Okanogan County approves 2026 current-expense and road levies, certifies collections

The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 8 approved resolutions authorizing collection of the county's 2026 current-expense and road levies, each including the one percent increase allowed under state law.

During a public hearing on the 2026 budget and levy certifications, county staff presented levy figures and explained the certifications include an allowance for new construction and state utility assessments. No members of the public offered comments during the hearing. "This first one, resolution 140-25 authorizes current expense...," a commissioner said during the staff report.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to approve the resolution authorizing the 2026 current-expense levy collection and certify the levy at the amount stated in the resolution; another commissioner seconded the motion. "All in favor?" the chair asked; commissioners answered "Aye," and the motion carried by voice vote. The board then moved and approved certification of the 2026 road levy by the same procedure.

County staff said the certified amounts account for prior assessed value and a modest allowance for state utilities and new construction; the staff presentation noted that final assessed-value inputs from the Department of Revenue are hand-entered into the county's system and that figures can be adjusted within statutory deadlines.

The commission closed the hearing and continued other, smaller district hearings to allow staff time to compute district-specific levy-dollar figures where votes on new levies were required.

The resolutions establishing the county's levy certifications were approved by voice vote and will be submitted to the county treasurer for collection in 2026.