Longview Council backs Cowlitz PFD request to support House Bill 1109

Bob Gregory, project manager for the Cowlitz County Public Facilities District, asked the Longview City Council to support House Bill 1109, legislation that would extend the district’s current sales-tax rebate authority for an additional 25 years.

Gregory said the extension would continue existing sales tax rebates that now partially fund debt service and operations at the Cowlitz County Event Center and the Columbia Theater of Performing Arts. He described a recently adopted master plan that proposes a phased program: modest modernization of the existing conference center (phase 1), a proposed 40,000-square-foot multipurpose building aimed at sports and trade shows (phase 2), and a later equestrian facility expansion (phase 3). He said the multipurpose building is a planning-level estimate of about $30 million and that the bill would likely cover roughly one-third to one-half of that cost if extended.

Gregory outlined other funding and projects in the master plan: a voter‑approved lodging tax that produces roughly $200,000 a year for operations; two existing sales‑tax rebate streams (described by Gregory as a 0.033% rebate that funds debt service for the exposition center and a separate 0.2% rebate supporting the Columbia Theater); a $500,000 county rural economic development grant and $300,000 PFD match for a new northern gateway project now in design; and a $1,000,000 county rural economic development grant for an RV park on the fairgrounds’ south end. He said phase 1 bond issuance and modest expansion work are covered under current authority that runs to 2042, but phase 2 is unfunded and depends on the legislative extension.

After the presentation, a council member moved that Longview join the Cowlitz PFD in supporting House Bill 1109. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; council members responded “Aye” and the mayor declared the motion carried.

Why it matters: Gregory and the PFD framed the bill as continuing existing rebate arrangements rather than creating new state costs. Council members did not request a formal fiscal analysis at the meeting; they voted to lend the city’s support while the measure proceeds through the legislature.

The council did not adopt an ordinance or enter into a financial commitment at the meeting; the action was a request of legislative support only. Gregory offered to answer follow-up questions and said PFD leaders are seeking broader endorsement from cities and counties in Cowlitz County to aid passage.