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Auditor and budget staff report mixed revenue picture; county to review association dues
Summary
Budget staff reported tax collections below full‑year targets due to accrual timing, intergovernmental receipts slightly over budget driven by privilege taxes, and auditors raised concerns about the value of dues to associations such as WASCAA/WACO.
Sean Roe presented a fiscal snapshot of several funds, noting tax receipts are at about $3.8 million of an $11.5 million budget (with month‑to‑month accrual timing affecting the apparent shortfall) and that intergovernmental revenue is slightly over budget due mainly to privilege‑tax collections. Roe said the county is watching sales tax closely and that timing differences (accruals and months included) explain much of the variance.
When the chair queried dues and subscriptions, the auditor (Carolyn) explained she splits dues between elections and auditor accounts and estimated Cowlitz County's auditors‑association portion at roughly $4,000 annually. Carolyn said auditors are reviewing the deliverables from associations (referred to in the transcript as WACO/WASCAA) and that some elected officials are not receiving expected legislative support. "I do not utilize Waco services," she said, and commissioners agreed to evaluate whether the county is getting value for the dues it pays.
Roe also reviewed the Otter O&M fund and the elections fund cash balances, and he explained that many election expenses occur at the end of the year, which affects year‑to‑date comparisons. The board asked to follow up on association deliverables and subscription value across elected offices.
