At a Jan. 8 Cowlitz County budget workshop, a commissioner proposed restructuring the general fund so departments receive set percentages based on historical spending rather than beginning from department requests and trimming to fit the total.

"We know we're gonna get $70,000,000 in. Pick a number... these departments historically have always spent this percentage of this 70,000,000," the commissioner said, arguing that a percent-based approach would give departments clarity about expected funding and allow them to retain gains from efficiencies.

Staff and other commissioners discussed practicalities, including the need to monitor the allocations for changes driven by state legislation or new mandated workloads. One commissioner asked whether changes during the budget cycle—for example, if the legislature assigns a new workload—would be accommodated; the proponent said the approach would need to be fluid and monitored.

Finance staff agreed to model the idea and return with data on historical department percentages and scenarios to help the board evaluate the proposal for future budget cycles.