Washington State Association of Counties - WSAC

09/09/2026

Congress passes short-term funding bill, keeping the federal government funded through Dec. 11 and delaying OMB rule:

Congress passed a short-term funding bill that keeps the government funded through Dec. 11. FY 2026 funding levels will continue, and the measure also delays the new OMB Uniform Guidance rule, which counties opposed. The House and Senate approved the bill with broad support, preventing a shutdown and giving counties more time to meet federal grant rule changes.

https://www.naco.org/news/congress-passes-short-term-funding-bill-keeping-federal-government-funded-through-dec-11-and

09/04/2026

Washington’s counties have a new Trusted Partner in procurement! NACo Public Promise Procurement provides counties with cost-effective and efficient purchasing contract vehicles. The unique Lead Public Agency (LPA) and peer-vetted model provides for a fully transparent and competitive process to identify best-in-class suppliers.

Learn more on WSAC's Solutions Center: https://wsac.org/solutions-center/directory/naco-edge-public-promise-procurement/

You can get the latest updates on the NACo Public Promise Procurement Resource Roundup: https://alecto.eomail6.com/web-version?ep=2&lc=ead3a75a-7fa9-11f1-848e-099838075ad2&p=4d5cdc86-a0be-11f1-8c0d-a1d0611d2415&pt=campaign&t=1787756639&s=ef3305f883752e390ed68c97f10650942b50f1f5823f961be88de2eaf9a72c23

09/03/2026

Last call to secure your Early Bird Discount at WSAC's largest event of the year! If you haven't already reviewed the conference agenda, be sure to check out the great workshop topics, keynote presentations focused on pressing county issues, networking opportunities, and fun activities planned, such as County Night Out at Foss Waterway Seaport and Tuesday's Welcome Reception, sponsored by NextEra Energy Resources!

Secure your early-bird discount and find the conference agenda, hotel room blocks, and remaining sponsorship opportunities on the County Leaders website: https://countyleaders.org/

09/03/2026

Join WSAC's Trusted Partner, Public Promise Insurance, on Wednesday, September 23rd, to learn about their new Supplement Benefits offering.

This webinar is ideal for county HR directors, benefits administrators, finance officers, and county executives interested in expanding employee benefit offerings.

Attendees will get:
- An overview of the Supplemental Benefits offering structure and how it works
- Details on each available line of coverage
- How MetLife and Trustmark will support implementation and ongoing administration
- Next steps for counties interested in participating

Learn more & register today: https://eomail6.com/web-version?p=f01c6d68-a59d-11f1-b764-95a7378c618c&pt=campaign&t=1788291557&s=1afc7b2405da517fa617f0ec29cf0b5fff0938941eb9831a73d86d99ff8f78d7

09/01/2026

WSAC is pleased to extend the nomination deadline for the 2026 County Impact Awards to Monday, September 21. This additional time will help ensure that deserving county projects and their key county staff have a chance to be recognized at our annual Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Comcast.

View eligibility requirements and submit your nominations by September 21st to help us recognize outstanding county government projects! https://wsac.org/county-impact-awards/

08/31/2026

Exciting news: The Early Bird Rate for County Leaders has been extended! Attendees now have an extra week to review the conference breakout sessions, check out all the great networking opportunities and activities planned, and secure the best rates!

Register today to lock in your early-bird discount before prices go up: https://countyleaders.org/

08/28/2026

We're celebrating the addition of WSAC's newest Gold Partner,
Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance! Tremco Roofing offers the industry's most comprehensive roofing and weatherproofing solutions for restoration, repair, maintenance, replacement, and new construction, with an unbeatable maintenance program to ensure systems remain leak-proof for as long as the building stands.

Learn more about Tremco's services on their website https://www.tremcoroofing.com/ and check out all of our great partners on WSAC's Solutions Center: https://wsac.org/solutions-center/

08/26/2026

WSAC is still accepting applications for the 2026 County Impact Awards. This is your chance to help us recognize outstanding county government projects and the leadership and staff who engage in positive action to improve their local communities.

County Impact Award recipients will be honored at the County Leaders Conference during Thursday's Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Comcast.

View eligibility requirements and submit your nominations by September 1st! https://wsac.org/county-impact-awards/

You can also see last year’s incredible Project of Impact Award winners:

🏆 Chelan–Douglas Counties: Coordinated Entry System: New design cut wait times and connected families to housing.

🏆 Jefferson County: Port Hadlock Sewer Project: After 25 years, Jefferson County built a modern sewer system.

🏆 Kittitas County: Jail Medical & Behavioral Care: People in jail with addiction or mental health issues get help fast.

🏆 Skagit County: North Star Initiative: Countywide effort unites local leaders, responders, housing, and health groups.

🏆 Thurston County: Your Neighbors, Your Elections: Stories of local election workers build trust.

🏆 Walla Walla County: Road Edge Repair & Widening Program: New equipment and a quality mindset enable crews to fix and improve roads in a single trip.

Read more about the 2025 winning county government projects:
https://members.wsac.org/news/media/84/84-Innovation-in-Action-Counties-Awarded-for-Lasting-Local-Impact

08/25/2026

Mark your calendars for a virtual Lunch & Learn with WSAC's Platinum Partner, Maximus, on Tuesday, October 13th. This session will explore practical approaches to improving customer service, streamlining operations, and creating a more connected experience for your residents.

Through real-world examples and discussion, we'll examine strategies that help counties meet today's challenges while preparing for tomorrow's needs.

Learn more and register here:
https://members.wsac.org/events/view/2026-maximus-lunch-learn

08/24/2026

Washington Paid Out $614M in Settlements in a Year. That Can't Go On:

Washington’s growing lawsuit payouts are draining money from the state budget and crowding out public services. The state’s liability system encourages large settlements and needs reform. Lawmakers need to update tort laws, reduce excessive claims, and protect funding for core programs.

Read more:

Lawmakers must quell surging state tort payouts while preserving the ability of Washingtonians to seek redress for government wrongdoing.