Thurston County adopted plans for several large-scale projects this year: the Regional Trail Plan, Racial Equity Action Plan, 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, and Shoreline Master Program.
The county also held a general election in which new and incumbent officials were appointed for city and county positions.
On November 28, Thurston County officially announced its November 7 General Election results with only one position withheld for a recount. According to the results document, 77,421 ballots were cast, amounting to a voter turnout of 39.36% of the county’s 196,717 registered voters. Rainier’s Position Number 2 results were scheduled for a manual recount later this week, after candidate Ryan Roth ended up with 247 votes, a one-vote lead over opponent Damion Green. Roth won the election by one vote.
Four Thurston County commissioners were sworn into their respective positions. Wayne Fournier was sworn in as District No. 4 commissioner after his resignation as mayor of Tenino, while Emily Clouse was sworn in as commissioner for District No. 5. Maggie Sanders was sworn in as Port of Olympia Port Commissioner, District No. 4, and Sarah Tonge became the port’s District No. 5 commissioner..
The Thurston Regional Planning Council adopted the Regional Trails Plan on December 1. The funding search begins for implementing the Regional Trails Plan as the Thurston Regional Planning Council adopts its updated plan to expand the trail network throughout the county over the next 20 years. The updated trail plan would add about 110 miles of trails, amounting to 170 total trail miles along 16 corridors. The current network consists of 60 miles across 14 corridors. The plan aims to improve access to trails for the growing population, which is estimated to reach over 160,000 residents within half a mile of a regional trail by 2045.
After almost two years of deliberation, Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted a Racial Equity Action Plan at its meeting on November 28. The plan has five phases — diagnosis, analysis, strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring for sustainability. The county is currently in the first phase, “diagnosis,” and has reportedly concluded that “people recognize policies and practices don’t serve the intersectionality of community members.” The plan's next steps would be for the Racial Equity Program Manager to meet with each “equity lead,” update the Racial Equity public webpage, onboard new members to the Racial Equity Council, identify projects and develop plans for community engagement, and meet with community organizations and neighboring jurisdictions.
The BoCC approved a resolution to adopt amendments to the 2023 Thurston County Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on December 12. The plan describes the long-term vision for Thurston County and sets the direction for the county's growth over the next 20 years. The plan includes joint plans among cities, subarea plans, and chapters on land use, natural resources, housing, transportation, capital facilities, utilities, economic development, the environment, and historic resources, and governs development throughout unincorporated Thurston County.
The BoCC approved adoption of its Shoreline Master Program (SMP) at a regular meeting on December 12. The SMP regulates development and redevelopment in the county’s shoreline areas, including Puget Sound lakes and reservoirs 20 acres or larger, streams with a flow of more than 20 acres per cubic second, and lands within 200 feet of these water bodies, known as shorelands, wetlands, and floodways. The latest version of the SMP will now undergo review and conditional approval from the Department of Ecology. The Board will then work with staff and adopt the final SMP via ordinance. The update will take effect upon Ecology’s final approval.
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