Thurston County delays new contracts with Community Action Council pending legal, audit review

Thurston County commissioners on Wednesday asked staff to return three grant applications naming Community Action Council (CAC) to the Regional Housing Council (RHC) for reconsideration and to bring back contract language revisions and legal and audit reviews before proceeding.

The board flagged the applications after staff briefed commissioners that CAC is the RHC's recommended recipient for three awards: $72,700 for basic needs (hygiene and household supplies, emergency hotel stays, car repairs), an estimated $328,000 for eviction-prevention rent assistance serving single adults, seniors and veterans, and $5,000 for diversity, equity and inclusion training and support. County staff said contracts would be developed for board approval at the June 17 meeting but sought direction from commissioners first.

Commissioners cited multiple continuing concerns tied to a prior federal recoupment and an internal audit. "I do have a lot of hesitance with moving forward with these," Commissioner Mejia said, noting the county's earlier need to…