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Public commenters press Pierce County on septic program delays, body‑camera recordings and representation
Summary
Public commenters urged Pierce County on Feb. 18 to accelerate a DIY septic inspection program, sought sheriff epartment review of body‑camera recordings from a 2022 incident, and questioned the lack of Black attendees in the chamber.
Members of the public used the Pierce County Council—ommunity forum on Feb. 18 to press county officials on three recurring local concerns: delays in a do‑it‑yourself septic inspection program, requests for transparency about sheriff eputy body‑camera recordings from an October 2022 incident, and a question about the visible absence of African American residents in the meeting chamber.
A speaker identified as Dewey told the council he has pushed for a DIY septic inspection program since 2021 and said county work on the program has been slow. "It seems like a long time to be working on something," Dewey said, recounting contact with county staff dating to 2021 and 2023 and noting he had not received requested timeline information from health‑department staff. He said the Washington State Department of Health has a training video on septic inspections and that state staff told him individuals may use that video to inspect gravity and pressurized systems.
Another resident, Thomas Wood, described a 2022 law‑enforcement incident at his residence and said recordings provided to him differ from files uploaded to the county portal; he asked for sheriff epartment leadership to meet and explain who authorized the deputies who came to his home. "By the end of the week, I would love to just sit down and have a conversation with somebody from leadership," Wood said.
Student Sandria Tucker asked why there were no other Black faces in the chamber that evening and said community issues affecting Tacoma and Pierce County deserve open discussion in public meetings.
Councilmembers responded with follow-up commitments and context. Councilmember Morrell acknowledged historical friction with the health department on housing remediation policies and urged a policy review process; he said the health department rewrote certain policies in the past after multi‑year delays. Councilmember Kuver (speaking in remarks recorded earlier) asked that staff bring a briefing to a council study session or a Health & Human Services meeting to review the DIY inspection concept and Pierce County’s specific requirements. Councilmember Cooper urged urgency and said moving past obstacles to enable a DIY inspection option would reduce a perception of government incompetence among constituents.
Council staff and members stated they will continue to reach out to request information; the transcript records that the council intended to follow up on septic‑program questions and to pursue additional staff briefings but no formal direction or vote occurred during community forum.
The council closed the community forum after the three public comments and returned to business; no formal actions were taken in response during the Feb. 18 meeting.
