Thurston County landed a cost-effective deal when purchasing the new facility for the sheriff’s office this month, as detailed by the county’s central services department.
Rick Thomas, capital projects planning manager, told the county commissioners during a Wednesday, Feb. 5, work session that the building would not only save the county money upon purchase but no major renovation or major capital investments will be required for 10 years.
The building, located at 1111 Israel Road SW, was constructed in 2008 and was the county’s top choice out of a list of 10 buildings in the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater area chosen by the county’s real estate broker.
Four facilities were then shortlisted and investigated in more detail, and the Tumwater facility was determined to best meet the sheriff’s office requirements.
It is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified, four-star, 56,000-square-foot office building that cost the county $14.25 million, just over $250 per square foot. Central services said four- or five-star building purchase prices were typically as much as $550 per square foot. To build a new four- or five-star building, it would’ve cost upwards of $700 per square foot including land purchase, development, design, construction and furnishing.
The property also includes over 150 parking spaces, enough to meet all of the sheriff’s office requirements as well as allow space for visitors. The vehicle impound will be at a different location still to be determined.
After Assistant County Manager Joshua Cummings signed the purchase and sales agreement on Sept. 19, comprehensive on-site inspections were completed by the central services facilities team, the county information technology team, a professional architect, a mechanical engineer, an electrical engineer, a structural engineer, a civil engineer and an environmental specialist. These inspections did not reveal any significant building infrastructure issues as the building appeared to have been well-maintained and has been occupied by two state agencies since the building construction was completed.
The two state agencies that have existing leases will remain in the building until the leases expire on July 31 and Sept. 30, respectively. All lease payments will be made directly to the county.
The sheriff’s office’s move-in target date is April 2026.
Thomas told the commissioners that the building is a lead silver building and that the energy efficiency is below what the Clean Buildings Act requires as of now, therefore the county will not have to invest money into that.
The purchase of the building was made possible by the Public Safety Sales Tax. Summer Miller, county budget and finance manager, gave an update on the sales tax and how it is funding law and justice within the county.
From Fund 1230, which deals with the sheriff’s office, the county received $4.1 million in revenues in 2024 and is expected to receive $6.6 million in 2025 and $6.8 million in 2026. Miller said there are gradual tax increases from 2027 to 2034 that will be monitored.
The county estimates $7.1 million in Fund 1230 expenditures, including a 3% cost of living adjustment and phasing in additional staff, fleet vehicles and equipment. Miller said the county expects $6.1 million in expenses in 2026 and $7.3 million in 2027. Finally, she said there is an estimated average healthy fund balance of $3.9 million projected year over year.
For Fund 1240, which deals with the justice side including the prosecuting attorney, public defense and ballot processing, the revenues assume:
• 2024 — $1.3 million
• 2025 — $2.2 million
• 2026 — $2.3 million (4% increase)
• 2027-2034 — 5% increase year over year
Expenditures for Fund 1240 include a 3% cost of living adjustment, phasing in of additional staff at $220,000, and the beginning of ballot processing center bond interest payments at $450,000 annually. Miller said there is an estimated average healthy fund balance of $3 million projected year over year.
