HomeMy WebLinkAbout020626 WAcounties Weekly _ February 6_ 2026ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
February 6, 2026 COUNTY NEWS New Washington State Association of Counties Study
February 6, 2026
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COUNTY NEWS
New Washington State Association of Counties Study Details Public Defense Caseload Changes and Cost
Washington State’s public defense system has reached a critical tipping point, placing counties, courts, and constitutional rights under severe strain. A new report from the Washington
State Association of Counties (WSAC) shows that local governments are shouldering more than 95% of public defense costs, despite the state’s constitutional responsibility to ensure
the right to counsel.
Washington State is now a national outlier in public defense funding. Only three states, Arizona, Mississippi, and Nebraska, contribute less state funding than Washington. Meanwhile,
statewide public defense costs are projected to at least double, if not triple, over the next decade due to newly adopted caseload standards from the Washington Supreme Court that dramatically
reduce workload standards for public defenders.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/1/BbvAevZC55cAqaZ9MZIOvE5Oh5tUdAetxR9ufMPZqefdlcnSTFKWWuhrdo---plus---SjZqEsT7RnYgbm---plus---oDk5---pl
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tlTX6abKEGi9lzPToP9fAkWVNxCuwT---plus--->
STATE NEWS
CALL FOR PROJECTS! The New Local Road Program is Open for Applications
The County Road Administration Board (CRAB) is pleased to announce the next major milestone for the Local Road Program! With the support of county partners, the agency proposed and received
the competitive grant program for local roads in 2025.
Applications are due April 1st by 5:00pm. Counties are strongly encouraged to not limit their applications in quantity or funding needs in order to demonstrate the strong demand for
program funding to policymakers.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/2/f0WHFhEXAo1CUjLgV8IGpHzkN8qS---plus---wVCnIDyXMk6B9SaEDOin0Y2eSgIXhi51bbkqVlHmSgFUp8aj7F---slash-----
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PARTNER NEWS
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WSAC Announces Partnership with Newest Platinum Partner: CORE!
It is with great excitement that we share the expansion of WSAC’s Corporate Member Program with the addition of our newest Platinum Partner, CORE! CORE may be new to the program, but
they are not new to serving counties, with over 40 years of experience in the government sector. Their team is wasting no time jumping in and providing solutions for counties.
Learn more about CORE’s payments and revenue management software and how to reach your local rep by visiting their directory page in WSAC's Solutions Center.
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COUNTY NEWS
New Washington Caseload Standards Cast Doubt on Future of Public Defense
Washington’s long-strained criminal justice system is under new pressure as significantly lower caseload limits for public defenders threaten to slow prosecutions and force the state
to spend millions more on legal defense.
Public defense funding structures vary nationally, and Washington is among the states where local governments carry most of the financial burden. That system creates inequities, particularly
in rural areas, said Derek Young, executive director of the Washington State Association of Counties.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/4/xwQeecOu8---slash---MhY85tup275vinve2TBMcYSFf3kUXGKmt6TaDPUn2DtqeramuBW962PK0uRargaAYsc4kJTAFOkGbVuo3
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NEW EPISODE
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CRAB Lore and Local Roads: Building Washington’s Next Big Infrastructure Program
In this episode of the County Connection Podcast, Paul Jewell welcomes back Jane Wall of the County Road Administration Board to explore the newly authorized Local Roads Program. They
break down why local roads make up more than half of county-owned lane miles, why they’ve never had a state-funded program until now, and how upcoming seed funding could get counties
shovel-ready by 2027. Jane also digs into preservation, resiliency, and why counties must stay front‑and‑center in statewide transportation investments. A must‑listen for anyone tracking
Washington’s infrastructure future.
LISTEN NOW <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/6/ldtQ9T52Cd0eAJhKBaKoPbQOAS3ZyZoy2KTVpmlQ---slash---2k6OPiiW3MnzhdRq7LVzKR9amwPkdRq0afSBQQRu39c2olQxb
aDibBIgKS1---plus---2zYP9sJHm05PYhkjfnPbl---plus---F8JD0>
STATE NEWS
Bill Seeks to Repeal Rule That Locks Up Washington Timberland
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee showed a lively interest in repealing a rule that will lock up 200,000 acres of timber in Western Washington, including Grays Harbor
and Pacific counties. The bill targets the Forest Practices Board’s decision in November to widen and lengthen riparian buffers along streams without fish. The bigger buffers will eliminate
$2.8 billion worth of timber, a University of Washington analysis estimates.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/7/5ItmjqtMDtTdsN3OmFwYWl2FoGC---plus---l0b6DSlNA1---plus---qM7l9DBuqeeDrk56HzGvW5KLsTuKlFY8Gh6S83aEM5oB
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COUNTY NEWS
Douglas County Launches Long-Term Review of Farmland Zoning
County officials have launched a Countywide Agricultural Land Analysis, a state-required process to evaluate which areas should continue to be designated as agricultural resource lands,
and whether some parcels should instead be considered rural land, or vice versa. Under Washington law, counties must periodically review agricultural lands using criteria set by the
Washington Administrative Code before making any changes to comprehensive plans or zoning maps.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/8/kvmAI31m3ENFG4B3Qes5WSfeBhxIxtKFDbD10S20Uc7MVO8lzz2DbR6lUcoXljmcdXy---slash---ig9R658u1uv6EAnGEmWMLVr
LIOnCB1jm7wzA---plus---K3BMiSLkhHu---slash---ejdWRx8H6Gd>
PARTNER NEWS
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Upcoming Scholarship Opportunity Offered by NACo & Nationwide
For the 26th consecutive year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) Deferred Compensation Program, in partnership with Nationwide, is offering a remarkable scholarship opportunity
for high school seniors.
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COUNTY NEWS
Walla Walla County’s Road Edge Repair & Widening Drives State Award
Walla Walla County is paving the way toward safer roads and smarter spending. Washington State Association of Counties has recognized its Innovative Road Edge Repair & Widening Program
as a Project of Impact. It’s a milestone in the county’s journey toward long-term infrastructure sustainability.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/10/wa5zMDwZ---plus---EUv3opTIN0FuAsA6p8dlhime189JoJ1eFDW56wVT21qP9tNbIVIm9NGG---slash---3DUp6cvt1NKej0z
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Vtku8FkBxCVyDm7fkDmfOFDrXgVGFqZIHkT4hz1w---equals------equals--->
COUNTY NEWS
Lewis County Establishes First Artificial Intelligence Policy for County Employees
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prominent, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners took steps on Tuesday to establish its own policies on AI use for county business. The
Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution establishing a county policy on AI use by local government employees. The policy includes prohibiting certain high-risk uses
of AI.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/12/p2UE7VhmIa---plus---2B5UtzFCpmvOwJnYa2cnJUBg8VzCrbYchmOsPdsPm3Sav8tFDPyXCmp7YUfo9B1ijzNuznZ---slash-
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STATE NEWS
2027-2029 Regional Mobility Grant Pre-application Open
WSDOT is now accepting pre-applications for the 2027-2029 Regional Mobility Grant Program. Regional Mobility grants provide funds for local efforts to improve connectivity between counties
and regional population centers and reduce transportation delay.
Eligible applicants are cities, counties, ports, public transit agencies, regional transit authorities, regional transportation planning organizations, and metropolitan planning organizations
in Washington state. Eligible project types are vehicle and equipment purchases, capital construction, operating projects, and transportation demand management.
READ MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/13/Gas3kICkHGHuPCMrBkIkHrw11H3SHhB3m3ACwf7bYvgqzE---slash---vdQx27TBg3VHl5pnTT0PNYvo4zekudsBqtbaq5ZZJUd
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WHATCOM COUNTY
Deputy Executive <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/18/IJZqCxtn0lnZnJ4BjF0HTE38bj62HMnPGQIMioG---plus---S---plus---mb76PFAF4eINCF7hcbyU1NGf0---slash
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$154,788 - $224,760/Yr
CLARK COUNTY
License Specialist I/II – Auto License Department <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/Mjk3MjE2LTQzZDA1N0lWY2s5Zg==/19/2m---plus---6P---plus---CAxngmcHIG---slash---Ox---plus---Qbm
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$23.77 – $33.61/Hr
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CORE is a payments and revenue management software provider with 40 years of experience in the government sector. Partnering with over 1100 government entities, CORE enhances modern
payment and engagement experiences. We connect customers with trusted agencies, streamlining every interaction from first contact to final reconciliation.
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FOLLOW US
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