County highlights Resource Hub services as residents urge action on Lake Lawrence, building amnesty and pool

Thurston County Manager Leonard Hernandez presented the Resource Hub's 2025 year-in-review March 31, saying the county's hub served 1,039 people last year, with 79.75% aged 25'3 and 39% self-reporting as unhoused.

"The hub is open to the public. Stop by anytime 10:00 to 4:00 Monday to Thursday," Carrie Hannon, director of pre-trial services and Resource Hub partner, told commissioners. Hernandez and Hannon highlighted connections to health and recovery partners, weekly food distributions in partnership with the Thurston County Food Bank, and an Aug. 19 Resource Hub block party.

During public comment, Barry Halverson, co-chair of the Lake Lawrence Lake Management District, urged support for an ordinance to move the LMD renewal to a May 5, 2026 final hearing on roles and rates. Halverson told the board the renewal ballot counted 249 votes (210 yes, 39 no) and described a 90% weighted approval.

Other commenters raised varied county issues: Bo Foster asked the board to consider a time-limited building-amnesty program for older unpermitted residential and commercial structures (modeled on a 2008'2010 Pierce County program) that would evaluate life-safety and septic systems and offer alternative compliance options; Henry Walls urged commissioners to keep the Evergreen pool and community recreation center open, citing programs that serve students and seniors; Dalton Coe warned against implementing facial-recognition based AI security systems, citing false-positive risks that can disproportionately affect non-white residents.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments and noted follow-up items: the Lake Lawrence ordinance was scheduled for a May 5 public hearing on roles and rates; staff will review written materials submitted by commenters and may return with options or referrals for further study. The board announced its next regular meeting for April 21, 2026.