Cowlitz County seeks $16,000 supplement for Hall of Justice cafe; commissioners consider vending alternatives

County finance and facilities staff asked commissioners on Thursday to consider continuing the Hall of Justice (HOJ) cafe and to budget a modest general-fund supplement after the cafe posted startup losses in its first months.

Kathy Funk Baxter, Cowlitz County finance director, told the commissioners the cafe opened in April and through October had generated $13,431 in revenue; staff projected about $17,731 in revenue for a full year of operation. Direct cafe supply costs through October were $10,789 (staff projected $13,589 for the year after adding remaining purchases). Baxter said the cafe has used a temporary employee provided by a staffing agency; the county had paid about $12,604 through October for temporary staffing and projected an additional $4,500 for the year, producing a projected total temporary-services cost of roughly $17,100.

Baxter summarized the financial position this way: year-to-date (through October) the cafe showed…