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EC elects chair and vice chair, and approves delaying 2025 regional VMT initiative to 2026

Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative Executive Committee · December 8, 2025

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Summary

The Executive Committee elected Eileen Swartout as chair and Emily Clouse as vice chair and voted to delay the 2025 regional VMT gap‑analysis initiative until 2026 to align with comprehensive‑plan updates and staff capacity constraints.

At the April 28 meeting the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative elected officers and approved a staff recommendation to delay a scheduled 2025 regional initiative.

Officer elections: The EC nominated and approved Emily Clouse (Thurston County Commissioner, District 5) to serve as vice chair and confirmed Eileen Swartout as chair; both accepted the nominations and will take office at the close of the meeting as required by the EC charter.

Delay of 2025 regional initiative: Staff recommended postponing the 2025 regional initiative — a gap analysis of jurisdictional plans and policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) — until 2026. Staff cited limited staff capacity across jurisdictions and a benefit to aligning the analysis with comprehensive‑plan updates (deadlines moved to December 2025). Emily Clouse moved to delay implementation to 2026; Carolyn Cox seconded the motion and the EC voted in favor.

Staff clarified that no funds have yet been spent on the initiative and that budget allocations remain with individual jurisdictions. Jurisdictions may carry forward or reallocate those funds in their 2026 budgets if they choose.