County executive outlines phased Justice Fund investments, effective July 1

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello told attendees at the April 2 District 7 council meeting that the Pierce County Justice Fund, approved by the council in March, takes effect on July 1 and will direct an initial phase of investments to technology, recruitment incentives and other operational needs before shifting the majority of funds to staffing in later years.

“We will be investing those dollars in everything from things like recruitment incentives to make sure that we can keep recruiting sheriff's deputies and jail guards, corrections deputies,” Mello said, describing the first 18 months as a period for purchasing systems and other improvements and noting that “starting in year 3, the vast majority of their resources go into staffing.”

Mello said the Justice Fund reflects a recognition that more than three‑quarters of the county general fund is spent on public safety and that expenses are rising while revenues remain flat. He said the first phase will include upgrades to long‑dated software used by prosecutors, public defenders and courts and that later phases will focus on sustaining and growing staff across the justice system.

Mello also directed residents to handouts and online materials with more detail and said staff would follow up with the council and the public as the county moves into the implementation phase.

No formal vote or ordinance to implement program details took place at the meeting; Mello said the council’s March decision created the dedicated fund and described the administration’s plan for allocating the funds in stages.