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Cowlitz County reviews IT budget, plans to draw on reserves and stagger capital billing
Summary
County finance staff and IT director reviewed a nearly $5.2 million 2025 IT operating budget, outlined $832,000 of unspent capital, and proposed a more than $2 million reduction in 2026 funded by IT reserves and staggered billing tied to tax collections.
Finance Director presented Cowlitz County’s Information Technology operating budget, reporting a 2025 total just under $5.2 million and noting approximately 3.58% of that amount was charged to the general fund. The director said miscellaneous revenue was about $124,000 and other financing sources roughly $18,000.
The director detailed expense categories: personnel costs were below budget for 2025 following vacancies; supplies included more than $2 million in computer software and a rollout of about 25 new computers; services accounted for roughly $400,000 of a $544,000 services budget, largely professional and internal service fees. Capital spending included amounts set aside for a temporary court setup with plans to retain that equipment for potential future use.
On reserves, the finance report said the IT reserve held about $4.8 million and the operating fund about $1.8 million as of the previous week. Budgeted capital of $832,000 had not been spent. To reduce the 2026 allocation, staff proposed using capital reserves and billing in two installments timed to tax collections in April and October, producing a reduction of a little less than $2 million in the IT allocation for 2026.
Matt McCoy, Director of IT, told commissioners the department will prepare scopes and quotes necessary for equipment replacement and confirmed migration work related to the county’s PeopleSoft system remains a future priority. The finance director also noted a $411,000 transfer that funded a separate sheriff’s equipment replacement fund now maintained outside IT.
The discussion closed with commissioners emphasizing the importance of maintaining reserve levels to ensure equipment can be replaced when needed. The budget review moved on after questions from the board.
