Applying for these new funding sources is just one of several ways the County is continuing to manage budget shortfalls in 2026 and 2027
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
As San Juan County continues to manage budget constraints in 2026 and 2027, pursuing new State grants and congressional funding are key tools to help maintain public services and infrastructure.
This spring, the County is seeking grant funding from a new source – a Local Law Enforcement Grant Program administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Additionally, the Council is applying for two congressional earmark funding packages to support marine infrastructure projects at the Orcas Landing and Hunter Bay on Lopez Island.
Public Safety Grant Program
Funded via a new Supplemental Criminal Justice Account, the program allocates $100 million across the 2025–2027 biennium to help counties, cities, and tribes hire, retain, and train law enforcement officers, peer counselors, and behavioral health personnel to support co-response initiatives, community policing, and crisis intervention efforts. Funding can also be used to support broader law enforcement and public safety efforts, including emergency management planning, environmental hazard mitigation, security personnel, community outreach and assistance programs, alternative response programs, and mental health crisis response.
“We desperately need the grant funds because our budget, as it is, falls short of funding what we need to operate well, such as hiring deputies,” said Sheriff Eric Peter. “We see these grant dollars as an important step to proactively prioritizing public safety.”
The County has submitted an ask for about $560,000 to specifically support the training and hiring of new deputies.
Congressional Funding for Marine Infrastructure
The County applied for two congressional earmarks to fund repairs for the Orcas Landing Marine Facility on Orcas Island ($4 million) and the Hunter Bay Marine Facility on Lopez Island ($1.5 million). These projects are essential for economic activity, public safety, and environmental resilience, but are beyond the scope of the County’s Road Fund. By applying for an earmark, the County can pursue federal investment that supports infrastructure that keeps island communities connected and prepared for emergencies.
With federal support, the County hopes to modernize aging marine facilities, address climate‑driven vulnerabilities, and reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.
County Budget
Applying for these new funding sources is just one of several ways the County is continuing to manage budget shortfalls in 2026 and 2027. To learn more about the County’s budget, including access to the budget book, visit: https://sanjuancountywa.gov/
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