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Cowlitz County finance director reports preliminary 2024 deficit; sales tax shortfall cited
Summary
Finance staff told commissioners preliminary 2024 numbers show the general fund running a multi‑million dollar deficit, driven largely by lower-than-budgeted sales tax receipts; property tax collections remain near budget and county leaders plan a February budget amendment and department spending reviews.
Cathy Funk Baxter, Cowlitz County finance director, told the Board of County Commissioners that preliminary year‑end 2024 financials show the county’s general fund with revenues of about $56,531,000 and expenses of roughly $64,018,000, leaving a preliminary deficit in the low‑millions.
The discrepancy reflects timing and accruals that have not been posted yet, Baxter said, noting the county expects at least $2 million of general sales tax collections for November and December to be recorded soon and that final accruals will narrow the gap. Even after those entries, Baxter said she expects 2024 to close with a deficit and estimated the likely shortfall will be more like $5 million rather than $7 million as preliminary…
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