Local Politics | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

General Government Funds take the most significant share of the $300 million 2024-2024 budget. It makes up 33.85% of the budget, followed by Proprietary Funds at 30.89%, Capital Project Funds at 19.63%, Special Revenue Funds at 10.85%, Internal Service Funds at 4.62%, and Debt Service Fund at 0.16%.

Tumwater adopts 2023-2024 budget

Tumwater city council passed an ordinance adopting its 2023-2024 budget during a meeting held on Tuesday, December 6. The new biennial budget totals $300,774,808, broken down into the following … more

by Jerome Tuaño | 12/8/22

Lacey opts for 'less industrial' branding for its 'Midtown'

Lacey Planning Commission discussed the proposed utility box wraps within Lacey Midtown to uphold its branding as an innovative district during its meeting on Tuesday, December 6. Senior Planner … more

By JC Medina | 12/8/22

Council member Leatta Dahlhoff, a member of the RFA planning committee, defended the merits of forming the Olympia-Tumwater Fire Authority, during a meeting held on December 6, 2022.

Tumwater city council unanimously votes to send RFA decision to voters

The Tumwater City Council yesterday unanimously approved a joint resolution with Olympia, putting the formation of a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) to a public vote. The special election is set to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/7/22

All seven councilmembers participated in the vote to ask voters to approve a Regional Fire Authority at the Olympia City Council meeting on December 6, 2022.

Olympia city council votes to move regional fire authority proposal to voters

In a 6-1 vote last night, the Olympia City Council adopted a joint resolution with Tumwater to form a regional fire protection authority, its operations and finance plans, including the imposition of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/7/22 | 1 comment

Seven community members, including former Olympia Mayor Bob Jacobs, above, participated in the public hearing for the proposed Regional Fire Authority at the Olympia City Council meeting held December 6, 2022.

Olympia community speaks against RFA: 'Manufactured crisis'

At last night’s city council meeting, Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby opened the public hearing before the councilmembers voted on the joint resolution with Tumwater, which allowed the formation of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/7/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia and Tumwater fire and emergency services infrastructure is the push of the plan for the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Letter to Olympia City Council opposes proposed regional fire authority

Larry Dzieza sent this to the Olympia City Council earlier today. Dear Olympia City Council, I believe I have followed the development of the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) more … more

By Larry Dzieza | 12/6/22 | 5 comments

Olympia Strong identifies 7 focused areas to develop a strong economy

Olympia's Economic Development Department has identified seven focus areas to help the city develop a strong and inclusive economy over the next 20 years, strategic project manager Amy Buckler … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/6/22 | 2 comments

NTPS Assistant Director of Communications Amy Blondin urges groups and businesses in the city to engage in the "Spirit of Giving Back Project" during the Lacey Community Relations and Public Affairs Committee meeting on December 5, 2022.

Lacey to continue Spirit of Giving Back project

In their sixth year of partnering with North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) and the Lacey South Sound Chamber, the Lacey Community Relations and Public Affairs Committee plans to continue the "Spirit … more

By JC Medina | 12/6/22

Both Olympia and Tumwater city councils to hold public hearings about the proposed RFA tomorrow

The Olympia City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) plan, which – if approved by the voters – will merge Olympia and Tumwater's fire … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/5/22

During the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee meeting on November 30, 2022, the property owner presented the project overview to build three fourplexes at 500 Deschutes Parkway SW.

Olympia landowner seeking to build fourplexes on Deschutes Parkway property

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission hearing on a project at 500 Deschutes Parkway SW with three housing fourplexes. According to the property owner and applicant for the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/5/22 | 2 comments

Karen Reed, a consultant for the plan Regional Fire Authority, updated the public on the new FBC cost. At a public hearing held Monday, November 14, 2022, she presented tables reflecting the lower weights and FBC cost under Option 5.

Olympia’s worst idea: the proposed Regional Fire Authority

The proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) plan would eliminate both Olympia and Tumwater Fire Departments. Olympians and Tumwaterites would, in the future, rely upon a new governmental … more

By Jim Lazar | 12/5/22 | 5 comments

Thomas Architecture Studios presented a project proposal for redeveloping a small parcel at 314 Capitol Way North that would connect with the Market Flats apartment building under re-construction. The left image shows the building from the east-west alley; the image on the right shows the buildings viewed from Capitol Way.

Less than a year after fire destroyed three downtown buildings, a new plan would add more apartments there

Less than a year ago, a fire destroyed the Market Flats mixed-use building under construction downtown, as well as its two neighboring buildings. A new plan would add more new apartments and join … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/2/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater councilmember Charlie Schnieder at the future site of the city's Preserve Park, one of the city's Parks & Recreation Commission's projects. May 18, 2022.

Tumwater seeks parks commissioners

Tumwater is looking for applicants for its Parks & Recreation Commission. Although the city’s press release did not state how many seats they want to be filled, its website reveals that … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 12/1/22

Olympia's social justice committee to focus on housing discrimination and better access to housing

Olympia's Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen updated the Social Justice and Equity Commission on housing initiatives as the commission is eyeing putting together education and outreach … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/30/22 | 1 comment

Olympia receives 7 proposals for discrimination assessment

The Social Justice and Equity Commission, on Monday, November 28, received seven proposals for a discrimination assessment, according to Diversity, Equity and Inclusive program manager Tobi … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/29/22 | 5 comments

Port makes last-minute budget cut to 2023 capital investment plan before adoption

The Port of Olympia Commission made a last-minute budget cut before adopting its 2023 operating budget and capital investment plan during a meeting held on Monday, November 28. The budget cut made … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/29/22

Olympia is looking for artists for next year's Arts Walk activities.

Olympia searching for Arts Walk artists to do promo

Olympia is making a call out for artists who will have their work featured in the city’s Arts Walk. The city plans to commission two artists to create new, original works of art to be … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 11/28/22

This image shows Los Angeles International Airport superimposed over the "Central Thurston" site being considered by the state legislature for creation of a new large commercial airport. The circles are shown at radiuses of two, four and six miles from the center.

Proposed Thurston County airport seen to harm wildlife, displace residents and businesses

The proposed new Thurston County airport would harm wildlife and displace thousands of residents and businesses, two experts warned. Cindy Schexnider, a retired Department of Fish and Wildlife … more

By Danny Stusser and Julia Ornedo | 11/25/22 | 12 comments

Always the day after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday 2022 is November 26.

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday; community urged to ‘shop small’

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating tomorrow, November 26 as Small Business Saturday. The proclamation, signed on Tuesday, November 22, recognizes local small businesses and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/25/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater planning manager Brad Medrud presented to the city council an ordinance adding a rental housing code to the city’s municipal code.

Tumwater moves to adopt a rental housing code

Tumwater city council agreed to put forward an ordinance adding a rental housing chapter into the city’s municipal code during its meeting on Tuesday, November 22. The new chapter contains … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/24/22