County flags substantial needs, uncertain costs for juvenile facility upgrades including roof repairs

Cowlitz County public services staff and commissioners discussed continuing capital needs at the juvenile facility on Wednesday, including recurring roof leaks, failing pneumatic lock components and other systems that may require major investment.

Sean described recent work by contractor Weather Guard to remove ballast and identify degraded TPO roofing material. Staff reported Weather Guard proposed a 20-by-20-foot patch over a classroom area that might serve for one to two years while the county evaluates longer-term solutions.

"They're looking to do a 20 by 20 foot patch, which seems like a new roof to me," staff said; Weather Guard told staff the temporary patch could hold for roughly one to two years (00:28:41). Commissioners and staff discussed that the facility once housed many more youth but current detention populations are much lower, meaning future needs might be for a smaller, reconfigured facility rather than replacement at previous scale.

Staff said roughly $6.5 million is budgeted in the five-year outlook for the facility and that one staff estimate to fully bring the facility up to modern standards was about $10 million, though that figure is an estimate rather than an approved budget. Commissioners discussed continued short-term repairs while exploring regional shared-service possibilities with neighboring counties to reduce capital cost pressures.

Staff warned that repairs and large upgrades will require funding beyond current CIP lines and that specific requests (locks, compressors, IT) will be brought forward for funding consideration and potential board action.