Thurston County seeks input on plans to expand commission as population tops 300,000
Jun. 30—The public can comment through July 19 on Thurston County's plans to place a proposition on the Nov. 8 ballot that would increase its board of commissioners from three to five elected members.
The board voted 2-0 on Tuesday to approve setting a public hearing for the ballot proposition. Under state law, non-charter counties such as Thurston can ask voters to approve a larger elected board if they have a population between 300,000 and 400,000.
On Wednesday, the Washington state Office of Financial Management released population numbers for the state, counties and municipalities as of April 1. The data show Thurston County added 2,700 people over the past year to reach a population of 300,500. This gives the county the data it needs to move forward.
If voters approve the proposition Nov. 8, County Manager Ramiro Chavez said he would bring an ordinance to the board by the end of the year establishing five new commissioner districts. An election for two new members would then take place in 2023, he added.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/thurston-county-seeks-input-on-plans-to-expand-commission-as-population-tops-300-000/ar-AAZ2wo0
