Balancing the Budget
Updated October 9, 2026
To our community,
The economic realities facing Thurston County from budget cuts at the state and federal level means – as a community – we will be paying for many state and federal mandates with our local tax dollars. See this County news release outlining the 2027 budget plan.
Unlike cities, county governments – including Thurston County - act as an administrative extension of the state by delivering services essential to a functional democracy.
- We run state and federal elections at the local level, including providing voting services to active-duty military who live here but are stationed around the globe.
- We assess and collect regional taxes – not only for the county - but also for school and fire districts here, too.
- We manage state courts, provide public defense as required in the U.S. constitution, and carry out regional public health services – and we do it at scale for the 310,000 people across more than 770 square miles.
We used to receive significant funding from the state and federal government, but every year funds shrink or dry up. Cuts from these sources for 2026 and 2027 are significant.
Regardless, our commitment to fulfilling these vital duties in our community is unwavering. Just like last year, we will continue to reduce non-essential spending. We will keep improving efficiencies through consolidation. We will delay scheduled updates, renewals and replacements. We will also continue working with our state legislators to find long-term solutions to ongoing structural funding issues.
Structural deficits are a real funding problem faced by communities like ours throughout the country. Learn more from Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC), and from National Association of Counties (NACo) about the local cost of federal cuts.
We are continuing to plan thoughtfully, budget cautiously, and partner with our representatives in the state legislature for support with long-term funding solutions.
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
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. See the budget calendar and join us at the Atrium or watch on the County's YouTube channel to see the detailed budget presentations, discussions and Public Hearing currently scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2026 - all 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:
2026
View the schedule and agendas for upcoming meetings here.
October 10: 2026/2027 Biennial Budget Midterm Adjustment requests | Oct 10 Budget Presentation
Sept 9: 2026/27 Midterm Budget Deliberations and Sales Tax Review presentation
Sept 3: Day 2 of Budget Reduction Exercise - Part 1 | Part 2 | Sept 3 Presentations
Sept 2: Day 1 of Budget Reduction Exercise - Part 1 | Part 2 | Sept 2 Presentations
July 29: 2026/27 Biennial Budget Special Amendment 2: First and Final Preliminary Review | Presentation
June 23: 2026/27 Mid-term Adjustments and Special Amendment 1
June 3: (Rescheduled from May 27): Budget Discussion Video | June 3 Presentation
May 18: State of the Budget - Presented to Salary Commission | Board's Letter to the Salary Commission
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
September 30, 2026
Thurston County proposes use of rainy day fund and outside funding to reduce impacts of budget cuts for 2027
September 29, 2026
Elected Officials Unite to Preserve Community Services
September 5, 2026
How will Thurston Co. cut $5.5 million? ‘We are running on razor-thin staffing.’
September 4, 2026
Thurston County anticipates making $5.5 million more in spending cuts for 2027
September 4, 2026
County Officials and Staff Work to Protect Core Services and Balance Budget
May 20, 2026
Commissioners Identify Funding to Reopen Public Counter Services at County Clerk’s Office
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 18, 2025
Statement to the Community about the Proposed Thurston County Budget
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.
- Connect with us on Facebook.
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.
Click for Upcoming Meeting Schedule and Agendas
Watch past recorded County Meetings and Presentations
View all Recent Meetings