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Walla Walla County commissioners press state for more indigent defense funding
Summary
The board approved a letter to state legislators urging action this session to increase state funding for indigent defense, citing that counties currently shoulder about 96.78% of trial court public defense costs and that Walla Walla County spent $1.3 million on indigent defense in 2024.
Vice Chair Clayton and Commissioner Fulmer approved a letter on Feb. 17 urging state lawmakers to provide substantial additional funding to counties for indigent defense services.
Clayton read the board's letter into the record, stating: "Under the current funding structure, Washington counties pay approximately 96.78% of trial court public defense services. The remaining 3.2% is state funded." The letter also notes that "2024 Walla Walla County paid $1,300,000 from its general operating fund for indigent defense services" and that recent Washington Supreme Court standards will sharply increase costs for counties over the next decade.
Commissioner Fulmer said he supported the letter and related outreach to legislators. "I support that 100%," Fulmer said, and described ongoing conversations with legislators including Senator Dozier and Representative Clicker.
The board moved to execute the letter; Commissioner Fulmer made the motion and Vice Chair Clayton seconded. The motion carried 2–0. The letter will be signed by both commissioners present and sent to Senator Dozier, Representative Rood, Representative Clicker and carbon‑copied to the governor's office.
Why it matters: The county framed the request as a response to a structural funding gap that shifts nearly all trial‑level public defense costs to counties. The board's letter warns that meeting the new indigent case standards could increase county costs two to three times over the next decade, and urges the legislature to act in the current session to mitigate the projected impact.
Next steps: The county will transmit the signed letter to the named legislators and the governor's office and commissioners indicated they will continue discussions with legislative offices.
