Thurston County staff on Wednesday told commissioners they have begun operational changes that materially reduced a multi-year Board of Equalization backlog but that several hundred appeals still require resolution.

Maria Ponta, the county’s HR director who presented the update, explained the BOE’s role under state law as a quasi‑judicial body that hears appeals of property valuations. She said the board recently elected John Braver as chair, Diane Post as vice chair and Ted May as a member, and noted the BOE is supported by two full‑time administrative staff who handle intake, scheduling and decisions.

Ponta reviewed historical caseloads and attributed the large spike in filings in 2021–2022 partly to commercial filings and to the switch to electronic filing, which increased incomplete petitions. She said staff began using a hearings examiner in October 2024, which allowed more hearings to be scheduled; staff also began bundling multiple-year petitions for the same petitioner, discontinued online filing to reduce incompletes, and redirected administrative assistance to drafting orders.

"At first, we were concerned... then [the hearings examiner] has helped us move things along," Ponta said, reporting that between October 2024 and October 2025 staff heard 278 cases, processed withdrawals and stipulations, and issued hundreds of orders and dismissals.

Commissioners discussed whether the Board of County Commissioners could augment hearing capacity by hearing cases directly on additional dates, but staff cautioned that coordination with the assessor’s office and clerical support requirements limit what the board can reasonably absorb without more resources or a formal change in assignment.

Ponta said staff will continue process improvements and coordinate with the assessor’s office and the Department of Revenue as needed; she estimated the remaining backlog will take several years to clear while new yearly filings continue to arrive.