Balancing the Budget
To our community,
The financial challenge facing Thurston County is significant, but our commitment to serving you in unwavering. Like most families, business and governments, we are committed to living within our means. The economic reality is simple: we can’t spend money we don’t have, and the current economic strain is real.
Facing an unprecedented $36 million funding gap for 2026, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners took immediate and responsible action. We worked collaboratively across all departments and offices to implement deep cost reductions, operational savings and defer projects. These efforts successfully narrowed the deficit to $9.8 million.
Planning remains difficult due to uncertain economic factors like flattening revenues and rising costs which make forecasting a moving target. No one wants to reduce services, but everyone – including the taxpayers who fund these services – want us to be responsible stewards of the money they provide.
We are actively working with the state legislators to find lasting, structural solutions to the essential services our community relies on.
We appreciate your patience and partnership as we navigate these uncertainties together.
Statement to the Community about the Proposed Thurston County Budget
Understanding Your County Budget
Thurston County is required to balance its budget to forecasted revenues each year (Resolution 15932). The County's budget development process is shared in public meetings and work sessions throughout the year, culminating in several months of detailed presentations and discussions that are open to the public.
For specific information, please explore these pages:
2026-2027 Preliminary Biennial Budget Book
2025 Budget Presentations
Videos of Board meetings about the County's 2026 budget and presentations from these meetings are linked below, where available.
2024
Oct 14 Video
2025
Feb 26 Presentation
May 13 Presentation | Video
Jun 11 Presentation | Video
Jul 22 Presentation
Aug 6 Presentation | Video
Aug 13 Presentation | Video
Aug 27 Presentation | Video
Sep 3 Video
Sept 17 Budget Reduction Exercise Presentations
Oct 7 Presentation | Video
Oct 15 Video
Oct 22 Video
Oct 29 Video
Nov 6 Video
Nov 12 Video
Dec 1 Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Dec 2 Video and Video
Dec 3 Video
Dec 9 Video
Dec 10 Video
Dec 16 Video and Video
County Meetings
Upcoming Meetings and Agendas
Watch past recorded County Meetings and Presentations
View all Recent Meetings
Get to Know Your Thurston County Commissioners
Find your district: PDF map | Interactive map
Budget In the News
November 19, 2025
Budget Update from Thurston County
October 29, 2025
Thurston County commissioners’ request to forgo raises in 2026 approved
October 20, 2025
Thurston County Commissioners reduce cuts departments will make to close budget gap
October 14, 2025
Thurston County commissioners approve 2026-27 budget targets to shrink $36M deficit
October 13, 2025
Thurston County commissioners reduce cuts departments will make to close budget gap
October 9, 2025
Thurston County commissioners work to reduce deficit, determine reductions as budget talks continue
September 18, 2025
Thurston County Leads Cost-Cutting Exercises, Explores Solutions
September 17, 2025
Flat revenue projections push Thurston County to narrow its Treatment Sales Tax spending
May 23, 2025
Thurston County Commissioners discuss options to combat potential budget shortfall
March 31, 2025
Thurston County Board of County Commissioners seeks pay freeze Move comes amid $12-14M budget shortfall
March 4, 2025
Thurston County finance manager presents gloomy budget forecast
December 3, 2024
Thurston County faces budget cuts amid calls for transparency, public input
December 14, 2022
Thurston County plans to spend more money than it collects in 2023. Here’s why
How to Get Involved
- Attend Meetings
- 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.
- Connect with us on Facebook.
How Public Comment Works
For in-person or virtual meetings where public comment is accepted.
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Sign up to comment
Sign up online if attending virtually or with the signup sheet in the room. Written comment can also be submitted up to 2 hours before each meeting.
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Wait until your name is called
Head up to the podium to speak, or if online, unmute yourself when your name is called and begin speaking.
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The Board Chair will set a time limit for each comment
Time limit is based on the number of people who have registered to speak, usually 1 - 3 minutes.
Please note that the Board doesn't usually respond to comments during the meeting, per Washington State guidance.
Learn more about Washington's Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30 on the Washington State Legislature website.