Thurston County commissioners make $148,000. Will they get a raise this year?
Thurston County commissioners do not want raises for themselves or any elected officials due to another budget shortfall.
The Board of County Commissioners outlined their position in a letter to the Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.
“As you are aware, Thurston County continues to face a significant and ongoing budget shortfall,” the letter states. “… These are difficult circumstances and the financial challenges ahead will require careful stewardship, collaboration and shared sacrifice across the organization.”
The board unanimously approved the letter on Tuesday. This is the second year in a row that the board has made this request. Last spring, the board cited concerns about a shortfall in the county’s general fund for 2026. By December, the board narrowed a $36 million deficit to about $9.8 million and cut budgets for various offices and departments to fill the remaining gap. Despite these efforts, the county is faced with another deficit for 2027.
Recent projections show an estimated $18.6-30.9 million deficit for 2027, county spokesperson Susan Melnyk shared with The Olympian. She said the number will become clearer after a budget amendment is adopted this summer.
The board approved a $1 billion 2026-2027 budget in a contentious vote in December, but the board may still approve amendments during the budget years.
County officials previously anticipated financial challenges to continue due to rising costs, unfunded mandates and limits on county revenue, Melnyk said.
For 2025, the citizen’s commission set county commissioner salaries at $12,328 a month, or $147,936 a year, which represented a 6% increase over their 2024 salary.
That same year, the citizens’ commission recommended salary increases for elected officials ranging from 6% to 9%. The county commissioners ultimately granted them a 6% increase, The Olympian previously reported.
The citizen’s commission is responsible for setting salaries for county commissioners and making salary recommendations for other elected officials, according to state law and county code. The board ultimately decides salaries for other elected officials.
“While we recognize the importance of maintaining fair and competitive compensation for elected officials, we believe this is a time for restraint and leadership by example,” the board’s letter reads. “Standing with our employees during a period of financial uncertainty sends an important message to both our workforce and the public we serve.”
The board’s priority is to stabilize the county’s finances and limit additional expenses wherever possible, the letter states.
“Deferring salary increases at this time is one step among many necessary actions to ensure responsible use of public resources and to preserve the stability of essential county services,” the letter states.
Sheriff Derek Sanders, who is running for reelection this year, made a similar request in a May 5 letter to the citizens’ commission, The Olympian previously reported.
“As the cost of living continues to sharply rise, my employees, neighbors and fellow community members are struggling to pay their energy bills,” Sanders wrote. “Receiving a pay increase as the executive of the Sheriff’s Office would be highly inappropriate at this time.”
The citizens’ commission is expected to convene Monday for its first meeting of the year.
“This is good timing to get this in before they start doing a lot of deliberation,” County Manager Leonard Hernandez told the board Tuesday. “The board has made it clear where they’re at.”
