Jordan Bogie, senior policy analyst supporting the County Council and county manager’s office, told the Clark County School Advisory Council that the council adopted its 2026 budget last week but faces a “long term structural deficit.” He said roughly three-quarters of county spending goes to personnel and about 70% of the general fund supports criminal-justice functions including the sheriff’s office, courts and indigent defense.

Bogie said the council is considering an optional criminal-justice sales tax next year tied to changes in state law (House Bill 2015), and that the county will work with its legislative delegation to “play defense” in the short session. He warned that new Supreme Court caseload standards for public defenders will sharply increase local costs: “it will result in about three times as many public defenders needed,” he said, estimating public-defense costs could rise from roughly $7–8 million per year to an estimated $27–30 million annually depending on implementation.

On homelessness, Bogie said the county made a significant contribution to a large shelter project near Vancouver Mall that officials expect will add about 120 beds and help transitions into permanent housing. He also described a moratorium the council has put in place in unincorporated county areas to pause redevelopment of mobile-home parks while staff develop longer-term regulations to preserve parks where many seniors live.

Bogie identified a long-term jail project as another priority and said the county will seek state capital support: the current jail dates to 1985 and has not kept pace with population growth or with the treatment needs of people with serious mental-health and substance-use disorders.

Bogie said the county is coordinating with cities on annexation issues, and is monitoring state actions that provide recording-fee backfills and housing-trust funding for local homelessness services. He said public-health staff are also working with hospitals and other jurisdictions to improve access to prenatal care for Medicaid patients.

The council plans to continue discussions with its delegation, the Association of Counties and local partners about funding strategies and potential state support in the upcoming legislative session.