The Board of County Commissioners approved making the interim Emergency Housing Ordinance, or EHO, permanent. The ordinance the board adopted amends the Thurston County Code for Homeless Encampments and Administrative Procedures Chapters within Titles 20, 21, 22, and 23 to allow for a waiver of some permitting criteria of homeless encampments. The adoption of this ordinance makes interim regulations permanent, with some minor adjustments. Waivers are valid for 365 days instead of 180 days, with an option for a one-year permit extension. In addition, the proposal does not allow for a waiver of the criteria prohibiting encampments in critical areas. The ordinance also makes changes clarifying the application and permitting procedures.

Thurston County has had regulations for permitting homeless encampments since 2010. In 2019 the board first adopted, and has since renewed, interim rules allowing for flexibility and accountability in the permitting requirements of homeless encampments at the discretion of the Community Planning and Economic Development Department Director. This ordinance is only available when the Board of County Commissioners has declared a public health emergency or crisis. You can learn more about the EHO on the county’s Emergency Housing Ordinance webpage. 

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) will hold a public hearing at the Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 280 (2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia) Wednesday, December 7, at 3:30 p.m. to receive public testimony on the proposed boundary lines for five county commissioner districts. This public hearing follows the certification of Thurston County Proposition Number 1 – where the majority of voters approved expanding the board from three to five commissioners – in the 2022 General Election. Those wishing to testify should appear in person or virtually at the public hearing. For virtual attendance, visit the county’s public hearings and meetings webpage to register. You can also submit written or emailed comments. Please submit your comments no later than 12 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, to katelyn.johnson@co.thurston.wa.us.

The BoCC passed Resolution Number 16181 to put a ballot measure forward in the 2022 general election to ask the voters to increase the number of Thurston County Commissioners from three to five following a public hearing on Tuesday, July 19. You can learn more about the BoCC expansion and view the proposed district boundaries on the county's BoCC Expansion Information webpage.

Thurston County general government operations - currently located at the Thurston County Courthouse Complex on Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia - is continuing its move to The Atrium, located at 3000 Pacific Avenue in Olympia. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will continue to hold all public meetings at the Courthouse Complex in Building 1, Room 280, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia, through December 31, 2022. Offices and departments already located at the Atrium are:

• Auditor's Office
• Treasurer's Office
• Board of County Commissioners
• Central Services
• Geodata
• Human Resources
• Information Technology

Finishing out the move is Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) and Environmental Health. The last day of operations at the Thurston County Courthouse is Wednesday, December 7. Both will open Tuesday, December 13, at The Atrium. You can find more information about the project and specifics for each office or department on the project webpage.

Thurston County released the 2022-2023 Preliminary Mid-biennial Budget Monday, November 21. The focus of this mid-biennial budget is on strengthening the county's current services and programs while meeting the rising costs of conducting business. The 2023 preliminary budget includes a total of $515.7 million in expenses; $461.9 million of these expenses are operating. Public hearings are scheduled for Monday, December 5, and Tuesday, December 6, at Thurston County Courthouse Building 1, Room 280, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia.

Significant work has gone into ensuring the 2022-2023 Preliminary Mid-biennial Budget is fiscally responsible and advances the county's vision and priorities by meeting the needs of a growing community. Highlights of the preliminary budget are:

• $1.5 million to increase salaries for Sheriff corrections and law enforcement professionals.
• $1.2 million to support Public Health and Social Services programs and services.
• $300 thousand to pilot a veteran's food insecurity and case management program.
• $900 thousand to provide emergency medical assistance.
• $4 million to provide a quality, stable, developed, and thriving workforce.
• $6.7 million to address rising costs to conduct business.