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July 17, 2026 WSAC NEWS Washington Counties Face Exploding Liability Costs, New
July 17, 2026
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WSAC NEWS
Washington Counties Face Exploding Liability Costs, New WSAC White Paper Shows
The Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) released the white paper — Under Pressure: The Liability Plight for Washington Counties — to show how decades of court decisions have
pushed county liability and budgets far beyond the Legislature’s original intent.
Beginning in the 1960s, there was a bipartisan effort to ensure fair compensation for injured residents. However, the report shows that when lawmakers also waived sovereign immunity,
it has since created “significant, costly unintended consequences.” Court rulings such as Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp., Norg v. City of Seattle, and Essex v. Grant County now let people
sue counties in more situations and seek larger payouts, putting more pressure on local budgets.
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WSAC NEWS
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Register Now to Secure Your Early Bird Rates!
The County Leaders Conference, hosted by the Washington State Association of Counties, brings together close to 300 elected/appointed officials and department heads from all of Washington's
39 counties.
Look forward to networking opportunities, learning sessions, and great food! We can't wait to bring back all the fun of last year plus more! Don't wait! Secure your spot now to get $75
off your full-conference registration and access to our room blocks before they fill up.
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COUNTY NEWS
Skagit County Commissioners Hold Hearing on Data Center Ban
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday regarding the county's six-month moratorium on data centers. The board of commissioners approved the moratorium
on June 1. The moratorium prevents the county from accepting permit applications for data centers in unincorporated Skagit County while it develops permanent regulations on data centers.
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WSAC NEWS
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Exhibit Tables & Sponsorships are Selling Fast. Don't Wait to Reserve Your Spot!
As WSAC's largest event of the year, sponsors and exhibitors at the 2026 County Leaders Conference will have the opportunity to market their services and meet directly with elected county
commissioners, councilmembers, and executives from across the state in one convenient location. Members of affiliate associations, local government agencies, and departmental staff
are also invited, offering endless networking opportunities.
Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities are limited, and tables are selling fast. Register today to reserve your spot at County Leaders!
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COUNTY NEWS
San Juan County Council Weighs Four Paths to Ease Housing Crunch
San Juan County Council members spent part of their June 9 meeting on the county’s housing shortage, narrowing a list of possible code changes to four priorities: pre-approved building
plans, updated accessory dwelling unit standards, legalization of temporary and mobile housing, and rural cluster development changes.
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COUNTY NEWS
Grant County's New Adult Correctional Facility Nears Operational Status
The Grant County Sheriff's Office is moving closer to making its new adult correctional facility operational after years of planning and construction as staff take occupancy. Officials
say substantial work remains before the facility becomes fully operational and begins accepting inmates from the county's overcrowded current jail.
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COUNTY RESOURCES
2026 Legislation Addressing Individual Protections at Work, in Public Records, and in Public Safety
Bills from the 2026 legislative session included several that increased protections for individuals in their interactions with employers, public agencies, and officials, from pregnant
and post-partum employees on the job to transgender and intersex individuals in jail settings.
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COUNTY RESOURCES
Local Governments See Updates to Sales Taxes and Other Revenues After 2026 Legislative Session
HB 2442, the ‘fiscal flexibility’ bill, made a number of changes to local government revenues—including creating a new sales tax authority and modifying other sales taxes, property taxes,
and real estate excise taxes (REET).
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STATE NEWS
West Nile Virus Arrives in Washington
According to Adams County Public Health Director Alex Brzezny, the virus has been found in mosquitos and cattle in Benton, Grant and Yakima counties. Earlier this month, Benton County
reported detections in four crows and two mosquito samples, and Yakima County reported detections in seven mosquito samples.
“This year is the soonest we’ve ever seen reports of West Nile Virus in our state since 2004,” Brzezny said. “We have already had reports in birds and mosquitoes from Benton, Yakima
and Grant counties, which are neighboring areas, really close.”
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Webinar | $50
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KITSAP COUNTY
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$33.96 - $43.44/Hr
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