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Sheriff’s office presents $21 million in budgets; commissioners press on $800,000 overtime line
Summary
Cowlitz County finance and sheriff’s office staff outlined 14 sheriff-related budgets totaling about $21 million and defended large overtime and cost-allocation increases; commissioners pressed for analysis on when hiring additional deputies would be more cost-effective than sustained overtime.
County finance staff and sheriff’s office leadership presented detailed budgets for 14 sheriff-related funds totaling roughly $21 million for 2026–27 and laid out major cost drivers including overtime, interfund cost allocations and several reimbursable contracts.
Why it matters: The sheriff’s budgets encompass patrol, court security, grant-funded units, animal control and multiple special funds. Large overtime lines and rising IT, motor pool and facilities cost allocations increase pressure on general-fund and special-fund resources and were the subject of sustained commissioner questioning.
Brad Thurman, the county finance and budget manager, said the combined sheriff-related budgets include regular patrol, the crime-reduction team, boat-safety grants, a benefit-administration fund for retirees, K-9 donations, the BearCat vehicle bond and a planned sheriff equipment and technology fund. He reported 14 budgets with an aggregate total near $21 million, and said some funds are reimbursable or…
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