’s building and will meet with commissioners next Tuesday to discuss licensing, financing and operational hurdles; commissioners said they'd consider financial feasibility before committing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172097,"Commissioners weigh 'sanctuary' resolutions; sheriff outlines limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement",1075,862000,1937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da&start=862&end=1937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393104-7fafb8c30392f7ef000f73db500128da/thumbnail_862000.jpg","/articles/6172097/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-weigh-sanctuary-resolutions-sheriff-outlines-limits-on-local-cooperation-with-federal-immigration-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172097-e29b99dff732d83b5c686590c1ef814a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145804&Signature=XmrXK1LGFVF9W-qJ0h8KgadyztO9RzMAHZUN1baQwHkw71m2GK8RMG9p~4SaNYMiV2qvEy3wIKC-GsmbrCQqfThjjS00i9NdVL1JdROeAm5jjClhdjCT8L5eKtdPkRQDuMoj9UnMPj-dTXVCkORcfw5xNC8f91zJj-Xbw~mNsTqYfx1aCSKfwY2MjaWYeZDLHU81eKIL9U5GoyXoEWzQOVsuvszlMqc-guWkPVUhf6AIJTBLj7ILQKgP-l~b7CPZZbJS0X0qDndFLWSrYMU-BgmZhXJFBvLRa28SfQEzwUUsPlNy5oP9I8IsLSpDsSkZM1uJZyVnVQwBJgG-AoxqZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County commissioners discussed a news report about neighboring Lewis County's resolution stating it is not a sanctuary jurisdiction and whether the county should take action. Commissioners said the Lewis County resolution did not change state or federal law and that they would monitor developments but saw no immediate benefit in adopting a local resolution.

At the same meeting, community members asked the sheriff to explain how state and federal laws interact on immigration enforcement. Sheriff Thurman said local law enforcement has had \"very, very little interaction with, immigration enforcement issues,\" and explained how local practice changed after court rulings about detainers and warrants.

Sheriff Thurman told the board that immigration officers previously used handwritten detainers in some jails and that later court rulings required a judicial warrant or judge-signed paperwork before local jails would hold someone for federal authorities. “If there’s a federal warrant of arrest, that means a warrant signed by a federal magistrate, then we can, arrest them on that,” Thurman said. He added that “ICE operates on their own” and that local agencies would check credentials and consult prosecutors when outside authorities seek assistance.

Commissioners also flagged a separate, related reporting item: a state office estimate that Cowlitz County’s population density may exceed 100 residents per square mile, which would remove the county’s rural designation. Commissioners said the county currently receives roughly $2.8 million to $3 million a year tied to that rural designation and uses those funds for infrastructure projects such as bridges, culvert work and water-line extensions. Staff said they were verifying the estimate and whether the county would continue to qualify through 2054 under current rules.

The board did not adopt any new policy on immigration enforcement at the meeting. Commissioners said they would ask the sheriff to consider a public session outlining how the sheriff’s office handles federal requests and the limits of local authority.","Following a recent Lewis County resolution, Cowlitz County commissioners said they would monitor but not adopt a similar resolution; Sheriff Thurman described legal limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and said the county has had few ICE interactions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve consent items including DOC contract amendment and radio upgrade agreement

Cowlitz County outlines Hall of Justice remodel costs, plans popup courtroom and security upgrades

Group that bought former 'Charlie’s' building to discuss proposed mental health facility with commissioners

Commissioners weigh 'sanctuary' resolutions; sheriff outlines limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement