In a direct message to residents, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders took to social media this week to announce significant budget challenges facing his department, warning that proposed cuts could severely impact public safety services.

The announcement outlined a potential 26% budget reduction, part of a broader cost-cutting measure across county departments as Thurston County grapples with a growing structural deficit.

Sanders pointed to inflation, rising operational costs, and unfunded mandates from state and federal authorities as the driving forces behind the financial shortfall.

“Higher government tells us we must do things that are expensive and cost money, then provide no money to do the work,” Sanders wrote.

RELATED STORIES

Human remains found over a decade ago in Thurs

See Full Page