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Cowlitz County trims 2026 IT allocation, plans to spend reserves for capital needs
Summary
County finance staff told commissioners the 2025 IT operating budget totaled just under $5.2 million and that a planned roughly $2.0 million reduction in 2026 will be offset by tapping IT capital reserves; cash balances and a $832,000 unspent capital authorization were highlighted.
The Cowlitz County finance director told commissioners the county's IT operating budget (fund 50201) came in just under $5.2 million for 2025 and that roughly 3.58 of that amount was supported by the general fund. Finance staff said miscellaneous receipts were about $124,000 and other financing sources approximately $18,000, while transfers in from the general fund were recorded to balance earlier transfer-outs.
The director said the county plans a roughly $2.0 million reduction in the 2026 IT allocation and will use capital reserves to offset that reduction. On the expense side, personnel spending was lower than budget because of vacant positions, and software costs were the largest supplies item, including contracts with vendors such as Insight, Blue Ally and HarrisGov. The budget also includes professional services and internal service charges.
Finance staff reported a budgeted capital authorization of $832,000 that was not expended in 2025 and an IT reserve cash balance reported at just under $4.8 million, with the IT operating fund holding just under $1.8 million. Those balances, the director said, supported the decision to reduce the IT allocation for 2026.
Commissioners pressed staff about the goal of maintaining replacement cycles instead of spending reserves to zero. Matt McCoy, identified in the meeting as the director of IT, confirmed staff will document scopes and quotes for equipment replacement and that replacing legacy systems such as PeopleSoft remains on the plan for a future cycle. McCoy said the county will likely bill charges related to replacements in April and October following tax collections.
The finance director closed the IT presentation by noting transfers during the year that moved $402,000 (including $325,000 to IT reserves and $77,000 attributed to a technology-related share) and a $411,000 transfer that funded the sheriff's equipment replacement fund.
