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. For details on how counties (including Thurston) across Washington State are managing their budget shortfalls, please review the 2026 County Fiscal Health Survey Results from Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

We appreciate your patience and partnership as we navigate these uncertainties together.

May 12, 2026 - Commissioners 2027 Pay Freeze Letter | April 9, 2025 - Commissioners 2026 Pay Freeze Letter

November 18, 2025 - 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.

Learn more about the challenges counties across Washington State are facing with
2026 County Fiscal Health Survey Results from Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

For specific details about Thurston County's budget, please explore these pages:

Budget Office

Biennial Budget

2026-2027 Preliminary Biennial Budget Book

Meetings where the county's budget are discussed are included below. To view the schedule and agendas for upcoming meetings, click here.

2026

Next budget presentation: May 27 (View the schedule and agendas for upcoming meetings here.)

May 13: 2026-2027 Budget Amendment 1, 2nd Review Video | May 13 Presentation

May 6: 2026-2027 Budget Amendment 1, 1st Review Video | May 6 Presentation

April 29: April Budget Update Video | April 29 Presentation

April 21: Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Budget Update Video | April 21 Presentation

March 18: March Budget Update Video | March 18 Presentation

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
Sept 30 Video and Video
Oct 7   Presentation | Video
Oct 15 Video
Oct 22   Video
Oct 29 Video
Nov 5   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

May 12, 2026

Thurston County commissioners ask to freeze pay for a second year amid budget crisis

March 4, 2026
2026 County Fiscal Health Survey Results from Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC)

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

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.
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For in-person or virtual meetings where public comment is accepted.

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.
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.
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.