Cowlitz County approves Red Ribbon Week proclamation, multiple contracts and budget certifications; Goodwill contract, ordinance change also passed

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine items and a handful of standalone actions during its regular meeting, including a proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week, a contract with Goodwill for developmental-disability employment services and a housekeeping amendment to county ordinances to reflect a renumbered state statute.

The board unanimously approved a proclamation declaring October 23–31, 2025, as Red Ribbon Week in Cowlitz County and invited community coalitions to carry out awareness activities. Sarah Hancock of Epic Coalition spoke briefly at the meeting about local events, a countywide medication take-back and free medication lock-box distribution planned with local pharmacies.

The board also approved a Health & Human Services contract with Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region for developmental-disability employment and day services. Health & Human Services director Gina James told the panel the contract is “up to $87,000 for the year” and the board voted to approve it.

Separately, the board held a public hearing and approved an administrative amendment to county code that updates references to the state Revised Code of Washington: several county land-use ordinances that cited RCW 36.32.120 subsection 10 were amended to cite the statute’s new subsection number (now subsection 11) after the state code reviser’s recodification.

Most other items were approved on a single consent agenda motion. Those items included contract completion letters, contract extensions and calls for bids: a completed countywide pavement overlay project with Lakeside Industries (total project reported as a little over $2,900,000), a two-year material-sales agreement amendment for removal of dredged materials (minimum removal updated to 175,000 cubic yards; company name updated to GLS Newco), scheduled calls for bids on electrical services at the county landfills, and a bid award of $62,209.24 to LROC Industries for purchase of snow sand. The board also certified 2026 budgets for multiple local districts (Silver Lake Flood District, Lexington Flood District and a consolidated diking improvement district) and recorded multiple reappointments to advisory boards.

Commissioners briefly answered questions from a resident about whether public access to dredge spoils is available; staff said the northern portion of the Cookberry site remains open to the public and noted dredged material sales are managed under the county’s material-sale agreements.

The board approved the motions by roll call as a set where noted, and took separate recorded votes on the Goodwill contract, the ordinance amendment and the Red Ribbon Week proclamation. Vouchers and warrants totaling $8,580,470.23 were also approved as part of consent.

Votes at a glance - Resolution proclaiming Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23–31, 2025): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote stated “Aye”). - Health & Human Services contract with Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region (developmental-disability employment and day services, up to $87,000 for the year): moved by a commissioner; outcome: approved (voice vote stated “Aye”). - Ordinance amendment to update references from RCW 36.32.120(10) to RCW 36.32.120(11) across county land-use ordinances (housekeeping): outcome approved after public hearing (voice vote stated “Aye”). - Consent agenda (multiple items including Lakeside Industries contract completion for countywide pavement overlay reported at ~ $2.9 million; LROC snow sand purchase $62,209.24; material sales agreement amendment to GLS Newco; OTEC supplement for Pleasant Hill Road temporary bridge extension to 12/31/2027; multiple interlocal amendments; easements and warranty deeds for Riderwood supplemental water source; vouchers/warrants $8,580,470.23): motion to approve consent agenda; outcome: approved (voice vote stated “Aye”).

Why it matters: The approvals keep routine county operations, capital maintenance and community programs funded and moving forward; the Goodwill contract continues county-supported employment services for people with developmental disabilities; the ordinance change aligns county code with a state law recodification.

What’s next: Staff will execute contracts and agreements as approved; the county will post the signed Red Ribbon Week proclamation and carry out the scheduled funding and procurement steps listed in the consent agenda.