OLYMPIA – This morning, the Board of County Commissioners met with the county elected officials, department directors, and other county leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving situation involving COVID-19. The commissioners made actions to support the messaging from Governor Jay Inslee directing social distancing, including not holding meetings larger than 50 people and if fewer than 50, take measures to ensure social distancing.
Actions made by the BoCC included:
- Canceling the March 17, 2020 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
- The board will discuss future meetings this week to determine how to move forward with county business while protecting the public.
- Canceling the March 17, 2020 Transportation Benefit District meeting.
- Adding live-streaming to all board work sessions, not just the regular agenda setting and BoCC meetings.
- Suspending all advisory boards, commissions, committees, and councils overseen by the Board of County Commissioners for at least four weeks.
- Asking all elected officials and department directors to submit plans to the county manager for how essential functions would continue if there was a partial government shutdown.
- The focus of the plans should address how the county will continue to support the public during a potential partial shutdown.
- The plans will be compiled to determine potential voids and how to address those potential voids in service.
“We are taking these measures to help protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations in Thurston County and lead by example,” said Commission Chair John Hutchings. “We will continue to assess and take additional measures to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 throughout our community.”
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