Public Health & Social Services Provides Answers to Questions on Safe Parking Project |
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Solid Waste Advisory Committee Seeking Citizen Volunteers for Committee |
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Public Hearing set for Proposed Sales Tax Increase for Affordable Housing Activities |
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In Past Seven Days
New Cases: 542
Hospitalized: 6
Deaths: 6
Since Pandemic Began:
Cases: 22,018
Hospitalized: 1,380
Deaths: 233
Recovered/Recovering: 20,566
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Great news! Salmon and other spawning fish now have access to Beaver Creek. In 2020, a barrier was removed that blocked fish from swimming upstream to lay eggs and rear young. Now, videos of fish accessing the stream show how valuable these creeks are for fish populations. Check out the recently updated Fish Passage Enhancement Program webpage to learn more.
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Join the Solid Waste Advisory Committee Today
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The Solid Waste Advisory Committee advises the Board of County Commissioners on solid waste management planning and solid waste handling and disposal. Applications are due by Tuesday, November 30.
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The Solid Waste Advisory Committee, or SWAC, has two openings. These include a resident representative and a business representative. If you have a background or interest in the management of garbage and recycling and how it affects residents, businesses, and the natural environment, please apply here by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 30. You can learn more about why waste management is important in our latest episode of Talkin' Trash!
To qualify as a resident representative, you must live in unincorporated Thurston County in Commissioner District #3. Please review the map to find your Commissioner District. To qualify as a business representative, you must represent a business operating anywhere within Thurston County. Members of the committee regularly provide their perspectives on solid waste issues to the Board of County Commissioners and assist in the development of solid waste programs and policies. If you have questions about the position or the application, contact Amanda Romero with Thurston County Public Works at amanda.romero@co.thurston.wa.us.
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Grow With the WSU Master Gardeners
of Thurston County
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The next WSU Master Gardener training in Thurston County is scheduled to begin
Friday, January 28, 2022.
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The Application period for 2022 WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Training is now open! Training topics include basic botany, integrated pest management, soil science, plant identification, disease diagnosis, and more. The deadline to apply is Friday, December 10, at 5 p.m. Tuition is $325 and covers all course training supplies and field trips. This training is provided by the Washington State University (WSU) Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program.
The 2022 training course has about 75 hours of comprehensive virtual, classroom, and field-based instruction, starting Friday, January 28, 2022 and ending Friday, June 10, 2022. After completion of training, participants are asked to share what they learned through horticultural-related community service. Visit the WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer webpage for more information, and to apply.
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Temporary Safe Parking Project Update
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Thurston County Public Health & Social Services held a public information meeting on the then proposed Temporary RV Safe Parking Project, Thursday, November 4. |
Based on a decision from the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, November 9, the county will not be moving forward with the Temporary RV Safe Parking Project at the 720 Carpenter Road site. However, the county committed to providing answers to the questions received during a public informational meeting held Thursday, November 4. Those answers are available here.
Local jurisdictions within the Regional Housing Council will continue to work toward purchasing property at Franz-Anderson Road for a longer-term, temporary location for RVs to park. Franz-Anderson Road could be used for permanent housing projects in the future to provide permanent supportive housing to more houseless individuals. You can find more information and resources on the Thurston County homepage.
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Registration Open for Stormwater Facility Inspections Workshop
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This workshop is sponsored and presented by Thurston County and the Cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater. |
Stormwater contractors, landscapers, and property management companies who maintain stormwater ponds and other related systems are invited to a free online workshop beginning Friday, December 3. This workshop includes a self-paced online course and an in-field stormwater inspections and maintenance video. Participants will receive information on stormwater facility requirements, inspections and maintenance how-to’s, in-field best management practices (BMPs), takeaway resources, and technical guidance tips.
After the workshop, attendees will understand how to help prevent flooding and property damage while keeping local streams and drinking water sources clean. The course runs from Friday, December 3, to Monday, December 20. You can register to attend here.
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Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Sales Tax Increase for Affordable Housing Activities
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The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, November 23, at 3 p.m. for a sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent to fund affordable housing activities. |
Thurston County residents have an opportunity to share their thoughts with the Board of County Commissioners on a proposed sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent to fund affordable housing activities at a public hearing on Tuesday, November 23, at 3 p.m. The proposed sales tax would affect all county residents, except for City of Olympia residents since the city has an equivalent sales tax - commonly referred to as the Home Fund - for its residents.
The public hearing will take place in Building 1, Room 280 of the Thurston County Courthouse Complex (2000 Lakeridge Drive SE in Olympia). Residents can also participate via Zoom by registering to attend here. The intent of the funds is to create affordable housing for county residents whose income is 60 percent or below the Area Median Income (AMI). You can learn more at thurstoncountywa.gov.
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Thurston County’s Storm and Surface Water Advisory Board (SSWAB) is accepting applications to fill an at-large vacancy. Members of the SSWAB advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters related to stormwater policies and programs, including environmental monitoring, stormwater pollution prevention, and more. You don’t need any special skills or qualifications other than being passionate about the county's watersheds and wanting to learn and help. You can find the application here.
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New Small Business, Nonprofit and Agriculture Grant Resources Available Now! Thurston Strong announced a new round of grant assistance for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and food system entities impacted by the COVID pandemic. Business and Nonprofit grants are funded by Thurston County through a portion of the county’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. Visit Thurston Strong to learn more.
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When inclement weather strikes, Thurston County Public Works is prepared to respond and keep your county roads open! Please bookmark the county's Travel Impacts webpage for county road closures and updates. Also, now is a great time to sign up for Thurston Community Alert to receive important notifications about floods and other hazards throughout Thurston County.
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Saturday, November 20: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.
Sunday, November 21: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.
Monday, November 22: Partly sunny, with a high near 49 and a 30 percent chance of rain.
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Stay current on upcoming public hearings, meetings, and work sessions by bookmarking the Board of County Commissioners' master calendar! Please call the Board of County Commissioners office at (360) 786-5440 if you're having
problems viewing the calendar.
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