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.
In accordance with a previously approved joint resolution, the county expects the Port of Olympia to issue a similar ballot proposition to expand its membership from three to five as well so the districts can be aligned.
The county hopes to work with the Port to draw the new districts. This would involve forming a three-member redistricting committee consisting of the Chair of each commission and the county Auditor.
In the event the Port's proposition does not pass, Chavez said the committee may recommend the Port Commission abstain from approving the newly created districts. If both pass, both commissions would have to approve the new districts separately.
Each new district should contain a fifth of the county population, according to a draft resolution. To avoid unseating a current commissioner, the new districts would be drawn so that no two current members reside in one district.
Under state law, the board would be required to approve the ordinance establishing five districts no later than March 13, Chavez said.
Since the election of the two new members would take place in an odd year, state law requires the person elected to position four serve a one-year term and the person elected to position five serve a three-year term. That way, each position would eventually reopen on an even year for a new four-year term in accordance with the current standard.
Commissioner Gary Edwards objected to an earlier draft of the resolution that did not indicate whether the redistricting committee would hold open public meetings.
"I think we should always try to comply with the intent of the Open Public Meetings Act and make sure that citizens are always advised of what we're doing," Edwards said. "I don't think we should ever have any backroom meetings."
In response, Chavez said the committee has no decision-making power and their meetings with the board will be open to the public.
Commissioner and Board Chair Carolina Mejia said she did not object to having the committee meetings open to the public. So, the county amended the draft resolution. Chavez said the county will publicize a special meeting notice each time the committee meets even though it is not bound by the Open Public Meetings Act.
Chavez said the county would be required by state law to establish five districts if it surpasses a population of 400,000. Edwards had requested he note that fact.
"I'd like the public to know, we're just getting ahead of things here," Edwards said. "At 400,000 it becomes mandatory. They don't get any say."
Mejia and Edwards both voted in favor of setting the public hearing. Commissioner Tye Menser was excused from county meetings this week but previously indicated support for expanding the commission.
The public hearing will be at 3:30 p.m. July 19 at the Thurston County Courthouse, Building 1, Room 280.
