Pierce County marks Memorial Day and Public Works Week; auditor highlights awards for election transparency

Pierce County Council used its May 19 meeting to adopt proclamations for Memorial Day (May 25) and National Public Works Week (May 17–23) and to recognize county employees and volunteer leaders.

Council members invited Jane Hughes of Gold Star Families of Washington and State Representative Levitt to speak in support of Memorial Day observances. The proclamation urged residents to observe the national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

The council also honored Planning and Public Works staff for the county’s infrastructure responsibilities. Josh Diekman, director of Planning and Public Works, thanked the council and highlighted the department’s extensive inventory — including thousands of lane miles, stormwater facilities and other assets — and the year‑round response duties of the staff.

Auditor Farmer said Pierce County received two national awards from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for improvements to ballot‑drop‑box chain of custody and for an elections process video series meant to increase transparency. Farmer described how the county’s IT team built an in‑house ballot‑tracking program after a third‑party vendor discontinued support, and that the county’s drop‑box collection is performed by two‑person teams, with time‑and‑date seals and GPS tracking of vehicles.

“Your vote matters, and so does protecting it,” Auditor Farmer said when describing the new chain‑of‑custody procedures. The auditor invited community members to observe operations, take ride‑alongs with ballot collection teams or attend an observer corridor at the elections center.

No council votes were required for the proclamations and recognitions; the awards and proclamations were presented for the record and to acknowledge county staff and community partners.