Forks Continues 2026 Budget Review; Final Hearing Set for Dec. 1
Published 1:30 am Thursday, November 27, 2025
The City of Forks’ preliminary 2026 budget has been filed, with copies available to the public beginning Nov. 21. Budget hearings were held Nov. 10 and Nov. 24, alongside budget workshops on the same dates. A public hearing on revenue sources for the upcoming year was also held Nov. 10.
The Forks City Council will hold a special meeting on Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. for the final budget hearing and adoption of the 2026 budget. Any Forks resident may submit written comments for or against any portion of the proposal.
General Fund Pressures
During the Nov. 10 budget workshop, council members Joe Soha, Vilkesh Patel, Clint Wood and Armestead Coleman were present; Councilmember Jeff Gingell was absent.
City Clerk/Treasurer Caryn DePew walked the council through the general fund, which supports most city departments. The fund is made up of revenue from interest, rentals, state sources, property taxes, permits, and other fees.
DePew noted several areas where costs continue to rise. Liability insurance is now $300,000 more per year than in 2017, she said. Medical expenses have also increased by about $51,000. Meanwhile, the Forks Jail, once funded 40% from the general fund, is now drawing approximately 80%.
“Just wanted to point that out,” DePew said, adding that something will need to change down the road as jail costs begin to strain other departments.
Sales tax revenues are holding steady.
Jail Concerns and Police Department Needs
Police Chief Mike Rowley reported on the condition of department vehicles, noting the oldest patrol unit dates back to 2018. The department has been “frugal,” he said, trying to extend the life of the fleet.
Discussion then shifted to the jail and its financial challenges. Soha joked about offering “jail tours” to raise funds, but the underlying concern was serious. Rowley described the jail as critical to the entire West End, noting that lingering impacts from COVID-19 and the loss of outside contract holds have reduced revenue. Local courts are still backlogged, affecting bookings and stays.
La Push continues to use the Forks Jail for holds, and he is pursuing a Washington State Patrol contract.
Medical costs for inmates remain a burden. Rowley warned that if the city were to lose its jail, it would likely never be restored. Without a local facility, he said, many offenders, such as shoplifters and those involved in assaults, would not be jailed or might avoid charges. Forks officers would also spend valuable time transporting prisoners to Port Angeles, reducing staffing in town and increasing costs.
Rowley said staff have even been doing concrete repair work themselves to save money. It was asked whether volunteerism or donations could be part of the solution.
Public Defender Rule Changes
City Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck briefed the council on a pending new ruling regarding public defender caseloads. He warned the changes would negatively affect small jurisdictions.
“It’s an impact on community and businesses,” he said, noting that indigent clients do not pay fines, leaving cities to absorb the costs. While the issue is significant statewide, Fleck said he felt it is less of a problem in Forks than in some other areas.
Public Works Updates
Public Works Director Paul Hampton reported that the Russell Road Bridge is being monitored due to erosion and undermining. The structure will require funding and attention in the future. Hampton also noted ongoing deterioration of several street light poles and the future need to replace the city’s dump truck.
