San Juan County publishes the ‘Budget in Brief’ to summarize the 2026 budget

Rich with graphics, photos, and reduction and expenditure highlights, the Budget in Brief provides an overview of the County’s complex funds.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

San Juan County is pleased to publish the 2026 Budget in Brief, posted in tandem with the full 2026 budget book. Rich with graphics, photos, and reduction and expenditure highlights, the Budget in Brief provides an overview of the County’s complex and numerous funds, as well as the key initiatives and community services funded by the budget.  

“A combination of challenges at the Federal, State, and local levels led to difficult decisions about how to continue supporting baseline and mandated services while trimming away discretionary costs,” said County Manager Jessica Hudson. “For 2026, the County decreased its Current Expense fund budget by $2.3 million and continues to engage in more intense budget work to identify additional savings and review revenue streams.” 

About the 2026 Budget

The County Council reduced the originally projected $6.6M deficit in the 2026–27 status quo biennial budget (which could have been up to $10M if all new spending had been approved) via a series of 14 meetings during the summer and fall. After a series of strategic cuts, the 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 2026 adopted budget includes cuts to staffing (about $1.1M) and to department operating expenses, including $330k from public health, $338K from public safety, and $338K from Parks & Fair, among other reductions.  

Budget in Brief

The 11-page Budget in Brief is divided into six major topics that guide readers through the budget process and highlight themes throughout the 360+ page full County budget:  

• Financial Overview:areviewof the County’s total revenues and expenses
• County Funds:understandingthe 33 different funds that make up the County budget and how they support key programslikeaffordablehousing,County roads, andthe Land Bank
• Current Expense / General Fund:an overview ofwhat departments/ programs are funded via the County’s largest fund, including public safety and court services, financial services and community development, healthservicesand Council, and more
• How Did We Get Here:atimeline of budgetdiscussions and a review of external pressures on the budget, includingincreasing operating costs, State and Federal funding cuts, stagnated revenues, and new unfunded mandates.
• How Did We Balance the 2026 Budget:a list ofapproximately $1.7 million inbudget cuts fromthe General Budget/ Current Expense fundthat supportvarious Countyservices,including public health, public safety, andenvironmental services.
• Funding Priorities:a list of key projects and services the 2026 budget continues to fund, including affordable housing, transportation infrastructure,Land Bank preserve maintenance, and more.

“This 2026 Budget highlights the programs and services that are key to islanders, said Hudson. “Many thanks to our staff for their continued dedication to the work of local government on behalf of our community.” 

Read the full Budget in Brief here, or on the County’s budget webpage (sanjuancountywa.gov/2030/San-Juan-County-Budget).