The Board of Commissioners approved a package of resolutions including the six‑year transportation plan, the 2026 annual construction program and fixed asset purchases, a five‑year capital plan, fee schedule revisions, water/sewer rate increases, dissolution of a CMH fund, and the county's 2026–27 biannual budget.

Facing a projected shortfall in 2027, Cowlitz County commissioners discussed across-the-board reductions, a potential one-year budget and deferring a $1 million capital transfer to protect reserves; commissioners warned personnel will likely be affected and options are limited.

Finance Director Cathy Funk Baxter presented a fourth‑quarter budget amendment package that would increase general‑fund balance by about $346,000, dissolve a historic tourism reserve and move roughly $915,333 into the tourism fund, create a sheriff equipment & technology fund seeded with multiple transfers (~$932,000), and adjust multiple program‑,

Boundary Review Board remains under budget while preparing for land use code changes.

City officials report spending remains under budget amid changing inmate demographics.

Cowlitz County expects a budget deficit reduction aided by new mortgage legislation.