A majority of the general fund, more than 76%, will go towards public safety, including the Sheriff’s Office, courts, juvenile services and other supportive services, according to the county. Other goals include building more affordable housing, expanding behavioral health and detox services, reducing crime, supporting the local job market and improving county roads and infrastructure.
The proposed budget includes cost-cutting measures like a county-wide hiring freeze except for key roles, limits on out-of-state travel and tighter job-vacancy savings, “which help avoid significant workforce reductions in the face of revenue uncertainties,” according to a county press release.
It’s anticipated to be adopted on Nov. 25.
In a message presenting the budget, Executive Ryan Mello said the county is working hard to prevent a future deficit, “as costs have outpaced revenue in recent years” and “expenses still exceed revenue growth.” Other economic uncertainties include the end of COVID-19 pandemic relief funding, federal budget cuts and grant losses or rescissions, limited revenue streams that aren’t keeping pace with costs, recent state laws “that are costly to implement” and state budget challenges, he said.
Two of the largest sources of revenue for the county are property and sales tax. Property taxes are capped at 1% annual increases. County projections show the county’s reserves will fall below recommended levels after 2029, Mello said.
“Without new, stable funding sources, the County will face difficult tradeoffs that could affect public safety, courts and essential services,” he wrote. “This budget reflects both optimism and realism — optimism about the investments that will make Pierce County safer, healthier and more connected, and realism about the fiscal challenges we must work together to solve.” Where would the money go?
The Sheriff’s Office would receive the single largest share of the $967.1 million General Fund (about 42% or $380 million). When combined with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Assigned Counsel, Juvenile and Superior Courts, District Court, Emergency Management and related services, more than 77% of the General Fund supports public safety and criminal-justice services, per the executive’s message.
Investments in the Sheriff’s Office would include filling 76 vacancies and continuing hiring initiatives, increasing compensation for SWAT and Swiftwater Rescue teams and funding design work for the aging county jail and the Remann Hall juvenile detention center, according to the budget.
The 2026-2027 budget for the Sheriff’s Office would increase 4.8%, or $11 million, over the 2024-2025 level.
“The budget provides funding for increased operational costs, including compensation, fleet services, Humane Society contract increases and overtime,” per the budget. “Four additional Deputy Sheriff positions are added to support contracted services with the City of University Place and funding is provided for marketing and recruiting services to fill vacancies.”
The 2026-2027 budget for the Sheriff’s Corrections would increase 9.8%, or $14.7 million, over the 2024-2025 level.
“The budget provides funding for increased operational costs within the jail, including compensation, inmate medical and pharmaceutical services and food services,” per the budget. “Funding is provided for marketing and recruiting services to fill vacant positions and to continue the Jail Confinement Alternative Program,” which provides electronic monitoring in lieu of incarceration in some misdemeanor cases.
The budget would also add 19 Assigned Counsel (public defender) positions to meet new caseload standards, in addition to two county attorneys and 17 continuing positions in the Prosecutor’s Office for tort claims, complex litigation and Supreme Court rulings, per the budget.
Mello vowed to continue providing mental health and family support to youth involved in the justice system. Other priorities include supporting code enforcement handling dumping and nuisance complaints, expanding the county’s Aging and Disability Resources , increase funding for senior centers, enhance the Shoreline Master Program to address sea level rise and storm impacts and launching a tree canopy program in Parkland to mitigate extreme heat, according to Mello’s budget highlights.
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