Thurston County previews Aug. 19 agenda, approves Summit Lake settlement

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners reviewed a packed Aug. 19 agenda during an Aug. 12 agenda‑setting work session and unanimously approved a settlement agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources concerning Summit Lake lands and timber.

The vote to approve the settlement came after an executive-session discussion of litigation and related enforcement matters. The board’s motion to approve the settlement carried unanimously. Commissioners present at the session were Chair Ty Manser, Vice Chair Commissioner Fournier, Commissioner Emily Klaus, Commissioner Caroline Mejia and Commissioner Rachel Grant.

The agenda preview covered multiple items staff plan to bring to the board next week. Central services requested authorization to call for sealed bids to renovate a new sheriff’s office at 1111 Israel Road in Tumwater, describing a roughly 56,000‑square‑foot remodel that would add a security fence and an emergency generator. Central services staff said the project is part of capital project C34402, is estimated to cost between $2 million and $3 million, and is funded by the county’s public‑safety sales tax and the 2025–26 capital improvement plan.

District court staff told commissioners they will seek approval to add 17 full‑time equivalent positions to support an interlocal agreement with the city of Olympia to assume certain Olympia court services. The requested positions include a court commissioner, two court support managers, a calendar coordinator, court assistant 1 and 2 positions, adult probation counselor 2, adult probation clerk, a mental‑health and veterans court coordinator and an administrative assistant. Staff said the positions would be funded by charges to the city of Olympia and that Olympia employees would need to apply for the newly posted positions rather than transferring automatically.

Public health and social services described several items on next week’s agenda: a contract amendment with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for work‑first children with special needs services; a request to set a Sept. 30 public hearing on a substantial amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2024 annual action plan to reallocate funds from the Maple Court conversion project to the France Anderson permanent supportive housing project; and an interagency agreement with the Department of Commerce for encampment‑resolution program (ERP) funding of $4,080,000. Commissioners and staff discussed coordination with the cities of Olympia and Lacey and said Commerce had been responsive to the county’s regional requests.

Central services also briefed the board on a proposed property transfer of two Lacey parcels at 5501 and 5505 Southeast 30th Court to Homes First, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Staff said the proposed transfer price is $2, the properties had been leased at $1 per year through 2056, and the transfer includes a reversion clause that returns the property to the county if Homes First ceases to use it for affordable housing. Staff framed the transfer as meeting the public‑benefit language of RCW 39.33.015 and aligning with the county strategic plan objective to reduce homelessness.

The sheriff’s office reported receipt of a subrecipient grant from Washington State Parks — funds that flow via the U.S. Coast Guard — totaling $42,877.40 to purchase two additional personal watercraft and a trailer for the county marine services program for patrol and water‑safety education. Sheriff’s staff said the county already operates two jet skis, two boats and a trailer and that the grant would supplement those assets and support training and interagency use.

Public works sought board direction to set a Sept. 16 public hearing on a proposed ordinance change to remove storm and surface water utility rates from Thurston County Code chapter 15.06 and instead authorize rates by board resolution as part of the budget process. Public works staff said the change is administrative, intended to align rate setting with periodic budget procedures. Staff also previewed proposed speed‑limit changes on several local roads and said notices and field postings were available for the public to review.

Other items covered at the session included a request to approve a sole‑source purchase of ventilator and monitor mounts for 14 medic units, a public‑defense funding agreement renewal with the Washington State Office of Public Defense (the award was described as roughly 50% smaller than last year, from about $150,000 to $75,000), a Superior Court interagency agreement to accept up to $25,000 for protection‑order pro tem coverage, and multiple public‑health contract amendments and grant administration items (including a Department of Ecology grant for Lost Lake Resort Condominium Association work).

The board paused to hold two executive sessions under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to consult with legal counsel about litigation and enforcement matters before returning to public session and taking the settlement vote. The chair said board action may follow those closed sessions; in this instance the board voted to approve the Summit Lake settlement.

Votes at a glance

- Settlement agreement with Washington State Department of Natural Resources concerning Summit Lake watershed lands and timber — Motion to approve made and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously (5‑0).

What’s next

Most items reviewed at the Aug. 12 session were placed on the board’s formal Aug. 19 agenda for public hearing, approval or further action. Several items include follow‑up steps described by staff, including public hearings (Sept. 16 for stormwater rates; Sept. 30 for the HUD substantial amendment) and contract execution if the board approves funding agreements next week.