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Finance director clears solicitation for 2025 rural public facilities development funds; $4.7M available, recommends $3.2M award cap
Summary
The county finance director told the Board she expects about $3.0M in rural public facilities (RPD) receipts for 2025 and a $1.6M beginning balance, making roughly $4.7M available for projects; she recommended limiting awards to $3.2M to preserve cushion and was authorized to solicit applications.
Cowlitz County's finance director informed commissioners that the county will solicit applications for rural public facilities development funds for 2025 and recommended an award cap to preserve a fund balance.
Cathy Funk Baxter, finance director, said the county expended about $5.8 million in these RPD funds last year and expects to bring in roughly $3.0 million for 2025. With a beginning fund balance of about $1.6 million, she estimated $4.7 million would be available for disbursement during 2025 and recommended the Board not award more than $3.2 million in the coming cycle to leave a cushion in case revenue estimates are lower than expected.
Funk Baxter said applicants are typically public entities pursuing infrastructure projects that support economic development; ports and municipalities commonly apply and the county has previously split very large projects across two years. She noted that recipients are typically expected to provide matching funds and that the county will post a public notice inviting applications.
The Board authorized staff to begin the solicitation and indicated support for the recommended approach; Funk Baxter said she would return in April with applications for Board consideration.
