Thurston County budget team warns of multi‑million structural shortfall; proposes quarterly monitoring and containment planning

Thurston County budget staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 26 that recent state revenue volatility and local receipt patterns have increased the risk of a recurring structural deficit and that staff will present quarterly updates and containment options before building the 2026–2027 biennial budget.

The budget office’s presentation, led by Summer Miller, budget manager, showed that Washington state’s general fund revenue forecast shifted by roughly $400 million between late fall 2024 forecasts and later revisions. Miller said November 2024 collections were about 1.3% lower than forecast (just under $78 million), December was about 1% lower (about $47 million), and January 2025 reversed that trend with receipts about 2.6% higher than forecast (about $61 million). The department said those month‑to‑month swings underline a need for more frequent monitoring.

County staff ran multiple forecast…