The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners convened on September 26, 2025, to continue discussions on the 2026-2027 biennial budget, focusing on necessary reductions and adjustments. The meeting was a follow-up to previous budget deliberations, with the aim of addressing a significant projected deficit of $36 million.

During the session, the board reviewed strategies to alleviate the budget shortfall, which has been exacerbated by rising costs and minimal revenue growth. The county manager reported that recent actions had generated nearly $18 million in additional revenue, potentially reducing the deficit to approximately $19.5 million. The board agreed to allocate the first $10 million of this relief evenly across all departments to ease the financial burden.

The meeting emphasized the importance of thorough exploration of all potential revenue sources, with the county manager noting that the board had requested a detailed review of various options. A proposal was presented to prioritize funding based on discussions among commissioners, although no final decisions were made. The board plans to reconvene on Wednesday to further discuss the preliminary budget and finalize allocations.

Additionally, the budget and fiscal manager provided insights into the county's cultural access program tax, indicating that current legal interpretations may prevent its implementation without legislative changes. The board is actively seeking clarification on this matter to explore all avenues for addressing the budget deficit.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Thurston County in balancing its budget while ensuring essential services remain funded. The board's collaborative efforts and commitment to finding solutions were evident as they work towards a balanced budget in the coming weeks.