This month my fellow commissioners and I appointed seven members to the newly established Agritourism Advisory Committee. The committee will make recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding various issues including our Agritourism Overlay District and the Thurston Bountiful Byway.

It is my hope, that by creating the Agritourism Advisory Committee we will be able to promote a new kind of tourism in Thurston County. The program will highlight the bounty of our region and showcase not only the beauty of the area but the hospitality of our rural citizens.

If you'd like to make a difference in your community by serving on one of Thurston County's many Boards or Committees click here to see a list of current vacancies.

Next week, the Commissioners are holding several public hearings on the proposed 2016 Budget. The good news is that there has been modest growth in sales tax revenue and construction value. The bad news is that the cost of providing programs and services to the public continues to outpace revenue.

2016 budget deliberations have been very difficult, and my seat mates and I have had to make some tough choices. We landed on what we consider to be a maintenance level preliminary budget, totaling about $330 million. Now, we are encouraging the public to participate in this process by attending our public hearings on Monday and Tuesday. All hearings will be held in Building 1, Room 280 at the Thurston County Courthouse (2000 Lakeridge Dr SW).

Monday, December 7

• 1:30pm - Law and Justice Budget Hearing including District, Juvenile, and Superior Court; the Clerk's Office; the Sheriff's Office; the Office of Assigned Counsel; and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• 4:00pm - General Government Budget Hearing including the Auditor's Office, the Assessor's Office, the Commissioners' Office, and the Treasurer's Office
• 6:00pm - The Board will take any general questions and comments on the 2016 Budget

Tuesday, December 8

• 1:30pm - Transportation, Environment and Land Use Budget Hearing including the Resource Stewardship and Public Works departments
• 4:00pm - Health and Human Services Budget Hearing including the Coroner, Public Health and Social Services, and Emergency Services
• 6:00pm - The Board will take any general questions and comments on the 2016 Budget

Click here to review 2016 preliminary budget documents.

• In case of power outages (due to heavy, wet snow): Do NOT run a generator or burn charcoal in an enclosed space. Never operate an un-vented gas-burning appliance in a closed room or in a room in which you are sleeping. Opening doors and windows or using fans will NOT prevent carbon monoxide buildup from burning charcoal or a running generator.
• Do not walk across or touch downed power lines.
• Avoid overexertion. Pace yourself when shoveling wet and heavy snow.
• Clear flat roofs of snow.
• Check on elderly friends and neighbors-before, during and after extreme weather events.
• Avoid driving in snowy or icy conditions. If you must drive, keep an emergency kit in your car that includes bottled water and high energy, non-perishable food, an extra blanket, warm clothes, a battery-powered flashlight and extra batteries. Also, please let a friend or relative know when you're leaving, your destination, and when you expect to arrive.
• Stay tuned to local media for updates and advisories. Keep a battery-powered radio and extra batteries handy.

Click here to learn more about Thurston County Emergency Management

Once a month I meet with community members in Rainier, Yelm and Lacey for informal coffee chats on a wide variety of local issues. This year's speakers included the president of South Puget Sound Community College, the director of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Commander, the Public Health and Social Services director, the Assessor, and more. The next meeting will be held Monday, January 25. Stay tuned for more details!

January Coffee Chat info will be posted here.