Board hears public comment on salary commission changes; refers ordinance back for staff options and work session

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on April 15 held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to revise county code for the Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials to conform to 2023 changes in state law.

Human Resources Director Maria Aponte told the board the proposed code updates would expand commissioner-district representation from three to five seats to align with five county commissioner districts and otherwise adjust how members are selected to meet the state statute. The draft maintains four seats filled by appointments who must meet experience criteria in personnel management or a related field; the draft language lists “organized labor” as an example.

Multiple speakers from the public urged the board to retain a dedicated seat for an organized-labor representative. Public commenters included Mr. Markley, Britny Miller and Rochelle Martin (president, Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council), each saying organized labor candidates were available and urging the preservation of a designated labor seat.

After receiving public comment the board closed the hearing. Commissioners discussed next steps and ultimately directed staff to prepare ordinance language options and schedule a work session so the board could consider alternatives, including the public request to preserve a labor seat. The board did not adopt the ordinance at the April 15 meeting; instead it passed a motion to have staff bring revised options to a future work session for board consideration.