Cowlitz County Commissioners held a budget workshop on September 17, 2025, focusing on preliminary budget preparations for 2026. The meeting highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility as departments begin to outline their financial needs for the upcoming year.

During the workshop, Cathy and another commissioner shared insights from a recent budget retreat, where they gathered suggestions from various departments. They presented preliminary budget numbers based on historical spending from 2023 and 2024, which will guide departments as they prepare their budgets for 2026. A key recommendation from the retreat was to reduce travel-related expenses by 50%, a target that Tracy Jackson from the Building and Planning Department exceeded, cutting even more from those lines.

Tracy Jackson provided an overview of her department's budget request, describing it as "very vanilla" and focused on maintaining the status quo for the next two years. She manages four funds, including community long-range planning and the permitting fund, and emphasized the importance of professional services in her budget. Jackson noted that most expenditures are tied to permit-related activities and community-wide initiatives, with significant reliance on vendors for plan reviews and permit processing.

The discussions during the workshop reflect the county's commitment to prudent financial management while ensuring that essential services continue to be funded. As departments finalize their budgets, the emphasis on cutting unnecessary expenses will play a crucial role in shaping Cowlitz County's financial landscape for the coming years. The commissioners will continue to review these proposals, aiming to align budgetary decisions with the community's needs and priorities.