Cowlitz County budget presentation shows multimillion‑dollar shortfall for 2027

County staff presented the mid‑biennium preliminary numbers for 2027, showing a current submittal of $230,000,000 in expenditures and $201,300,000 in revenues across county funds. Focusing on the general fund, staff reported earlier approved biennium figures for 2027 of roughly $79.55 million in expenses and $69.31 million in revenues, leaving a structural deficit; after department requests and recommended reductions the remaining shortfall was reported in the transcript as approximately $5.9 million (staff noted continued work through workshops could reduce the gap further).

"The current submittal for 2027 is $230,000,000 of expenditures and $201,300,000 in revenues," the presenter said, adding that the Office of Financial Management recommendations reduce the general‑fund shortfall but that additional work is needed. Commissioners probed where prior reductions had been found (staff cited about $4.5 million of reductions carried forward into 2027) and discussed the tradeoffs of one‑time asset sales versus ongoing revenue. A member of the public urged examination of county properties and potential revenue from underused assets; staff said those conversations are ongoing but are considered largely one‑time solutions.

Staff will continue budget workshops each Monday to refine revenues and departmental requests; commissioners reserved detailed decisions for subsequent sessions.