Contact:

Meredith Mathis, Public Information Specialist, at meredith.mathis@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 628-7148

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is now accepting applications to fill three community member seats on the Board of Health (BoH). The BoH will expand from three to eight members effective July 1, 2022. 

The expanded board will consist of a total of eight members:

• The three members of the Board of County Commissioners
• An elected city official as appointed by the city for a two-year term on a rotating basis in the following order; Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm
• A tribal representative as selected by the American Indian Health Commission
• One community member representing public health, health care facilities, and providers
• One community member representing consumers of public health
• One community member representing other community stakeholders

Background

The BoCC voted unanimously on an ordinance to expand the BoH during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The expansion was adopted to comply with the new law enacted by Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (ESSHB) 1152 amending RCW 70.05, requiring the expansion of local public health districts and boards across the state. The full Thurston County Ordinance can be found here.

The BoH, which meets the second Tuesday of every month, is the supervisory body for public health in Thurston County as outlined in Chapter 70.05 RCW. Members of the board will not receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses for the performance of their duties.

How to Apply

Interested applicants may submit a one page letter of interest along with this application to Jamie Caldwell, Clerk of the Board, Board of Health, at jamie.caldwell@co.thurston.wa.us by June 24, 2022 for consideration. Applications will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners. The BoCC expects to announce the board members during the month of July 2022. 

For more information, visit the BoCC Expansion Page.  

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