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Cowlitz County jail shows staffing shortfalls, higher overtime as revenues, capital projects shift
Summary
County finance staff told commissioners the jail is under budget on some line items but is operating with seven vacant corrections officer positions filled largely by temps and overtime; 2024 jail overtime cost was reported at $641,000 and a planned inmate tracking system purchase moved into 2025.
Kathy Funk Baxter, Cowlitz County finance director, told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 3 that the county’s jail is under budget in several spending categories but is carrying unfilled corrections positions and elevated overtime costs.
The jail’s intergovernmental revenues were reported as a positive variance; goods-and-services billings to other cities remain outstanding and are expected to be accrued by the auditor. Baxter said other financing sources include reimbursements tied to the county’s behavioral mental health tax. Baxter and Marin (jail operations) said the financials are still being produced through December for…
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