Thurston County commissioners will not get raises in 2026. Here’s why
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Thurston County works to close 2026 budget deficit
Thurston County commissioners are deciding how to close an estimated $36 million budget gap in the general fund, the county’s primary operating fund, for 2026.
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Thurston County commissioners will not get an increase in salary next year in light of the county’s ongoing financial troubles.
The county’s Citizen’s Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, a volunteer advisory group, voted Monday to keep county commissioner salaries the same in 2026.
The salary commission made their decision about six months after the Board of County Commissioners asked them to not approve raises for them. The county commission made the request in an April 29 letter amid concerns about a shortfall in the general fund, the county’s primary operating budget. Since then, the board has made a series of decisions to cut the deficit and balance the budget.
“We started 2025 facing a $36 million gap between 2026 revenues and expenses,” Commissioner and Board Chair Tye Menser said in a Tuesday news release. “Thanks to tough decisions and hard work by officials, directors and staff, that’s now down to $9.8 million. That means more money for services and less impact to the community.”
The board approved a preliminary 2026-2027 budget last Wednesday and directed staff to build a final budget for the board to vote on Dec. 16.
Though the deficit has been reduced, the remaining gap will still result in cuts to positions and services across the county.
The five-member county commission cannot decide their own salaries; however, they do hold power over the salaries of other elected officials and department heads.
In 2025, the salary commission set county commissioner salaries at $12,328 month, or $147,936 a year, which represented a 6% increase over their 2024 salary.
The April 29 letter factored into the salary commission’s decision to forgo raises for the county commission in 2026, according to the news release.
The salary commission also recommended no increases for elected Thurston County officials in 2026. That includes the assessor, auditor, clerk, coroner, sheriff, treasurer and Prosecuting Attorney.
The county commission requested the salary commission not recommend raises for these elected officials in their April 29 letter as well.
Susan Melnyk, the county’s chief communication manager, said the board accepted the salary commission’s recommendation and the affected officials have been informed by the county’s Human Resources lead.
In 2025, the citizen’s commission recommended salary increases for elected officials ranging from 6% to 9%. However, the county commission ultimately granted them a 6% increase, The Olympian previously reported.
Melnyk said department heads are eligible for merit increases based on individual performance in the prior year. These raises will be determined by an individual’s direct supervisor.
Cost-of-living wage increases for non-represented employees is still under discussion, Melnyk said. The county will share more details about that before the budget is finalized, she added.
This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM.
