Thurston County, Washington

UPDATED PHONE SCAM ALERT

Scam calls and emails are impersonating county employees and services: Permitting, Courts, Pretrial staff and Sheriff's Office deputies. Court staff don't call jurors, and Sheriff's deputies do not collect fines by phone. Report scams to Thurston County Sheriff's non-emergency line at 360-704-2740 and you can verify your Jury Service by clicking here. Click here for office or department contact info.

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
Logo

Thurston County Washington

Thurston County Board of Health Composition Changes

May 8, 2026
Announcement of Thurston County's new 10-member Board of Health including tribal and regional representation.

CONTACT: Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us; Dr. Jen Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Thurston County Board of Health Composition Changes
To expand tribal and regional representation

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of Health has updated its membership structure, reducing the total number of members from 12 to 10. The change expands tribal representation to include individuals from the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, and Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, and enhances regional representation by including a rotating elected official from one of the south Thurston County cities of Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, and Yelm to represent the South County and its unique needs.

This new ten-member Board of Health composition was adopted to comply with RCW 70.05.030 to include: 

  • 3 county commissioner members from the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners.
  • 2 city seats as appointed by the city
    • (1) Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater – serves a two-year term
    • (2) South County - Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, Bucoda
  • 3 tribal representatives as approved by the American Indian Health Commission:
    • Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Nisqually Indian Tribe, & Squaxin Island Tribe
  • 2 community member seats
    • One member representing public health, health care facilities, and providers
    • One member representing other community stakeholders, non-profits, and/or business owners
  • 2 non-voting youth representatives 
    • For the first time in Thurston County Board of Health history, two youth representatives were selected to bring about the youth voice. This was an exciting change in 2026. While non-voting members, the primary and alternate youth representatives will be able to voice how services, media, and outreach include this vital population within our county.

This change to the Board of Health’s composition aligns with recent updates to Washington State legislation regarding tribal representation on local boards of health. It also supports the public interest by increasing inclusion of smaller, more rural communities across Thurston County. The amendment strengthens opportunities to expand community partnerships and help reduce health disparities. 

“This is a landmark achievement by our Public Health and Social Services staff and by our Board of Health,” said Thurston County Manager Leonard Hernandez. “Decisions that affect these Tribes and younger generations will now be made with them at the table. I want to extend my deepest thanks to our PHSS staff and Board of Health for their patient, steady efforts over the years. Because of their persistence, the wisdom of our Tribal partners and the energy of our future generations will now be woven into the fabric of our decision making.”

The Board of County Commissioners set a public hearing for June 23, 2026, at 3:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on the proposed ordinance amending Thurston County Code Section 2.07.010 - Board of Health Composition, to align with RCW 70.05.030 as it pertains to tribal membership.

Learn more at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/boh