County Council passes 2026 budget but prepares for ongoing financial discussions in 2027

The adopted budget includes cuts to staffing and other reductions across department operating expenses.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

During the December 9 meeting and public hearing, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2026 budget. This adopted budget includes cuts to staffing and other reductions across department operating expenses. Moving forward, the Council will engage in conversations about restructuring County services and departments, as well as evaluating other potential revenue changes.

The County will publish an Adopted Budget Book in the coming weeks, which will be available to the public on the Auditor’s website:   https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2030/San-Juan-County-Budget.

2025 Budget Process  

This fall, the County worked to reduce the originally projected $6.6M deficit in the 2026–27 status quo biennial budget. The deficit could have been even larger – up to $10M if all new spending had been approved. Council discussed the budget during 14 meetings this summer and fall – all of which were recorded and posted to the County website.

After robust deliberation and a series of strategic cuts, the deficit was reduced to $1.5M. At that point, Council determined that focusing on a one-year budget for 2026 would allow the organization to maintain some additional personnel and services while allowing more time to address changes for 2027 and beyond.

The Council opened the public hearing on December 1^st and continued the hearing to the 2^nd, and 9^th, where they welcomed feedback from the public before adopting the budget.

Review past meetings and updates: 

Past Updates:

• County Council Opts for One-Year Budget; Focuses on Adopting 2026 at December 9 Public Hearing

• County Cuts Budget Deficit by More Than Half; Still Seeks $2M in Strategic Service & Personnel Cuts
• How Does the New State Budget Impact San Juan County Funding & Programs? Council Reviews Highlights
  • Council Sets Priorities for 20206-27 Biennial Budget Amidst Funding Challenges  
  • Federal Shutdown Impacts on Local Public Health
  • Federal Shutdown Update: Supporting Food Access During the Shutdown

You can review the County’s budget process, past documents (including past budget books), quarterly reports, and more on the Auditor’s webpages here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2030/San-Juan-County-Budget.

Budget Questions? Contact: accounting@sanjuancountywa.gov