Commission on Equity reports: equity map launch, national survey results coming, and regional joint meeting planned

City staff reported on July 28 that the City of Lacey’s equity map is live and available for staff and public review, and that results from a statistically valid National Community Survey will be shared with the commission in August.

Staff described where work-plan items stand for 2025: several engagement items and the DEIB regional summit were completed in the first half of the year; the commission’s recommendations have led to an equity map launch and an employee survey that the city is analyzing. Outstanding items include finalizing a paid community liaison program for a proposed 2026 budget recommendation, reconvening department equity teams, recruiting advisory board members, and conducting targeted focus groups (next planned focus group will target ages 18–25 and coordinate with St. Martin’s University and South Puget Sound Community College).

Shannon, a city staff member reporting to the commission, said the equity map went live last week and that staff will promote it via the city’s newsletter and social media. Staff said the community survey included a 3,000-address random-sample mailing that produced a statistically valid dataset and a separate public-response set; staff expect to present a dashboard and analysis in August that will allow filtering by demographic and geographic subsets.

The commission set tentative calendar items and joint engagements: a commission retreat on Sept. 6 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.), and a larger regional meeting on Sept. 22 to be hosted tentatively at the Thurston County atrium. The Sept. 22 agenda is expected to include an ALICE report presentation (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) to provide county-level baseline data for coordinated planning. Staff also proposed a joint session with the Human Services Commission to align equity and human-services priorities and recommended inviting representatives from neighboring jurisdictions and school districts for focused policy discussions.

Commissioners raised a request to pursue clearer, formal opportunities to engage local school-board policymakers on education-related equity issues (disproportionality in discipline, graduation gaps and student achievement). Staff said the joint meeting model can be adapted to accommodate targeted discussions with school board leaders if the commission pursues a separate, focused forum.

Staff emphasized timing: a paid community liaison policy recommendation will be brought to the commission before being forwarded to City Council as a 2026 budget request; other items such as the 2024 DEIB annual update were put on hold to allow a full-year review at the end of 2025 once national-survey baselines are complete.