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Thurston County officials wrapped up two days of strategy sessions on September 4, 2026“County Officials and Staff Work to Protect Core Services and Balance Budget September 4, 2026 CONTACT: Susan Melnyk, Chief Communications Manager, (360) 867-2097 or [email protected] County Officials and Staff Work to Protect Core Services and Balance BudgetThe County’s three-year budget plan is designed to limit impacts from reductions. OLYMPIA – Thurston County officials yesterday wrapped up two days of strategy sessions outlining possible service impacts from a second year of budget reductions.” - ✓
Thurston County officials outlined potential service impacts from a $5.5 million budget cut for 2027“The County government is navigating a $5.5 million dollar spending cut for 2027 and working to spread it strategically across its offices and departments while complying with state mandates and federal constitutional requirements.”
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Thurston County is implementing a three-year plan to address a $23.3 million gap between projected expenses and revenues for 2027-2029“The County’s three-year budget plan is designed to limit impacts from reductions. OLYMPIA – Thurston County officials yesterday wrapped up two days of strategy sessions outlining possible service impacts from a second year of budget reductions. The County government is navigating a $5.5 million dollar spending cut for 2027 and working to spread it strategically across its offices and departments while complying with state mandates and federal constitutional requirements. The reductions are part of a three-year budget plan the County shared with the community during its June 3 Work Session to close a gap between projected expenses and revenues for 2027 through 2029 of $23.3 million.”
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The plan includes spreading $15 million in reduced spending over three years“The plan calls for dividing about $15 million in reduced spending over three years to lessen impacts on community services, and factors in about $8.3 million in anticipated reversions – that is the return of any unspent budget dollars back to the General Fund - and relies on hopeful revenue projections.”
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The plan includes $8.3 million in anticipated budget reversions“The plan calls for dividing about $15 million in reduced spending over three years to lessen impacts on community services, and factors in about $8.3 million in anticipated reversions – that is the return of any unspent budget dollars back to the General Fund - and relies on hopeful revenue projections.”
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County departments presented scenarios showing cuts could affect Code Compliance“During Wednesday’s presentations, the County’s Director of Community Planning & Economic Development Ashley Arai projected a major reduction for the Code Compliance Division which could leave all but the most egregious large-scale unpermitted construction and environmental code violation complaints unaddressed.”
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Code Compliance scenarios showed leaving most complaints unaddressed“During Wednesday’s presentations, the County’s Director of Community Planning & Economic Development Ashley Arai projected a major reduction for the Code Compliance Division which could leave all but the most egregious large-scale unpermitted construction and environmental code violation complaints unaddressed.”
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County departments presented scenarios showing cuts could affect road maintenance“During Wednesday’s presentations, the County’s Director of Community Planning & Economic Development Ashley Arai projected a major reduction for the Code Compliance Division which could leave all but the most egregious large-scale unpermitted construction and environmental code violation complaints unaddressed. In Thursday’s presentations, the County’s Public Works Director Karen Weiss said budget cuts to the road fund could impact road maintenance, leading to more costly repaving in future years, and could put road project grants from state and federal funders out of reach if the County can’t come up with matching funds necessary to apply.”
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Road maintenance scenarios showed leading to costlier repairs later“Budget cuts to the road fund could impact road maintenance, leading to more costly repaving in future years, and could put road project grants from state and federal funders out of reach if the County can’t come up with matching funds necessary to apply.”
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County departments presented scenarios showing cuts could affect Sheriff’s Office staffing“Sheriff Derek Sanders said cuts to the Sheriff’s Office and Corrections would likely impact staffing.”
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Public Defense Director Patrick O’Connor noted cuts would conflict with constitutional mandates“The County’s Public Defense Director Patrick O’Connor reminded the Board that cuts to public defense directly clash with constitutional mandates and Washington’s Supreme Court standard requiring lower caseloads for public defenders.”
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Constitutional mandates require lower caseloads for public defenders“The County’s Public Defense Director Patrick O’Connor reminded the Board that cuts to public defense directly clash with constitutional mandates and Washington’s Supreme Court standard requiring lower caseloads for public defenders.”
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County officials face strict revenue limits“State law caps annual growth on regular property tax levies for counties and municipalities at just one percent.”
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State law caps property tax increases at 1% for counties“State law caps annual growth on regular property tax levies for counties and municipalities at just one percent.”
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Gas, service, and utility costs rise“The County faces rising gas, service, and utility costs alongside its residents, with strict limitations imposed on revenue options by Washington state.”
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The County Board will determine annual budget appropriations from the General Fund“The County’s Board is responsible for determining annual budget appropriations from its General Fund for each elected office and department, while officials and appointed department directors maintain operational oversight determining staff levels, service counter hours and other details of daily functions.”
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Thurston County serves 310,000 residents“From running state and federal elections and assessing regional taxes to managing state courts, public defense and regional public health, Thurston County provides essential infrastructure for 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.”
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Thurston County serves 770 square miles“From running state and federal elections and assessing regional taxes to managing state courts, public defense and regional public health, Thurston County provides essential infrastructure for 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.”
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Thurston County manages critical services like elections“From running state and federal elections and assessing regional taxes to managing state courts, public defense and regional public health, Thurston County provides essential infrastructure for 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.”
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Thurston County manages critical services like public defense“From running state and federal elections and assessing regional taxes to managing state courts, public defense and regional public health, Thurston County provides essential infrastructure for 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.”
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Thurston County manages critical services like regional health“From running state and federal elections and assessing regional taxes to managing state courts, public defense and regional public health, Thurston County provides essential infrastructure for 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.”
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Officials say the budget strategy aims to protect core services“County Officials and Staff Work to Protect Core Services and Balance BudgetThe County’s three-year budget plan is designed to limit impacts from reductions.”
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Officials say the budget strategy aims to comply with state mandates“The County government is navigating a $5.5 million dollar spending cut for 2027 and working to spread it strategically across its offices and departments while complying with state mandates and federal constitutional requirements.”
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Officials say the budget strategy aims to comply with federal requirements“The County government is navigating a $5.5 million dollar spending cut for 2027 and working to spread it strategically across its offices and departments while complying with state mandates and federal constitutional requirements.”