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Cowlitz County commissioners spar over closed-door budget workshop; staff to provide participant list
Summary
Commissioners questioned why a proposed internal budget workshop would be held without public access and asked staff to provide a list of participating departments and attendees before the meeting.
Cowlitz County commissioners on Monday pressed staff for details after county leaders scheduled a budget “workshop” that would take place out of public view, saying residents and elected officials should not be excluded from sessions where public funds are discussed.
The debate began when Commissioner (unnamed) questioned the decision to hold a pre-retreat workshop behind closed doors, saying, “the lens I always look through when I look at things is through the taxpayer,” and asking why the public would be excluded from a meeting that could generate ideas affecting the general fund.
County Finance Director Kathy Funk Baxter and other staff said the closed-session portion was…
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