Council approves consent agenda including Washington CARES Fund contract increase and two Conservation Futures appointees

The Pierce County Council unanimously approved the consent agenda on Oct. 21, which included a Section 17 notice and associated request from the Human Services Department regarding the Washington CARES Fund contract and staffing, and the confirmation of two appointees to the Conservation Futures and Open Space board.

Staff explained the Section 17 notice as required by the county’s biennial budget rules: the Washington CARES Fund contract — a state‑sponsored long‑term care program administered in partnership with the Department of Social and Health Services — had an initial contract dated 07/01/2023 and, effective 07/01/2025, the total funding available to Pierce County increased from $315,000 to $1,470,329. The county’s Human Services Aging and Disability Resources division requested six FTEs funded 100% by the contract proceeds: four case managers, one case manager supervisor, and one social services program specialist. Staff confirmed the $1.47 million allocation is a one‑year award tied to the state fiscal year and said they expect renewal but noted the funding is not guaranteed beyond the current allocation.

Also on the consent agenda the council confirmed two appointees: Margaret “Kit” Ellis, who described decades of conservation work on family forestland and service with the Great Peninsula Conservancy, and Eric Schneider, a Graham resident and caretaker at Morris Wildlife Preserve with national conservation policy experience. The council invited both to speak briefly; both described conservation work and local stewardship priorities.

The clerk called the roll and the consent agenda was adopted 7–0.