Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves amended assessment rules for Long Lake Management District No. 25 after residents debate fairness
Summary
After public comment that included a 138-signature petition challenging the assessment method, Thurston County commissioners adopted a resolution amending assessment roles for Long Lake Management District No. 25, reinstating a 95% senior/disabled discount and adding a $300 park credit; the resolution passed with four votes in favor and one abstention.
Thurston County commissioners on Thursday approved a resolution adopting an amended role of assessments for Long Lake Management District No. 25 (Long Lake), following public testimony both in favor and opposed to the proposed assessment methodology.
Michael Exeter, identified in the record as the steering committee president for the Long Lake Management District, told the board the steering committee unanimously recommended two changes before adoption: reinstating a 95% discount for seniors and disabled property owners and adding a $300 credit for the City of Lacey park assessment. Exeter said those adjustments would bring the total assessment roll under the $325,000 cap the committee had been working to respect.
Several residents spoke during the hearing. Steve Mower, Long Lake Management Committee secretary, said the committee had unanimously supported renewal and encouraged participation in open committee seats. Linda Wolf, a 26‑year Long Lake resident and volunteer on the lake’s weed-patrol, credited the district’s work with keeping the lake free of toxic algae this year and urged continued support.
Chad Booth, speaking for himself and citing 138 petition signers, objected to the proposed assessment rule and argued it did not follow Washington statutory methods for calculating special assessments. "The assessment amounts are not calculated by one of the four permissible ways in the RCW," Booth said, referencing RCW 36.61.160 as cited in his remarks. He argued a flat fee for upland parcels is unfair compared with lakeshore owners who pay by linear footage.
County staff reported they consulted legal counsel and said the public hearing could proceed because no parcels were being added and assessments were not being raised; staff recommended moving forward with the resolution and incorporating the steering committee’s revisions. Commissioners expressed appreciation for resident engagement and for the reinstated senior/disabled discount.
The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution; the record shows the vote was four in favor and one abstention. The resolution adopts the amended assessment role for LMD No. 25, including the senior/disabled discount and the $300 City of Lacey park credit, and directs clerks and staff to finalize the administrative revisions. No additional contested procedural actions were taken at the hearing.
