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Cowlitz County to continue temporary custodial services while staff evaluates bids and savings
Summary
Public Works reported first-quarter custodial costs around $8,500 per month (about $26,000 per quarter) and asked the board for permission to continue temporary custodial services another quarter while staff tracks inventory savings and solicits bids.
Savannah Clement of Public Works asked the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners for permission to continue using temporary custodial services for at least another quarter while staff evaluates cost savings from inventory control and solicits bids.
Clement said first-quarter custodial actuals, rounded from invoices, are about $8,500 per month or roughly $26,000 per quarter; extrapolated across a full year at current levels this would be "a little over $100,000." She contrasted the current temporary arrangement with a previous annual contract (around $235,000) and recent bids that exceeded $350,000, and said internal inventory and oversight changes are already expected to produce savings.
Clement described current staffing as a mix of a daytime "porter" and a swing-shift cleaner who handles evening work that can’t be done during public hours. She said some departments have taken on additional cleaning tasks and that recovered equipment has reduced costs.
The board agreed to let staff continue on a quarterly review cycle and requested that staff return with updated costs and comparisons before committing to a longer-term contract.
Ending: Staff will continue the temporary custodial arrangement for at least one more quarter and will return to the board with updated cost data and procurement options.
