Submitted by Thurston County
Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners heard budget-cut proposals from the county’s elected officials and department heads as part of an effort to slash spending and lay the groundwork for a significantly reduced 2026 budget.
Funding the implementation of new state and federal mandates has been a growing concern for Washington counties since early 2001 when the state legislature capped property tax increases at one percent per year. Thurston County’s general fund – the account that covers county operating expenses – gets around 8 percent of incoming property tax, and with inflation growing at a faster rate, local jurisdictions like the county perennially face budget shortfalls.
While budget pressures aren’t new, the county’s approach to addressing them is. With leadership from its newly expanded board, a new county executive team, and a strengthened approach to its budget, officials have taken a deeper look at both spending patterns and long-term funding sources. Their work revealed a structural deficit — a mismatch between the way counties are funded and the services they are required to provide.
Unlike federal or state agencies, Thurston County doesn’t make laws, it carries them out. In practice, that means state and federal mandates often arrive without the dollars needed to implement them.
County departments and offices across the board face budget strains from such unfunded mandates. And with close to 70 percent of the county’s general fund dedicated to its law and justice services, the remaining 30 percent supports all other elected offices and departments — further amplifying this legacy of unfunded state and federal mandates.
Many of the county’s essential programs — from health and social services to corrections and public defense — were originally mandated with state or federal funding which has since dried up.
Growing costs and expanding services are left to local funding, creating a substantial financial burden for the county. This shift means the county’s revenue streams struggle to keep up with the demands of a growing population and a rising cost of living.
Elected offices and departments across the county are working together to find solutions and meet the county’s own requirement to balance its budget to forecasted revenues (Resolution 15932).Officials are addressing this challenge by considering all available options to keep essential services fully funded. The ongoing budget-reduction exercises underscore the county’s collaborative cost-cutting efforts and commitment to living within its means.
Throughout the year, budget staff have been working to give the Board of County Commissioners better and faster visibility — acting as an early warning system, providing immediate insights and the ability to make iterative adjustments.
One recent purchase that won’t impact the county’s general fund is the county’s acquisition of a downtown property as the money will come from a previous bond that can only be used for county facilities and must be spent down by the end of October 2025 to avoid arbitrage. The purchase will make service delivery more efficient and accessible, remove the burden of lease payments from the general fund and provide the county with long-term assets.
The county’s commissioners say that although there are difficult decisions ahead, they’re looking to the future and are committed to an open and collaborative effort with the community to get there. All public board meetings and work sessions are listed in advance, with recordings available on the county’s website. Budget presentations are shared throughout the year and written and verbal public comments are encouraged. For additional information about the county’s general fund and budget development process, visit the Thurston County website.
How to Get Involved:
- In person verbal comments can be provided during Board of County Commissioner meetings at 3000 Pacific Ave SE, Room 110, Olympia, WA 98501 (unless noted).
- Virtual public comments are available via Zoom. A Zoom registration link is listed on meeting agendas. All virtual attendees will be given an opportunity to comment during the meeting.
- Written comments should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board (Amy Davis at amy.davis@co.thurston.wa.us) at least two hours before the meeting.
