Commissioners report on co‑response unit, timber tour, racial equity summit, upcoming court hearing and possible facility tour

Thurston County commissioners used their May 21 check‑in to report on a range of programs and events, including a co‑response mental‑health unit, a tour of Department of Natural Resources properties, a racial equity summit and an upcoming state Supreme Court hearing in a public defense funding case.

Vice Chair Wayne Fournier said he attended a virtual meeting of a fire commissioners group where Olympia Fire’s CARES co‑response program was described. Fournier said the CARES unit supplements first responders on low‑acuity calls by providing social work supports, follow‑up visits, and assistance with minor home adaptations such as installing grab bars. He said presenters included a CARES program director (named as Celine in the meeting) and Ben Miller Todd, who discussed Suboxone and the opioid response rollout.

Chair Ty Mentzer reported on a Board of Natural Resources tour that included a DNR commercial property near Hawks Prairie, two sites in Capitol State Forest focused on forest maturation stages, and public‑access sites such as Mima Mounds and the McLean Nature Trail. Mentzer said the tour allowed discussion of DNR decisions about leasing, selling and timing of harvests and included conversation with a University of Washington representative, Dan Brown.

Mentzer also described the Thurston First TEI Summit breakout for elected officials where he and Commissioner Caroline Mejia were asked about connecting racial equity councils across jurisdictions. Mentzer volunteered the county to host an initial meeting for councils in September to discuss shared goals; he said the county's role would be limited to hosting and setting an agenda.

Commissioner Emily Clouse and others reported on the WASAC board of directors; Mentzer provided a specific date for a court hearing, saying the Washington State Supreme Court will hear a summary judgment on a standing issue in the public defense funding case on June 16 at 11 a.m., with 15 minutes per side scheduled.

Commissioner Caroline Mejia said she and Commissioner Grant had toured a Connections facility previously and that several community partners have expressed interest in visiting a King County behavioral health drop‑in/crisis care unit; she asked interested commissioners to coordinate scheduling with County Manager Leonard Hernandez and staff member Joe Avalos, with the week of June 9 mentioned as a possible timeframe.

No formal votes or board actions were taken on these reports during the meeting.