Skagit County approves first‑quarter 2026 budget amendments, including $1.5M for behavioral health contracts

Tricia Loeb, budget staff, presented the county’s first‑quarter 2026 budget amendments and walked commissioners through changes across multiple funds. She said the package includes $11,066 in grant funding for court administration to expand a part‑time position to full time and roughly $36,000 for a pro tem judicial officer to cover a leave. Public health adjustments include a food protection manager training program and staffing changes from position eliminations.

Loeb said mental health and developmental disability accounts include a $1,500,000 increase to appropriate contracts funded by the county’s one‑tenth cent behavioral health sales tax, following the commissioners’ earlier adoption of a contractor list. Planning and Development Services received a $770,000 Department of Commerce grant for clean energy siting and planning; the department expects to spend roughly $607,000 in 2026 on contracts and staff time.

Other items included lake management district corrections, carryovers for facility improvement projects (Star Center ~$277,000; courthouse restroom/courtroom mods ~$27,000) and $45,000 for unanticipated compactor repairs in solid waste. Loeb noted a clearing fund for Department of Ecology water‑quality loans and the county’s investment earnings in that fund.

Commissioner Browning called out the small net impact to the general fund and thanked staff. Commissioners asked whether positions were grant‑funded; staff confirmed grant coverage where applicable. Commissioner Burns praised the limited draw on the general fund and the department presentations from the recent work session.

Commissioner Browning moved to approve the budget amendments; a second was given and the board approved the amendments on a voice vote.