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Cowlitz County commissioners weigh deep cuts as 2027 shortfall looms
Summary
Facing a projected shortfall in 2027, Cowlitz County commissioners discussed across-the-board reductions, a potential one-year budget and deferring a $1 million capital transfer to protect reserves; commissioners warned personnel will likely be affected and options are limited.
COWLITZ COUNTY — Commissioners opened a budget workshop Tuesday to consider proposed reductions to the 2026 budget and strategies to prevent a projected 2027 deficit that finance staff said would require roughly $8 million in additional cuts or new revenues.
Cathy Funk Baxter, the county finance director, presented models showing how a set of proposed reductions would affect the general fund and the county’s reserves. Finance staff excluded internal service billings and mandatory transfers from the cuts and warned that many of the recommended reductions would fall on personnel lines because other departmental budgets cannot absorb deep cuts.
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