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Cowlitz County commissioners debate cuts, direct public-safety sales-tax proposal to voters 2–1
Summary
Facing a multimillion-dollar shortfall in 2027, commissioners discussed property-tax capacity, a behavioral‑health tax, a juvenile-detention tax and two versions of public‑safety sales tax; the board recorded a direction to advance a voted public‑safety sales-tax proposal to the ballot with a 2–1 split.
Cowlitz County commissioners on Monday weighed how to close a projected operating gap of roughly $10.3 million for 2027, considering a mix of revenue options and spending reductions before directing staff to pursue a voted public-safety sales-tax measure.
County staff summarized the situation, saying the board had approved 2026 revenues of $61,000,000 and expenditures of $74,000,000 and projected 2027 revenues of $69,300,000 against $79,500,000 in expenses, leaving a structural shortfall. The staff presentation listed several revenue options: taking the full 1% property-tax capacity and banking new-construction value; reintroducing…
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