Cowlitz County commissioners approve consent agenda including water‑meter contract, bids and updated communications policy

Cowlitz County’s Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved its consent agenda, authorizing a residential water‑meter contract not to exceed $425,567.16, setting two calls for bids for county projects, awarding an aggregate supply contract, establishing a petty‑cash fund for the county cafe and adopting an updated electronic communications policy that rescinds a 2015 resolution.

The approvals came on a motion to accept the consent agenda following a separate motion to approve the minutes for April 7–9. Board member B moved to approve the minutes, saying, “I move that we approve the minutes of April 7 to the ninth.” The motion passed; those voting aloud said “Aye.” Later, Board member B moved, “I move approval of the consent agenda,” and the board again voted in favor.

Why it matters: the items affect county procurement, daily operations at the Hall of Justice and county road and facilities upkeep. The water‑meter purchase is funded from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations the county previously set aside for replacements, and the policy update governs official electronic communications going forward.

Most impo…