The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has given the green light to three contracts to address climate change concerns and update its comprehensive plan.
During its meeting on Tuesday, January 30, the board unanimously approved two interagency agreements with the Washington State Department of Commerce and a contract with a private consultancy firm.
Community Planning Manager Ashley Arai said the first agreement, valued at $700,000, is dedicated to financing the Periodic Update of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.
“Funding will primarily be used to support consultant work in drafting amendments on the periodic update and may also be used to fund public outreach or staff time towards completing the update,” said Arai.
Arai explained that the agreement underscores the county's commitment to aligning its urban development strategies with the evolving needs of its populace and regulatory landscape.
A separate interagency agreement worth $300,000 has been approved to address the pressing issue of climate change within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan. This allocation is also slated to take place from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.
“Funding will primarily be used to support consultant work in conducting necessary studies to support and developing a new climate element as part of the periodic update and may also be used to fund public outreach or staff time towards completing the update,” the staff report read.
In parallel to the execution of these contracts is the engagement with BERK, a consultancy firm specializing in urban planning and environmental impact assessments.
BOCC approved the contract worth $894,960 with BERK, entrusting them with professional services relevant to the successful completion of the Comprehensive Plan update, dubbed "Thurston 2045."
BERK's expertise, according to Arai, spans comprehensive plan periodic updates, environmental impact assessments, and legislative guidance on housing and climate policies.
Funding for this contract will be sourced from two grants awarded by the Department of Commerce.
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FordPrefect
$1,894,960 to pay for consulting…
I’d be happy to do the “work” for half the cost if the county would like to save some money.
Better yet, we have county employees already on the payroll who could complete this assessment. How hard could it be to come up with a 20-year plan that will be loosely adhered to, if at all. Be sure to include words like “equitable” and “sustainable” so we can all feel good about ourselves.
Please enjoy these meaningless excerpts from BERK’s website as a sample of what we are buying:
- “Great strategy is rooted in an aspirational vision of a desired future coupled with keen insight into the current situation and a commitment to action.”
- “We help programs assess effectiveness, efficiency, and equity to better serve their clients.”
- “Equitable outcomes and sound decisions require thoughtful community engagement.”
Thursday, February 1 Report this
Southsoundguy
Climate change is a racket.
Friday, February 2 Report this