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Washington County board warns of state, federal revenue hits and tightens budget planning
Summary
Commissioners said they expect state revenue declines tied to recent federal tax changes and directed staff to prepare for tighter budgets, more communications and an ERP transition that may complicate next year’s budget cycle.
Washington County officials told residents and colleagues Thursday that a fresh state revenue forecast and federal tax changes will require stricter budget choices and clearer public messaging.
Chair Katherine Harrington, speaking at the board’s Aug. 14 roundtable, said the county’s finance team expects a significant state-level revenue reduction and that the board will need to set firmer priorities as it prepares fiscal-year 2026 work. “Iam going to have to get comfortable with saying no. We cant do x, y or z,” Harrington said, describing decisions the county may face if external revenues fall.
Harrington told commissioners she had been briefed by the state economist and staff that Oregon could see an estimated $22,000,000,000 decline over the next two years tied to federal tax changes, a development county leaders said will affect local service planning. County staff and commissioners said portions of county revenue tied to state shared-revenue programs such as SHS (self-help services referenced in meeting materials) are at risk, and that county leaders are already preparing contingency plans.
County Administrator Angie (identified at the meeting as the county administrator and budget officer) and Chief Financial Officer John Steyer described timing and process issues the board should expect. Staff said supplemental budgets typically arrive in September or October and that the board will see a paid presentation of revenue-option proposals on Oct. 7. Harrington and others emphasized the need for consistent public talking points: commissioners asked staff for succinct messaging the board can use in public remarks if new cuts further reduce services.
Commissioners also discussed the countys planned enterprise resource-planning (ERP) transition, scheduled to go live in December. Officials warned the first budget produced from the new system could produce "hiccups" as prior-year details are reconciled into the new chart of accounts. Staff described the current environment as a status quo while the transition is tested, and asked the board to expect some initial production challenges when the January supplemental and next fiscal-year documents are generated.
Several commissioners praised the clarity of this years budget presentations and the supporting materials, but asked staff to make a short, public-facing summary that explains what was cut, why and what service levels are now. Commissioner Jason Snyder described the adopted budget materials as “the most, well-done and robust” explanation hed seen in his budget experience and said a short brief for the public would help community understanding.
Staff said they would provide a one- or two-page budget brief and circulate the countys service-level assessment in advance of September roundtable discussions. The board asked staff to prepare options for communicating with the community and state legislators about the consequences of any sustained state or federal funding reductions.
Harrington and other commissioners said the county must prioritize and plan despite uncertainty, noting the county lacks ready fund sources to backfill large state or federal revenue losses.
Ending: Commissioners scheduled additional finance-focused roundtables in September and October to refine forecasts, probe revenue options and prepare talking points for public outreach and for meetings with state legislators. Staff and the board will also track ERP go-live progress and the timing of supplemental budgets that may affect county operations.
