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Cowlitz County staff seeks short-term custodial hires for public areas amid budget gaps
Summary
With janitorial costs not included in next year’s facilities budget, staff proposed hiring temporary custodial workers for the first quarter and using supervised volunteers; staff will return with cost estimates and background-check requirements before hiring.
County public-services staff told commissioners that janitorial costs were not included in the upcoming facilities budget and asked permission to hire temporary workers for the first quarter of next year to maintain common public spaces including lobbies, public restrooms and courtrooms.
Savannah said the plan would likely use two full-time equivalents and one half-time combination ("2 and a half") through an employment agency, supplemented by vetted volunteer groups that provide community-service hours. She named Faithful Servants as one possible volunteer partner and suggested contacting drug-court participants for supervised community-service options.
Commissioners raised security and background-check concerns for volunteers working in the Hall of Justice. Savannah said CJIS certification and fingerprint-based background checks are required for criminal-justice areas; volunteers in public common areas may not need CJIS clearance but must be supervised while in the building. Finance and facilities staff said the prior janitorial contract value remains in the facilities budget and that the net fiscal impact will depend on the mix of temporary employees versus volunteer hours.
Staff agreed to return with firm cost estimates and a proposed staffing plan next week. Commissioners expressed general openness but reiterated concern about current budget constraints and asked that detailed numbers be provided before any hiring action.
