EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2026-2027
BIENNIAL BUDGET
A place people are proud to call home.
OUR VISION OUR MISSION
Forward Together: Building communities that are safe, welcoming and connected.
EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE
To the people of Pierce County:
I’m pleased to submit my first biennial budget to the Pierce County Councilmembers for their review, revision and final approval.
As Pierce County moves forward under the banner of “Forward Together,” our focus remains steadfast on building communities that are safe, welcoming and connected. At the same time, we must be cognizant of the very strong economic headwinds and uncertainties we face.
The County continues working with legislators and departments to prevent a future deficit as costs have outpaced revenue in recent years. Despite lean staffing and cost-cutting measures — including a hiring freeze and limits on out-of-state travel — expenses still exceed revenue growth.
This budget proposal reflects the economic uncertainties we are facing:
• Limited revenue streams that don’t keep pace with costs
• End of COVID-19 pandemic funding sources
• Federal budget cuts and grant losses or rescissions
• Recent state laws that are costly to implement
• State budget challenges
I believe this budget allows us to responsibly navigate these uncertainties while we continue working with legislators and departments on the structural deficit. Our guiding principles were to minimize legal risk, fulfill essential obligations, keep vulnerable people safe, and make progress on our strategic priorities.
Our top strategic priority is building safe communities for everyone. Pierce County’s General Fund is overwhelmingly dedicated to public safety and justice. The Sheriff’s Office receives the single largest share (about 42% or approximately $380M). When combined with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Assigned Counsel, Juvenile and Superior Courts, District Court, Emergency Management, and related services, more than 77% of the General Fund supports public safety and justice.
Looking ahead, the next two years will be a period of collaboration, partnership and progress as we work together to:
• Build more affordable housing. Pierce County needs about 5,700 additional units per year to keep up with growth, and about half of those need to be affordable for people with lower and modest incomes.
• Continue expanding behavioral health and detox services, such as our new mobile units and 10-day treatment options. We want every resident to have access to treatment and recovery resources if and where they need it.
• Reduce crime with proven strategies for lowering recidivism, providing young people more access to out-of-school programs, and finding sustainable funding for law enforcement and courts.
• Advance Vision Zero projects, making lifesaving safety improvements to county roads and infrastructure so that everyone arrives home safe at the end of the day.
We also remain committed to supporting our hard-working employees and bringing new job opportunities to the families of Pierce County. Within County offices and along cities’ and towns’ main streets and squares, I meet people every day whose dedication and passion for their work make Pierce County such a special place. Investing in our people and communities helps us all feel proud to call this home.
Particularly during these financial challenges, engagement with our residents remains a cornerstone of our administration. Through surveys, boards and commissions, roundtables, constituent messages and more, we seriously consider input from the people most likely to be affected by the decisions we make. This ongoing collaboration and partnership is at the heart of our “Forward Together” approach.
Together, we are building a region where opportunity, compassion, and safety are shared by all. I thank the County Council, our staff, community partners, and residents for your trust and collaboration in this journey.
Sincerely,
Ryan N. Mello Pierce County Executive
About Pierce County
Pierce County covers nearly 1,800 square miles, stretching from the shores of Puget Sound to the 14,410foot summit of Mount Rainier. More than 960,000 people live here, making it Washington’s second-largest county by population. Since time immemorial this area has been home to the Indigenous peoples whose descendants include today’s Nisqually (dxʷsqʷaliʔabš), Puyallup (spuyaləpabš), Muckleshoot (bəqəlšuɬ), and Squaxin Island (sqʷax̌sədabš) Tribes whose stewardship and cultural traditions remain central to the region today.
The County is home to 23 cities and towns—including Tacoma, Lakewood, and Puyallup—along with many unincorporated communities. Its economy is anchored by Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Port of Tacoma, health care, education, logistics, and a diverse mix of employers.
Pierce County government provides services countywide and in unincorporated areas, including public safety, courts, parks and trails, transportation, wastewater management, human services, and tax administration. Since adopting Home Rule in 1980, the County has been led by an elected Executive, Council, and other officials.
With natural beauty, cultural diversity, and strong communities, Pierce County is a place where residents can live, work, and thrive.
Forward Together: Building Communities that are Safe, Welcoming,
and Connected
Pierce County’s vision is simple but powerful: a place people are proud to call home. Our mission — Forward Together — guides every decision we make and every dollar we spend. Grounded in our values of Collaboration, Integrity, Excellence, and Transparency, it shapes the 2026–27 biennial budget and the 14 strategic priorities that direct our work.
The Strategic Plan identifies what matters most to residents, while the budget provides the resources to make it real. Together they focus on three key priorities:
Communities that are safe for all – from investing in law enforcement and justice systems to expanding affordable housing, detox services, and youth programs.
An economy that works for everyone –supporting jobs, small businesses, and workforce training as federal relief dollars wind down.
Effective, welcoming, and responsive services – improving customer service, modernizing technology, and making county government more accessible and accountable.
Performance measures connect the budget to outcomes, showing whether programs are working and helping us make adjustments when needed. Through Open Pierce County, anyone can see how funds are spent and what results are achieved.
In short, the Strategic Plan provides the roadmap, and the biennial budget drives progress — turning values and priorities into investments that improve everyday life in Pierce County.
Strategic Priority Areas
Communities that are safe for all
Effective and fair law and justice systems
People have confidence they are safe and that the justice system treats everyone equally and fairly.
Healthy people
Residents are healthy across all zip codes and income levels.
Housing that people can afford
Everyone in Pierce County has a place to call home.
Clean, sustainable environment and stable climate
Current and future generations enjoy clean air, clean water, and a healthy natural world.
Livable communities
People of all ages and abilities feel connected to their community and the outdoors.
Supporting youth to thrive
Pierce County’s children and young adults are physically, mentally and socially healthy.
Reliable, safe and accessible infrastructure
High quality, safe infrastructure makes it possible for every resident to connect to jobs, education, health care, and more.
An economy that works for everyone
Skilled workforce
Workers have access to affordable career-training and businesses have access to skilled employees.
Economic security and opportunity
People start and grow businesses here, and residents have sufficient income or resources to meet their basic needs and save for their future.
Effective, welcoming, and responsive services
Regional leadership
Pierce County positively influences others in the region.
Tribal partnerships
We engage, consult, and partner with tribes to achieve mutually-beneficial outcomes.
Accountability and good governance
Measurement and public transparency drive improved decisions, performance, and fiscal responsibility.
Welcoming, customer-focused services
Our high-quality services address the needs of our customers while responsibly stewarding County resources.
Talented and representative workforce
Our employees are productive, innovative, and reflect the communities we serve.
Communities that are safe for all
When we talk about safe communities, we mean “safe” in the broadest meaning possible. Of course, this means law and justice systems that are effective and fair. But it also means safe roads, sidewalks, parks and trails. It means safe housing that people can afford. Air and water that’s clean and healthy. Access to behavioral health services if and when a loved one needs them. Programs that keep our kids safe and help them thrive.
This work makes up more than 76% of the total County budget. More than $2.8 billion of the nearly $3.5 billion total biennial budget is dedicated to work that ensures communities that are safe, clean, just, healthy and livable.
Within the County’s General Fund, about 76% directly supports law enforcement, courts, and related justice system programs. These are the areas with the largest increases in 2026-27 General Fund spending.
Highlights
Investments designed to foster communities that are safe for all include:
Filling vacant positions and continuing hiring incentives in the Sheriff’s Office. There are currently 76 vacant positions in the Sheriff’s Office in both Corrections and Law Enforcement.
Increasing compensation for the Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT Special Team and the Swiftwater Rescue Team.
Design costs for updating old facilities, including the Pierce County Jail and Remann Hall juvenile justice buildings.
Adding 19 positions in Assigned Counsel to address state-mandated revised caseload standards, plus two County Attorneys and 17 continuing positions in the Prosecutor’s Office for tort claims, complex litigation, and Supreme Court rulings.
Continuing mental health and family support services in Juvenile Court. Youth in the justice system often face overlapping challenges, including mental health conditions, family instability, and limited services. Without support, these issues escalate, increasing long-term risks.
Affordable Housing Over 1,300 Units in Two Years
Through the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act, Pierce County has supported the creation, preservation, or development of 1,387 affordable housing units in just over two years. Recent Council approval of $12.2 million for four new projects will bring 646 more homes to South Hill, Fife, Buckley, and DuPont — serving families, seniors, people with disabilities, and youth leaving foster care. These investments demonstrate the flexibility and impact of this dedicated housing fund.
Supporting services related to blighted properties. The team currently deals with approximately 3,500 reports of illegal dumping, nuisance vehicles and other code enforcement violations.
Expanding the Aging & Disability Resources group to support the County’s growing number of vulnerable residents.
Increasing funding for Senior Centers that help create social connections, reduce isolation and loneliness, and provide resources for lowincome elderly residents.
Enhancing the Shoreline Master Program, as mandated by state law. In 2023, the state legislature directed the Department of Ecology to update its guidelines that require local Shoreline Master Programs to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity on people, property, and shoreline natural resources and the environment.
Implementing a Tree Canopy Program in the Parkland area to reduce risks associated with extreme heat.
Supporting Youth to Thrive
Pierce County invests in safe spaces, mentorship, and summer programs that help youth build confidence, explore interests, and connect with community. By treating violence as a public health issue and focusing on prevention, we support young people’s healing and success.
Behavioral Health Expanded Detox Services
Opioid overdoses remain the leading cause of accidental death in Pierce County. In response, the County has expanded detox stays from five to ten days, giving individuals more time to stabilize and connect with long-term treatment. This initiative, supported by opioid settlement funds, reflects our commitment to saving lives and strengthening recovery pathways.
Law Enforcement Staffing and Public Safety
The Sheriff’s Office is the largest share of the County’s General Fund, yet staffing shortages continue to challenge public safety operations. This budget continues hiring incentives, adds positions for attorneys and legal assistants, and invests in facility upgrades for the jail and juvenile detention.
An economy that works for everyone
In a place where the economy works for everyone, residents can reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to their community.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided $26.2 million to support the economy through programs including the Small Business Accelerator, Community Navigator, Small Business Safety and Security Grants, Small Business Grants, Innovation Grants, and Workforce Development Internships and Upskilling. In total, 2,208 small businesses received relief grants, 259 received safety and security grants, 578 completed business accelerator training and grants, and 1,650 businesses were visited by community navigators.
Although ARPA funds are winding down, the 2026–27 budget continues to fund young adult internships and employment opportunities.
Funding young adult internship and employment opportunities. Currently funded through expiring ARPA funds, through May 2025, over 180 young adults were enrolled, 61 completed internships and 50 exited the program for employment.
What residents want
Since 2019, the County has surveyed residents about life and work in the region, asking them to rank ten strategic priorities. Here are the results in order of preference:
Improving access to housing/reducing homelessness
Reducing crime
Creating jobs/economic development
Providing better mental health/drug treatment services
Limiting tax increases
Improving mobility/ reducing traffic
Improving environmental sustainability
Improving equity and social justice
Cleaning up nuisance properties
Providing more parks/ open space
Photo: Graduate from the Pierce County Business Accelerator Program
Highlights
Investments over the next biennium that will advance this work include:
Continuing the taxation software replacement project in the Assessor-Treasurer’s Office.
Digitizing decades of paper records in the Clerk of the Superior Court’s Office.
Improving the sewer billing system.
Implementing a Contract Lifecycle Management system.
Modernizing the County’s website to improve access and make it more user-friendly.
Open Pierce County lets residents track progress, budgets, and services with transparency. open.piercecountywa.gov
Effective, welcoming and responsive services
Pierce County is committed to hiring highly qualified employees, supporting our employees to do their best work, and providing excellent customer service, with a focus on increasing accessibility for residents.
Priority areas that provide the foundation for this work include accountability and good governance, regional leadership, tribal partnerships, hiring and maintaining a talented workforce in a welcoming environment, and customer-focused services.
In addition, the County is prioritizing modest investments to maintain or improve some of the back-end systems that allow employees to efficiently and reliably do their work.
Photo: Planning and Public Works staff at a career fair
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
The Pierce County 2026-27 Biennial Budget totals $3.5 billion, a 2.9% increase over 2024-25.
The General Fund portion is $967.1 million, up 2.7% from the prior biennium. The General Fund’s share of the total budget has declined from 43.7% in 2020–21 to 38.8% in 2026–27, reflecting the expiration of one-time appropriations in 2024–25 and slower revenue growth relative to other funds.
Pierce County is home to an estimated 959,160 people, the second largest county in Washington.
Approximately 53% of Pierce County residents live in cities and towns.
In the last decade the median age has increased 4.8%.
is 8% below Snohomish County and nearly 19% below King County.
