Thurston County

Hot Topics and Events

Board of Commissioners Approve Putting Measure on General Election Ballot to Increase Board From Three to Five Commissioners

Following a public hearing on Tuesday, July 19, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) passed a resolution in a 3-0 vote to put a ballot measure forward in the general election to ask the voters to increase the number of Thurston County Commissioners from three to five. If the ballot proposition receives majority voter approval, voters will vote incumbents into the two newly created positions during the general election in 2023.

News Release

Resolution

More Information

How Should Thurston County Use ARPA Funds?

Thurston County has opened an online survey to gather public input on which project areas they would like to see funded with $10 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the county received to address the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county received $56.4 million in ARPA funds, and some projects are already underway. Please take the survey at the link below!

News Release

Survey

HCP Public Comment Period Now Open

The county is preparing to start permitting under its federally-approved habitat conservation plan in 2023. Public review of the proposed HCP regulations is happening now through October 4. Check it out, visit the online HCP Open House, and submit a comment. Links below.

HCP Online Open House

Proposed HCP Ordinance

HCP Comment Form (Check out the open house first!)

Thurston County Justice Assistance Grant Program Notification

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of disruptions, including to the law and justice system. Restrictions and court closures, as a result of the pandemic, has created a backlog of cases in Thurston County. The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is applying for a grant to conduct a workload study to estimate the appropriate number of Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys needed to address this backlog.

Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program - Public Notification

Commissioners Seek Volunteers for Advisory Boards

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

Boards and Commissions Website

Check-In for Visitors

Visitors to Building 1, Public Health and Social Services on Lilly Road, and the Clerk's Office in Building 2 must check-in by using the link below, scanning the QRCode before entering the building, or using the Kiosk system upon entry. Check-in is not currently required for the Building Development Center or Commissioner's Office in Building 1.

QMatic Check-In

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. On February 24, 2021, Thurston County announced the signing of the interlocal agreement between Thurston County and the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm (as the representative of south county) to form the Regional Housing Council.

Homelessness Website

Regional Housing Council Website

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