Grays Harbor County Commissioner's Meeting 09/24/26

Grays Harbor County Commissioners meeting, September 24, 2026: The commissioners reviewed 2027 property-tax levy options for the general fund, including the 1% limit, new-construction revenue, and a $638 road-fund refund levy. Staff said the estimated 1% increase would add about $135,000, and new construction could add roughly $272,752. The main discussion concerned House Bill 2442, which allows counties to levy veterans’, mental-health, and public-health funding outside the general fund. The estimated minimum veterans levy was $47,111 and the mental-health levy $362,717; public health is optional, with a potential maximum of about $725,000. Commissioners debated taxpayer impacts, public input, service needs, and the county’s approximately $4 million deficit. No levy decisions or votes were taken; staff said the board has until November to decide.

The commissioners also discussed 2026 financial-stewardship objectives, including county process standardization and consolidation, documentation of workflows, and a possible consultant/RFP scope. Staff raised whether a consultant would be useful, and the next step discussed was further coordination between commissioners and staff; no RFP, contract, vendor selection, or spending approval was authorized. The meeting concluded after an executive session on public-employee performance; officials stated that no votes or actions were taken in executive session.