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Home My WebLink About121925 - WAcounties Weekly _ December 19_ 2025ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. December 19, 2025 COUNTY NEWS Asotin County Warns of Near Breaking Point December 19, 2025 <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1717107438240-WACountiesWeekly_Logo.png> COUNTY NEWS Asotin County Warns of Near Breaking Point as the Cost of Indigent Public Defense Skyrockets In a letter to the Governor earlier this week, Asotin County warned it's nearing the breaking point as the cost of indigent public defense continues to skyrocket while state funding covers only a fraction of the expense–about $1 million locally in 2025 versus just $31,561 from the State. New caseload standards are further driving up costs, forcing counties to pay more for fewer cases and threatening the sustainability of defense contracts in 2026 and beyond. County leaders say they may be unable to renew public defense contracts without cutting essential, mandated services or staff, and are calling on the State to either significantly increase funding or assume responsibility for indigent defense. They caution that without urgent action from the Legislature and Courts, Washington’s public defense system could begin to collapse as early as 2027. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/0/VHZOn---plus---zsiAWI5TTPmvBnzq8W9vMtBlxWppPiyWaLwTPrKsbZc1OseyuW51J0SkRO---plus---ZxU---plus---BOYXx RvDOcSgUqlqfgVWVrnT8uRHyrjojzH0ElPrrlUBYjm3wq33BeZPj1SmgNBlek2iHQaQkn73FXJb3kqDO7p4---plus---f0WAZfMUfzbnc---equals---> COUNTY NEWS New Public Defense Toolkit for Counties The Washington State Association of Counties has launched the Public Defense Advocacy Toolkit to make it easy for you to share clear, consistent messages about Washington’s public defense crisis—and why the Legislature must act. The toolkit offers messaging frames on public safety, equity, and justice — each with ready-to-use content that will be available soon. Continue to watch for updates to the toolkit in the coming weeks and throughout session! READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/1/TsDIdfEdiePpIYGPhBGMzQhkYu6Mc5iBpBUncD91GZzQzoAsS---slash------plus---BA7x7yEgoQLBwiTifQ6aX7s4jQOm6y6 b---slash---xw---equals------equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/2/JlNQJi---slash---mkasPJ9s9---slash------plus---0RHZKpMP4hjf3LHPET4qDj8ePx1gNiC9lmhI77jgEvJ78nTy5AV86byhPsjyNxZ H4u8w---equals------equals---> STATE NEWS Washington Landslide Risk Maps Still Incomplete Over a Decade After Oso Disaster In the aftermath of the 2014 Oso landslide, it was clear there were significant gaps in how the state had mapped and prepared for the risk of such a catastrophic event. Many people in the community did not know their homes made them vulnerable to a life-threatening disaster. Lawmakers and state environmental planners set in motion plans to prevent such harm from repeating. A new mapping project was launched to meaningfully document Washington’s landslide risk — tools intended to inform the public, local governments and emergency planners. Now, over a decade later, as a historic atmospheric river inundated Western Washington, the map is still unfinished. Critical projections about human and property risk, and which areas of Washington are most likely to experience landslides, still do not exist for much of the state. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/3/s29vFkq8XNTMV---slash---wu---plus---Y1S---plus---zb34DD---plus---EdfsI2B87i7MeiT2ZXVDt3olJW3EIogmok-- -slash---D0QLFWbTgoGylc9QTNodC2468hUpkSvqCZoxlKfP9dRMXcMOSap---slash---ZSQHySEBGNPik91lwgfwQEhPxCUhDd0eoNSDq4B4CaUhwfeLqxFlKzCqGNu7vnMrGALurIhX0Eh4Rfxd4jGHqsI---slash---fbijr4OTOKw---equals------equa ls---> STATE NEWS Western Washington Braces for Potential Landslides with Forecasted High Winds and Rain The US Geological Survey and the State Department of Natural Resources are both concerned about the risk of widespread landslides in the coming days. USGS Data shows heightened groundwater levels and saturated soil at multiple points. There have already been significant landslides and erosion near State Highways. The DNR said it was also monitoring multiple locations across western Washington. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/4/iFuMXgbr6JIXbA1kkFn8b2mYnEqB0WP---slash---ICHrs9x6Z---slash---H7xd3ZGy3F4K9j3ppzsQs8rehAmcivK0N88AtRU FOc9fSQlu7Mft1l---plus---auvw---slash---HXPdjEBoz---plus---Tvl6AR0snHRZlH---slash---VzjNoIq2q6vwxsK2f8O9Rmy5VjVI1Qs7mB8Z---slash---aXE3J2LeqKcNo8IQS4nw6Qf9BPDUc---plus---FBI4I4---slash---PSL8TjKtYNK6 qS1VKb2eEWxlrCw4ns59MWcC---slash---Osb3n---slash---jqkX1ivPwd---slash---PS3PrJAIx1aYG8e6CKVMENUgJ8PVx37IsOk8golPBLxU---equals---> COUNTY NEWS Kitsap Launches Point No Point Study on Stormwater, Flooding Concerns Kitsap County Public Works Stormwater Division has launched a yearlong study to better understand stormwater and flooding concerns in the Point No Point area. Beginning in December, the Stormwater Division and its technical partners will gather information to analyze how water moves through the area. The project will use data to help identify options to improve drainage and reduce flood risks along Point No Point Road and the surrounding areas, per a county news release. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/5/EKpDjrwdlTi0yZT5Qr4ujBa9R---plus---mKuRuXcdbQoX5z22yr9GuBSQL1WBZSI5YehZYoMteQgl28pTqdb0NpRhren1a5WSrO ---plus---7rgz7Fh6DjYbD8j9atr0e1Zu9wLWTFbA---plus---K6Yd3bnSDKWs8owgWqAydikUjr0tljXdo---plus---1qNIG1oxiw---slash---2gL4JlB---plus---VYTe40uHQkMwMTyeNMP---plus---ZfShdOmRU8EIlag---equals------equals- --> COUNTY NEWS Notice of Funding - FMSIB Six Year Strategic Investment Program The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) has opened the 2026 application window for the Six-Year Strategic Investment Program, effective Monday, December 15. Applications are due 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. The Six-Year Strategic Investment Program (Investment Program) is a freight mobility investment program established to guide funding decisions, spanning all modes, for the highest priority freight projects across Washington State. Updated every biennium, FMSIB is accepting applications for projects proposed for FY 27-29, FY 29-31, and FY 31-33. APPLY HERE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/6/caRBr7YqeXerToVIjG7PO4iIpp6Y---slash---X8AMk4OU14LNObFn---slash---p9Ykk0j5sCaB79LuzntCDdJYz3iNhMhe1E Lu1---plus---SbLDuygnfwdXUhwvXM1lOGBbL6c9YoHovrMDLG3ek5XX6qMIyfkmUZ---slash---4TuTYfIx---slash---MkK3p7OHue---slash---ch7ncHfxKrOg---equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/7/T---plus---TLww0Q61W---plus---Phkq3oxauIyrcajfNFp8OoiUEhIM8oHISJwIqBW4r17MMKiwWSsgBHWH6jSISrvPyBCxLL4J7rzXJGAi UnGc3ROrWsOTys7---plus---XuEqTpBJZTx1jWLN5gXp> STATE NEWS Help Shape the 2026 Washington Freight System Plan WSDOT is currently developing the 2026 Freight System Plan (FSP), which examines all modes of freight movement--including trucks, airplanes, rail, barges, and cargo ships. The 2026 FSP will guide policy and investment decisions to address multimodal freight needs across Washington. Your input is critical to ensure that the plan accurately reflects the needs and concerns of everyone using or impacted by the freight system, improves the quality of data and insights incorporated into freight planning, and strengthens support for implementing plan recommendations. The survey and map will be open until 5 PM Pacific on January 30, 2026. WSDOT will update the online open house with information about other engagement opportunities as they become available. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/8/kZnqISsvYkcJn6ZTBb77q72QKebWQTeQuuVWVTHHGKm6faZzT4RSvy2IhLIcc1Gjo00941BTwMktBx3h2KPvM6Zl8S1qdXrQBLqm6 pRr9df83F5H0---plus---UhYqfGGWGONWLT> STATE NEWS Washington Begins to Assess Damage From Record Flooding On Saturday morning, local, state and federal elected officials, including Gov. Bob Ferguson, U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Kim Schrier, surveyed the aftermath. The flooding, while still historic, mercifully didn’t quite reach the extreme levels initially predicted. No deaths or significant injuries have been reported, Ferguson said. READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/9/9xEKPEDcGTUTuvuKz6gJ6ZxI0My04qDFZiLXbiePg---plus---Q9PfaX13YtYA---slash---gP4o6YXc8txMcwqOMQqcdN888Cl 4Ofe---plus---qRbBfuwkLb8---slash---FKpOa8sCSNrpqEyR9F2P0tVAj4NAVJCv5jFgQfjvhRcSaFEYIlhuMm7oVozxuu8SM5qSjlwo---equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1705611441075-425944.png> Upcoming Events THUR 8 JANUARY 8 @ 10:30AM PRA Case Law Highlights 2026 <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/10/---plus---GGf1loe9SVQjnSuzB2rVrAgo3ECt9Y9Vm5JYiIy---plus---lx8Vl7vHJ0Z0---plus--- ---plus---DlUuagLNDOrZ4zP9lWT7sEp2aGtFyF2TZeV680FFGXATjTfMjd7GRnLDUCgn---plus---CJpgKgDce---slash---y49VQtfKk5o9NDLcqEUB1CryI8U2jc7qxr9H8MARe---plus---4t8L4SkI3nQJl7m9AVPBmgB9lsxbo0D8YNwSrtqO86RS---s lash---f3ACyr1OufJzNX2Uk3jgSsn39tzGaq7YJSdnItuBstW> Webinar | $50 WED 28 JANUARY 28TH @ 10:00AM ABC’s of Piggybacking Panel: State (DES) and Federal (GSA) Contracts <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/11/WwzmBZLwMPkARlk1lQhuAjdCUHDAwBx8HxnRRdYBa WGjAVFA---slash---Bau1k---slash---fWxwDjmbGjgSECUC2eHuZR8s5mEUJ1hXwJF3Tlc7U0iJzCWFB---slash---vfqnE3pI4b5f15W0i6h5B27Qg7nYFf4wiHiG1eRIccif5NHBZFMOd9TXEBhNid7UDakyv2npYca9unZujckph---slash---NmIxY0fwv HwdKLcswXeenICjndPDAT2INHvRQpAwlGTU3oXf79MkCFn6epAiNkPRR2AaO4SjMJTdu59ZdYU9KqthAvWAvH4E2tyRKWSKC5uE---equals---> Webinar | $50 VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MjgzMDcwLThmN2Q4Zmo0b1dpWQ==/12/jcLvKveuOtRx3ARpEhHoJgfgDoj---plus---CPM---plus---fjytPOO1cX2LHQQ---plus---nWSMWs---p lus---oqHIJbg9nNQXQIpeB515CbeoJrHCPWA---equals------equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1705613037920-355671.png> NEW WSAC MEMBER? 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