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Commissioners pause appointments to salary commission, consider letter asking commission to forgo raises
Summary
The board delayed action on two applicants to the Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials pending ordinance changes and additional recruitment; Commissioner Mejia proposed sending a letter asking the commission not to consider salary increases given the county's budget outlook.
Thurston County commissioners agreed to pause filling two vacancies on the Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials while they complete an ordinance change and expand recruitment.
The Board reviewed two applications — one submitted in November and a second received in late February — for seats on the commission. Commissioner Mejia requested more time for recruitment and raised the prospect of sending a letter to the salary commission asking it not to consider pay increases for elected officials this cycle, citing the county's current budget outlook.
Amy Davis, clerk of the board, confirmed two seats are open: the organized labor representative and the legal professional representative; commissioners noted the ordinance change will make those seats more flexible and allow different classifications. Commissioners discussed timing: the ordinance-setting public hearing is scheduled for April 15, and the Board agreed to hold appointments until after the ordinance is in place to permit broader recruitment under the revised classification.
"I would like a little bit more time," Commissioner Mejia said, asking that the Board consider a letter to the salary commission requesting it not study salary increases at this time. Other commissioners expressed openness to the idea and asked that the item be added for discussion at next week's meeting. HR and clerk staff said they would continue outreach and confirm applicant interest; one application had been pending since November.
No formal appointments or decisions on a letter took place during the work session; commissioners directed staff to advertise the reclassified seats, to continue outreach and to place a discussion item about a letter to the salary commission on the next meeting agenda.
