The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve $1.2 million in Treatment Sales Tax (TST) funds over a 19-month period beginning June 1, 2022 for six community organizations to provide services in Thurston County. These awards will benefit Thurston County residents with mental health or substance use issues. To qualify for TST funds, organizations must use evidence-based or promising practices that demonstrate consistent and effective help for people with substance abuse or mental health challenges achieve their goals. 

Washington State law allows counties to collect a 1/10 of 1% sales tax to fund enhanced and expanded substance use and mental health treatment services, as well as treatment courts. Thurston County has collected Treatment Sales Tax since 2009. TST is an important local funding stream that works alongside federal and state funding, such as Medicaid, to meet mental health and substance use needs in Thurston County. You can learn more, including the six organizations approved for funding, here. 

Thurston County joined local governments across the nation this week in celebration of National Public Works Week. The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 15-21 National Public Works Week with an official proclamation during the Tuesday, May 17, board meeting. In addition to the proclamation, public works staff were recognized with employee appreciation tributes online and at county facilities throughout the week.

The theme for this year's National Public Works Week is Ready and Resilient. It encourages us to consider Public Works professionals as our everyday superheroes, overcoming obstacles to provide an infrastructure of services in transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, noxious weeds and lakes management, parks and grounds, garbage and recycling, and right-of-way management. You can view the department's annual report online for details on programs and recent projects managed by Thurston County Public Works.

Since its arrival in Washington State two weeks ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now hit nine flocks in seven counties – all in backyard flocks. Tests confirmed the latest case in Thurston County on Tuesday, May 17. There are currently no human cases of avian influenza in Washington State and the risk to public health is low. You should report sick or dead domestic birds to Washington State Department of Agriculture's Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. For sick or dead wild birds, reports should be sent to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife at: http://ow.ly/6OEV50Jbs4c. 

Bird hunters should follow standard safety steps to avoid potential exposure to avian influenza and other viruses or bacteria. Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Avian Health Program website for information on how to best protect your flock.

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, May 24, at 3 p.m. in Building 1, Room 280 of the Thurston County Courthouse (2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia) to receive public testimony on a proposal to renew the interim Emergency Housing Ordinance (EHO). A video conference option will be available, in addition to in-person attendance, to ensure those wishing to provide testimony have every option available. Meeting information - including how to register for virtual attendance - is available on the board's Public Meetings and Public Hearings webpage.

No changes are proposed for this renewal. You can review the ordinance on the Emergency Housing Ordinance (EHO) webpage. You can submit written comments to Leah Davis, Associate Planner, at Leah.Davis@co.thurston.wa.us no later than 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, if you are unable to attend the public hearing. To request disability accommodations, call the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at least three days prior to the meeting at 360-786-5440. Persons with speech or hearing disabilities may call via Washington Relay: 711 or 800-833-6388.