Cowlitz County staff say Longview cold‑weather shelter operating; emergency management expects grant carryover

Emergency management staff told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners that the Longview cold‑weather shelter has been active this winter and that the county expects to request a budget amendment to carry an unspent 2024 grant into 2025.

"They seem to be up and running well with their new location," said Larry, an emergency management staff member, of the Longview shelter. Kathy Funk Baxter, Cowlitz County finance director, said the emergency management intergovernmental budget shows limited January activity and that first‑quarter billings had not yet posted.

The commissioners were told the county’s role is largely informational and coordinative: it helps communities locate shelters and passes through grant funding when available, but it does not provide buildings, staff or direct shelter operations. "We don't provide the building. We don't provide the people," Larry said. He added that organizations running shelters typically notify the county when they are opening or become over capacity, but there is no guarantee they will do so.

County staff said the largest revenue line for emergency management is grant‑related goods and services, and investment income provides only small miscellaneous revenue. Baxter said: "We expect this department will have a budget amendment, due to grants, a 2024 grant that's carrying over into 2025." The board asked whether the carryover included funding tied to Longview's cold‑weather shelter; Baxter replied, "I believe that's correct, sir."

Commissioners discussed how the county learns about available shelter locations. Larry said historically some shelters were run by the Kelso‑Longview Ministerial Association but that this year Longview and community partners are operating shelters at different facilities, including the McClellan Art Center in Longview and a facility staffed by Kelso Christian Academy in Kelso.

Board members pressed whether shelter operators track bed capacity and notify the county; Larry said operators manage capacity themselves and "they do provide us information when there is either they're spooling up or in a case where they were over full, they would probably notify us, but that's not a guarantee."

The board did not take formal action other than noting the pending budget amendment; staff said updated first‑quarter billings should post before the March financial report.

Ending: County staff said they will return with updated financial postings and a formal budget amendment request once grant carryover details are finalized.