Thurston County

Thurston County facilities are now open to the public with restrictions, including maintaining physical distancing of at least six feet at all times and, per the Washington State Secretary of Health’s face covering order wearing a cloth face covering or mask. If you come to county facilities, please be prepared for potentially long wait times or lines due to distancing guidelines. We continue to encourage residents to access county services online, by phone, by email, or through the use of drop boxes located outside of county buildings.
The availability of remote services vary by office and department.

Hot Topics and Events

COVID-19 Update

On June 23, Thurston County was approved to move to Phase 3 of the 'Safe Start' recovery plan. On June 22, the Governor issued a state-wide face covering directive.

For the most updated, daily case numbers, visit the PHSS COVID-19 data page. Numbers are updated at 3:00 p.m. daily.

Public Health and Social Services; COVID-19

08_07_2020 Dr. Abdelmalek's Letter to Community

State Dept of Health Website and Data

Thurston Strong - EDC Resource for Businesses

Letter to Superintendents

Election Results for the August 4 Primary

Current election results for the Tuesday, August 4, 2020 primary are available at: results.vote.wa.gov/results/20200804/thurston/. Ballots continue to be counted. You can find daily election updates on the Thurston County Auditor's Office website.

Current Results

Daily Updates

Health Advisory in Effect for Lake Lawrence due to Algae Bloom

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services has issued a health advisory for Lake Lawrence due to a toxic algae bloom producing unsafe levels of microcystin. Lab results show toxin levels at the sample site are 43 ug/L. The state advisory level for microcystin is 8 ug/L. The health advisory will remain in place until samples are within safe levels.

News Release

Toxic Algae Information

Thurston County Burn Ban – Countywide Outdoor Burn Ban

The Thurston County Fire Marshal, in consultation with the County Manager, the Board of County Commissioners, the Thurston County Director of Emergency Services, and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), determined current weather conditions within the county have met the fire danger level necessary to enact restrictions on outdoor burning to all lands regulated by Thurston County. The Thurston County Outdoor Burn Ban is effective as of 3 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2020, and ending Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

News Release

Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan

The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update on Wednesday, August 19, at 7 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to attend virtually and testify. If unable to attend, you may submit a written comment. The Planning Commission will provide a link to the meeting on their agenda, posted one week before the meeting, at: thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/pc-meetings.aspx. An online open house is available until the hearing, where you can learn more about the proposed changes.

News Release

Planning Commission Meetings

Comprehensive Plan Update

Online Open House

You Count. Be Counted: Census 2020

The 2020 Census will count every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. The data can help inform where your community needs a new fire department, more funding for school lunches, new roads, and much more. Billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources every year based on census data. Please respond for your home online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more about the 2020 Census at https://2020census.gov/.

2020 Census: What is the Census?

2020census.gov

2020 Census Flyer

Folleto del Censo 2020

Điều tra dân số năm 2020

Budd Inlet Remains Closed for Shellfish Harvesting

Budd Inlet remains closed for all species of shellfish harvest, due to biotoxin. Remember that the status of any shellfish beach can change from day to day so please check the DOH Shellfish Website prior to harvesting schellfish off any shellfish beach.

DOH Shellfish Website

DOH Information on DSP

Addressing Homelessness As A Region

On June 14, 2018, the Thurston County Board of Health (BoH) declared homelessness a public health crisis in Thurston County. Learn more about what Thurston County is doing to address homelessness at the links below.

Homelessness Website

Homeless Crisis Response Plan News Story

Commissioner Seek Volunteers for Advisory Boards

The Board of County Commissioners continue to see citizen volunteers to fill vacancies on the 22 advisory boards, commissions, committees, and councils.

Boards and Commissions Website