Submitted by Thurston County
Thurston County Commissioners announced today that funding resources have been identified and allocated to support the reopening of public-facing counter service within the County Clerk’s Office on a part-time basis.
The public service counters at the Thurston County Clerk’s Office were closed in January of this year after county-wide budget reductions were implemented to address the growing structural gap between rising costs and revenue. In an effort to restore these direct community services, the Board adjusted current budget allocations to fund front-line public counter services on a part-time basis. This internal budget shift ensures existing resources directly support the community without increasing the overall budget.
While specific operational plans, staffing adjustments and possible dates of resumption remain under internal review, the Board is expected to vote June 2 on a budget amendment which, if adopted, will make these funds immediately available to the Clerk’s Office for counter support.
“The Board remains focused on finding budgetary solutions that restore vital in-person services to our residents –if on a modified or incremental basis,” said Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Tye Menser. “We recognize that implementing these changes requires working through operational and administrative details, but the necessary funding framework is now in place and ready to support this service priority.”
Counter services were previously available at both the Thurston County Courthouse location in Olympia on Lakeridge Drive SW and at the Family & Juvenile Court on 32nd Avenue in Tumwater. These roles helped community members navigate complex court processes and fill out legal forms — a service the Board and community members have described as vital to the office.
In 2025, the County faced significant budget constraints driven by a combination of factors — reduced state and federal funding, unfunded mandates, flattening tax revenues, and rising costs of essential services. The County launched 2026 with a plan to balance its budget over the next two years, and a close watch on the state’s economic situation. Governor Bob Ferguson and the Office of Financial Management recently projected a $2.3 billion-dollar immediate shortfall and a $4.3 billion longer-term gap. These state-level shortfalls add heavy budget pressure to the County which is constitutionally and statutorily required to provide local courts, public health and voting services whether or not state funding covers them.
Officials say the County is stretching budgets through efficiencies, funding partnerships and operational realignments. “Our Board is helping County leaders navigate budgetary challenges by rethinking operations, cultivating funding partnerships and keeping the focus where it belongs: on protecting services our community relies on,” said Thurston County Manager Leonard Hernandez. “At the same time, our award-winning teams of budget and financial professionals — the Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer and Commissioners Budget Office— are collaborating closely to stabilize our budget today and safeguard our County’s fiscal health into the future.”
The Clerk’s Office counter services are currently closed to the public. Public terminals are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for document viewing, and online services are available at the Thurston County website.
