Thurston County weighs multiple revenue options; commissioners direct staff to explore levy lid lift and public‑safety sales tax

Thurston County budget and finance staff on Aug. 6 presented a menu of potential revenue options to help close projected budget gaps, including councilmanic options and voter‑approved measures. The board asked staff to provide more analysis and agreed to move forward with exploratory work on two priorities: a general‑fund levy lid lift and House Bill 2015 (a public-safety sales tax option), while keeping other councilmanic options under consideration.

Summer Miller, budget and finance manager, led the presentation and reviewed each option’s statutory limits, estimated revenue ranges and timing considerations. Staff emphasized the estimates are preliminary and are being refined as additional research and legal review continue.

Highlights of revenue options discussed (all figures presented by staff as estimates)

- Gambling tax (pull tabs, punch boards): Councilmanic option for unincorporated areas; estimated annual revenue roughly $630,000–$660,000; revenue must be used for public safety.

- Transportation Benefit District (TBD) sales tax (councilmanic, 0.1%): If established countywide, estimated annual revenue roughly…