Current News and Activities
The Board of Equalization customer service is by appointment only. If you need assistance or wish to make an appointment, please email the Clerk of the Board, Ruth Elder (ruth.elder@co.thurston.wa.us). The BOE does not accept electronic appeal submissions. Please mail or drop off appeal-related submissions to Thurston County BOE, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. You may use the drop box across from the BOE office (Room 241), or the Thurston County drop box in the parking lot of the Atrium at the same address. If you wish to submit additional evidence for your appeal, a copy must also be provided to the Assessor's Office. Both the BOE's and the Assessor's copies need to be submitted prior to 21-business days before a scheduled hearing in order to be considered at the hearing.
The Assessor's Office sent 2025 Official Property Value Change Notices for residential and commercial real property, new construction, and personal property on October 10, 2025. The DEADLINE to file an appeal was December 9, 2025. There are very few exceptions for good cause waivers for filing an appeal after the deadline. See the "Assessment Appeals (2025)" section for more information. Also, answers to your BOE questions can be found in "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" and "The Appeal Process" page. Forms to request authorization to file a late appeal are on the "BOE Forms" page.
The Board is currently hearing 2022 commercial appeals, as well as 2023 commercial and residential appeals, incorporating 2024 appeals if taxpayers have multiple-year appeals. When you receive a Hearing Notice, you will be allowed one opportunity to reschedule your hearing. You may submit additional evidence pertaining to your appeal at any time during this process -- up to 21-business days prior to a scheduled hearing. Providing effective, convincing evidence early may lead to discussions with the Assessor's Office and a possible Stipulation Agreement preventing the need for a hearing. While waiting for your appeal to go through the lengthy hearing process, please be sure and pay property taxes when due to avoid accruing interest and penalty fees.
BOE Overview and Current Members
The Thurston County Board of Equalization is a quasi-judicial board comprised of three citizen members who are appointed for three-year terms by the Thurston County Commissioners. Three alternate members are also appointed by the County Commissioners to serve when regular Board members are absent. The Board is established by the laws of Washington State and governed by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR), pursuant to RCW 84.08.020 and 84.08.060.
The Board is separate from and operates independently of the Thurston County Assessor. It adjudicates appeals of assessed property valuations and other determinations of the Assessor, with a goal of providing an impartial and economical forum to hear and decide appeals brought by taxpayers. The Board is also responsible for equalizing the assessed values so that all real and personal properties in Thurston County are assessed equitably at 100 percent of their true and fair value, with comparable properties assessed at comparable values.
Hearings of the Board are open to the public except for confidential proceedings involving proprietary business information. Hearings are held during business hours, currently via a conference call format.
The Board’s Clerk and staff are employees of Thurston County; however, they perform their duties under the direction, and serve at the pleasure, of the Board, pursuant to RCW 84.48.028.
Current members of the Board are:
- John Graver, Chair
- Diane Pust, Vice Chair
- Ted May
Alternate Members of the Board are:
- David Saavedra
- Ron Germeaux
- Vacant
Board of Equalization
Mailing Address
3000 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501