The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is standing behind a full year of reforms, as the governing body leans deeper into 2025.
On Tuesday, March 4, the county looked back on a year in which it was able to “navigate community growth with operational excellence.”
According to a statement released by the county, the BoCC appointed new leaders, implemented modernized financial systems and refined governance processes, all to position the county for stronger fiscal management in 2025.
BoCC Chair Tye Menser said, “The implementation of our 2024 initiatives underscores the value of the supportive and forward-thinking workplace culture we are building. … As we continue to evolve as an organization, we remain focused — elected officials and staff alike — on being responsible stewards of public resources and making decisions that contribute to a safe, healthy, and resilient community.”
In 2024, the county introduced a “three-person executive team” to run daily operations.
County Manager Leonard Hernandez was selected for his “organizational transformation” credentials. Hernandez was joined by the newly appointed Assistant County Managers Joshua Cummings and Jennifer Walker.
In the finance department, the county installed Summer Miller as the Budget and Fiscal Manager after the retirement of a long-serving official.
The statement noted that Miller was assigned to “updating the county’s reporting processes to deliver accurate, real-time reporting for full visibility for county leadership, as well as creating a fiscal analysis for improved forecasting.”
The county also promoted staff members into executive positions.
Ashley Arai became director of Community Planning & Economic Development; Karen Weiss was named Public Works Director; and Dr. Jen Freiheit took over Public Health and Social Services.
In terms of replacing the county’s outdated systems, the government adopted a “unified enterprise resource planning platform” to modernize accounting, payroll and budget systems.
The upgrade is designed to cut redundancies, improve transparency, and strengthen financial controls, the county said.
“Healthy organizations embrace change,” said BoCC Vice Chair Wayne Fournier.
He added, “And my colleagues and I are not only embracing change, but we’re actively leading the way with our internal and external processes. Our goal is to serve our community by preparing government services and infrastructure for the future and being fiscally responsible and efficient in doing so. 2024 set the foundation for an even stronger 2025.”
Board meetings also went through changes. The BoCC required staff to conduct thorough project assessments before submitting proposals.
Officials introduced “briefing packets outlining the project’s relevance, fiscal impact, and timelines,” to secure that the commissioners had time for review before discussions.
Meanwhile, the courthouse renovation plan was also adjusted. The decision followed discussions with justice officials and local stakeholders.
Instead of moving forward with a costly rebuild, the BoCC approved “a fiscally responsible approach for a reduced-cost renovation of the current county courthouse buildings.”
Commissioner Carolina Mejia highlighted the county’s focus on public needs.
“Effective change in government begins with listening to those we serve. … Understanding their needs, and continuously evolving to meet those needs with greater efficiency and care is my goal, and a goal of the Board,” Mejia stated.
Emphasizing the outcomes, Commissioner Emily Clouse said, “True success in county government is measured by the tangible benefits we deliver to Thurston County residents.
"Our community deserves a government that listens, responds, and actively removes barriers —whether by improving access to services, ensuring fiscal responsibility, or expanding opportunities that allow everyone to thrive.”
Commissioner Rachel Grant reiterated trust.
“True progress in government comes from aligning our organizational changes with the aspirations of the community,” she said.
Grant added, “Our goal is to build more responsive and accountable public services that our community can trust.”
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OlyBlues
At first blush, I thought this was a satire piece printed early for April Fools Day. The BOCC spin machine must have been sent back to the shop for repairs after working overdrive to produce so much hot air for this article. Expertly glazing over the huge lawsuit (and $300K payout) against the county for Commissioner Clouse's inappropriate workplace behavior and dishonesty; a near coup at Public Works over serious allegations of discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation by supervisors and left grossly unchecked by incompetent county HR; spending millions on the courthouse renovation just to stop the process so the BOCC can "build trust" and go back to drawing board; the Federal Government demanding repayment of grant money paid out for fraud; line employees so grossly underpaid they begged the BOCC to please pay them a livable COLA after they decided they authorized themselves a 6% raise when at the same time they said county employees only deserved a measly 3%; and lest we not forget the poor legal advice by the county Prosecutor's Office civil attorneys on how state money could be spent on new furniture at the Glass Palace "Atrium" without following a competitive bidding process. But YES, everything is going SO well at the county! Thurston County needs a complete overhaul and top to bottom cleaning of the house to restore ethics, credibility, and integrity. All of which are greatly lacking despite the fictionary tales in this article.
Saturday, March 8 Report this
WendyS64
Let's also not forget the County still has failed to complete the Jail expansion and while voters gave the Sheriff a boatload of money to spend wildly on a new building for patrol & wooing new patrol officers, correction officers remain underpaid & understaffed and overwhelmed in what he himself calls the area's largest mental health facility. Commissioners fail to step up and recognize any of this.
Sunday, March 9 Report this
HappyOlympian
County leadership awful. Very little to say in a positive manner. Clouse, want to prove you listen to the public, quit with the fluffy statements, hit the road and let someone in there more concerned with providing effective leadership than hiring people your are dating. But, county consistent with wretched city and port officials, Thurston County becoming the exemplar of incompetence and corruption.
Sunday, March 9 Report this
JW
"Circus proudly touts the record number of people they entertained in 2024! Details inside!"
Monday, March 10 Report this