At its first regular public meeting of 2026, the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to authorize emergency repairs to Barnes Drive and awarded a three-year bulk fuel delivery contract to Wilcox and Flegel.

County Engineer Susan Eugenis told the board the Barnes Drive roadway "slipped away during this last event" and the county is establishing a project to pursue FEMA and Washington State reimbursement. "We are anticipating that this project will cost about $610,000," Eugenis said, adding an emergency contract would be brought back to the board for signature so crews could begin repairs.

Public works presented the fuel contract: Sean Roe said the award to Wilcox and Flegel covers bulk delivery of gasoline and diesel for road shops and the landfill, and the contract is for three years with the first year "not to exceed $775,000." The board moved and the presiding commissioner called the vote; the transcript records the motion as approved with commissioners responding "Aye."

During the consent-review portion of the meeting commissioners also noted several administrative items: a request-for-proposals release for a food-safety module on the county's Acela system is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026; bids for the Camelot on-site septic system were rejected and will be reissued after two bidders were found unqualified and one proposal was incomplete; and staff presented a resolution to adopt a flood-hazard management plan with recent edits to clarify Mount St. Helens–related hazards.

The board recorded two personnel/appointment items in the consent agenda: letters reappointing Mark Smith to the planning commission for a four-year term and appointing Mark Wilson to the public facilities district (term details referenced in the packet). Vouchers totaling $263,027 were reported for the prior week.

The board's actions set the county to pursue reimbursement funding for the Barnes Drive emergency work, begin contracting for bulk fuel deliveries, and restart procurement for the Camelot septic project. The county will return with contract signatures or additional approvals as staff complete emergency contracting and procurement steps.