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Thurston County board hears April budget update, votes to require monthly financial plans from departments
Summary
Budget staff presented April projections showing a persistent multi-million-dollar general-fund deficit; after discussion the board unanimously directed all appointed directors and elected officials to submit monthly financial plans for all funds to the Budget Office effective immediately.
Thurston County officials on April 29 received an April budget update that reiterated a structural general-fund deficit and presented two year-end scenarios; the board voted unanimously to require monthly financial plans from departments and elected offices.
Budget and Finance Manager Summer Miller told commissioners the county's adopted 2026 budget still contains a $12 million deficit despite earlier one-time measures that reduced a projected $36 million gap. Miller presented two scenarios: one based on current staff estimates and assumptions (Scenario 1) and one that adds Amendment 1 requests without reversion (Scenario 2). Scenario 1 projected an ending general-fund balance of about $15.4 million; Scenario 2 projected about $8.6 million.
Miller warned that projections do not include reversion and urged the board not to rely on one-time reversions as a structural solution. The county currently holds about $4 million in its budget-stabilization reserve; Miller said the board's resolution requires strict conditions before those funds may be accessed, including non-debatable emergencies under RCW 36.41.080, adverse legislative actions exceeding $500,000, or a general-fund balance below $10 million.
Commissioners asked for clearer documentation of assumptions and drivers behind Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 (services, salaries and benefits, supplies). Commissioner Grant and others asked staff to send a written breakdown of what is included in each scenario. Miller said additional booked internal-service rates and more months of actuals will help refine estimates.
After the presentation Commissioner Carolina Mejia moved to direct all appointed directors and elected officials to submit monthly financial plans, including spending projections and assumptions, for all funds managed by their office effective immediately; the board seconded the motion and approved it unanimously.
Miller noted the county will proceed through the scheduled Amendment 1 adoption timeline, with first review and discussion in early May and final consideration in June. Staff said they will return to the board next week with a deeper review of Amendment 1 submissions and additional detail on assumptions.
