Cowlitz County treasurer seeks deputy reclassification to add foreclosure duties, split costs with O&M fund
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Treasurer Deborah Gardner proposed a job title and salary grade change for a deputy treasurer to add foreclosure-related duties and a 50/50 split of that position's cost between the general fund and the treasurer's O&M fund; she said the change would save the general fund about $42,000.
Treasurer Deborah Gardner told commissioners she wants to change the title and pay grade of a deputy treasurer to add foreclosure duties, and to split the resulting salary cost 50/50 between the general fund and the treasurer’s operations and maintenance (O&M) fund.
Gardner said the additional duties include work on personal- and real-property tax collection and backing up the existing foreclosure deputy. She described a 2025 workload spike: nearly 400 delinquent personal-property tax accounts at April 30, reduced to about 66 delinquent accounts after collection efforts this year. "As of May 1, we're supposed to be out there distraining the property and selling their personal property," she said, describing the county’s statutory process and the practical constraints in executing distraints.
Gardner estimated the reclassification (grade change from 190 to 200 in the personnel worksheet) plus the 50/50 funding split would net about $42,000 in savings for the general fund because of reallocated IT and personnel charges. Commissioners asked whether the position is covered by the union; Gardner confirmed it is and Jessica Warren, HR, said union approval would also be required before changes took effect. Gardner said if the board approves personnel changes the office will negotiate with the union and, if agreed, the change could be effective Jan. 1.