Washington State Association of Counties - WSAC

06/05/2026

Energy Project Conflicts Intensify Across Western Washington:

Disputes over clean energy projects are escalating as communities push back on new infrastructure. Proposed battery storage sites and transmission projects are drawing strong opposition over safety, environmental, and land-use concerns. At the same time, utilities warn that dozens of new projects are needed to meet growing demand and state climate goals. The tension highlights a growing challenge for counties navigating local impacts while supporting statewide energy needs.

East of the mountains, solar and wind farms are common. But west of the Cascades, there's a new trend: massive battery storage facilities.

06/03/2026

Critics Say Washington is Neglecting to Fund Public Defenders Amid Caseload Cut:

Washington’s public defense system is facing a crippling shortage of attorneys, driving high burnout rates. Former public defenders say the grueling demands of the job have become unsustainable, forcing many to abandon the practice entirely.

The Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys stated that while they support lighter caseloads for public defenders, they view the Supreme Court’s cuts as drastic and unrealistic under current challenges. The group expressed concern that the changes will lead to increased backlogs and more unresolved cases.

Washington’s public defense system is facing a crippling shortage of attorneys, driving high burnout rates.

06/02/2026

We’re pleased to share that WSAC’s partner, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), has upgraded to the Gold tier of our Corporate Member Program! As Washington state’s largest energy utility, PSE serves over 1.2 million electric customers and nearly 900,000 natural gas customers across 10 counties, aspiring to reach beyond net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

To meet the state's clean energy goals, PSE is developing the first Integrated System Plan in Washington state history, and one of the first in the nation. County members and other stakeholders are invited to join PSE in developing the plan and further defining the goals and actions that will lead them through an equitable clean energy transformation.

Learn more about PSE and their clean energy planning on their website: https://www.cleanenergyplan.pse.com/

05/26/2026

Looking to Save Money on Your Prescription, Health, and Dental Costs? WSAC’s NACo Edge Partner Can Help.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties. It provides relief to uninsured and underinsured Americans who face growing health costs, offering different ways to save:

🟩 Prescription Drug Discount Card – Provides savings up to 80%* on generics and up to 40%* on brand-name prescription medications for residents and their pets

🟩 MinuteClinic Savings – Save 15% at the medical walk-in clinic located in select CVS Pharmacy and Target Stores using the Live Healthy Prescription Discount Card*

➡️ Learn more about how you can save on rising prescription, health, and dental costs by visiting WSAC’s Solutions Center: https://wsac.org/solutions-center/directory/live-healthy/

05/21/2026

Thank you to WA Representative Rick Larsen and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland for their leadership in the BUILD America 250 Act, a landmark surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes the amendments requested by counties. Helping to literally build bridges in Washington State!

05/19/2026

If you work in local government, you have probably felt it: residents expect more transparency, faster responsiveness, and clearer follow-through than they did even a few years ago.

At the same time, the “trust cushion” many communities once had is thinner. In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late 2023, 61% of adults rated their local government positively, down from 66% in 2022 and 69% in 2019. That slide is not a judgment on any one decision. It is a signal that trust is increasingly earned through day-to-day experiences.

For resources and best practices in establishing public trust, read the latest article from WSAC's Gold Partner, BerryDunn.

Listening Before Leading: Establishing Public Trust Through Authentic Community Engagement: https://members.wsac.org/news/business-partners/109/109-Listening-Before-Leading-Establishing-Public-Trust-Through-Authentic-Community-Engagement

05/14/2026

It is with great enthusiasm that we share our newly formed Platinum Partnership with Maximus Inc! For over five decades, Maximus has delivered critical services and solutions that empower governments to better serve their communities with speed, security, and transparency.

Visit WSAC's Solutions Center to learn how your county or department can streamline operations through Maximus's various services and AI-driven innovation: https://wsac.org/solutions-center/directory/maximus/

05/13/2026

Benton County Warns Residents About Government Impersonation Email Scams:

Benton County officials are warning residents about a surge in fraudulent emails targeting people with active permit applications by impersonating local government planning departments.

The sophisticated scam specifically targets the City of Kennewick planning staff, Franklin County Planning and Building Department, and the City of Richland permit office. Scammers send emails that appear to come from official staff members, demanding immediate payment via wire transfer for fabricated "final approval" fees or "outstanding charges."

The Brief

05/12/2026

Spokane County Urges Early Preparation for Wildfire Season:

Fire officials across Spokane County are urging people to take advantage of the coming weeks to prepare for what experts say could be another challenging wildfire season in the Inland Northwest. Wildfires in the region have increased in both frequency and intensity, making early preparation essential for protecting homes and families.

MEAD, Wash. — Fire officials across Spokane County are urging people to take advantage of the coming weeks to prepare for what experts say could be another challenging wildfire season in the Inland Northwest. Wildfires in the region have increased in both frequency and intensity, making early prep...

05/08/2026

Washington Looking for Solutions to Looming Water Challenges:

For four straight years, at least parts of Washington have been in a drought, as snowpack has failed to meet historical norms amid climate change. This year, all of Washington is experiencing drought, after a wet winter scuttled by warmer temperatures, according to state officials.

Washington state leaders are looking for ways to deal with the ongoing water challenges, which state Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller calls “our new normal.” A new initiative, called Washington’s Water Future, will lead roundtable discussions across the state this summer, with recommendations delivered to Gov. Bob Ferguson before the 2027 legislative session begins in January. Local and tribal governments, utilities, industry leaders, environmental groups, and community organizations will be at the table.

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-looking-for-solutions-to-looming-water-challenges,401929?

WOODINVILLE — For four straight years, at least parts of Washington have been in a drought, as snowpack has failed to meet historical norms amid climate change.  This year, all of …