The Olympian editorial board endorses expanding Thurston County, Port of Olympia boards

The Olympian editorial board supports the ballot measure to increase the number of Thurston County Commissioners from three to five for three reasons.

First, as the county has grown, so has the number of councils, commissions, and organizations that need a county commissioner in attendance. The workload of these meetings — and the complexity of the issues they address — is now too much for three people.

Second, the Open Meeting Act forbids a majority — two commissioners — from discussing work because they constitute a decision-making quorum. The commission tries to abide by this regulation, but it severely stifles communication.

Third, with just three representatives in districts sliced up north to south, it is too easy for segments of Thurston County to feel unrepresented and even ignored by their government. The maps the county has drafted for five districts create a better opportunity for residents outside the county’s urban core to be heard and represented.

And here’s a fourth consideration: Eventually, when the county population grows another 100,000, the move from three to five commissioners will be required by the state.

The Port of Olympia Commission expansion from three to five is a harder call. Some voters are so fed up with the Port — over its decisions, priorities and management, and the festering discontent — they’d rather vote to disband it than expand it.

But expanding it still might be a good idea: It would give voters a chance to add voices who are willing to think differently about the Port and push for the housecleaning and updating the Port needs.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 7:31 AM.