County staff present proposed 2026 internal rates; auditors flag 2027 true‑up pending TC Connect closeout

Thurston County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on July 16 about proposed 2026 internal service rates and the county cost allocation plan, outlining projected increases across central services, facilities, fleet, IT, human resources and risk insurance and noting a planned 2027 true‑up once year‑end accounting data is finalized.

Assistant County Manager Jennifer Walker introduced presentations from central services fiscal staff, facilities and fleet managers, IT director Sherry Ilg, Human Resources director Marie Conte and Risk and Safety manager Bridal Bishop. Central Services staff said the central services portfolio (records, mail, procurement, facilities maintenance and building reserves) is projected to increase roughly 13.1 percent overall from 2025 to 2026; building reserves were cited as increasing about 9 percent (including a 3 percent inflation adjustment and a new building addition), and facilities…