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Council approves modest stipends for community engagement committees and children‑and‑youth work group
Summary
Pierce County Council approved two resolutions on April 21 allowing modest compensation for members of Human Services application evaluation committees and for an Office of Children and Youth work group; staff said the annual fiscal impact is minimal (about $900) and payments are limited by county code to a $1,200 annual cap per person.
Pierce County Council voted April 21 to permit modest compensation for community participants on two county convened bodies under Pierce County Code chapter 2.4 (Community Engagement Financial Support).
Resolution R2026‑137 authorizes members of Department of Human Services application evaluation committees (AECs) to be eligible for compensation. Paul Bokey, principal policy analyst, summarized chapter 2.4 and said AECs — typically composed of three to five county staff and community members — evaluate funding applications. Staff identified likely funding sources for payments as violence prevention (general fund), housing and homelessness (special revenue) and behavioral health funds, and estimated the fiscal impact at roughly $900 annually.
Resolution R2026‑139 authorizes compensation for members of an Office of Children and Youth work group created under earlier ordinance to study the feasibility of a county Office of Children and Youth. Bokey said the work group may require significant time and that financial barriers could prevent representative participation; the proposal designates funds from the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Act (PASTA) special revenue fund. Annika Moran, deputy director of Human Services, described the administrative process: eligible participants must submit an income attestation and an invoice for each meeting; county program staff verify attendance and Human Services processes payments.
Speakers on both sides debated principles and fiscal stewardship. Council member Cooper argued funding stipends risks poor stewardship of tax dollars and could expand over time. "I don't think it shows a very good stewardship of the tax dollars we get by giving this away," Cooper said. Supporters, including Council member Ayala, said compensation lowers barriers for low‑income residents and improves representation. Ayala urged tracking actual usage and reporting back to the council at year end.
Council votes: R2026‑137 passed by roll call (4 ayes, 3 nays). R2026‑139 likewise passed by roll call (4 ayes, 3 nays). The county noted code caps stipends at $50 per meeting (with a higher $100 cap for youth 24 and younger) and an annual code cap of $1,200 per person.
Provenance: discussion and votes for R2026‑137 appear beginning at SEG 918; R2026‑139 discussion begins at SEG 1022 and questions run through SEG 1323.
