Lacey OKs stipend program for advisory boards, commissioners

To mitigate barriers to participation on advisory boards, the Lacey City Council unanimously approved a stipend program for its advisory board at its October 5 public meeting.

The new program, under Resolution 1138, aims to offset the financial expenses of those participating in the city's advisory bodies, which includes costs for childcare, transportation, internet access, and other direct financial impacts.

"Advisory Board Stipend Programs is not compensation or payment for services but are a nominal fee to cover incurred expenses incidental to the volunteer activity performed by advisory board members," the staff report read.

Councilmember Carolyn Cox said it's "money well spent" if this can help bring more people to participate in local government, adding that "it's really important that we reach out to our community and invite them in."

Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong said the city would implement the program starting January next year.

"This item has gone through several advisory boards to get to this point," said Kelley-Fong.

She also clarified that under the new program, advisory board members remain volunteers, not city employees.

The program would apply to the following boards:

 ●     Board of Park Commissioners

●     Civil Service Commission

●     Commission on Equity

●     Historical Commission

●     Law Enforcement Officers & Fire Fighters (Disability Board)

●     Library Board

●     Planning Commission

●     Youth Council

●     Lodging Tax Committee

●     Ad hoc advisory boards or task forces created by the city

The program itself is designed to be an opt-in program, said Kelley-Fong. Those participating at the beginning of the year must opt into the program.

Kelley-Fong said the fiscal impact of the new program is approximately $20,000 to $45,000, depending on the opt-in rate and number of ad hoc boards.

Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder gave his support for the program, noting that future council members should consider inflation in updating the program.

"At some point, we need to make sure that people can still use these dollars to be able to get here,” Ryder said.