Thurston County celebrates National County Government Month

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners formally proclaimed April 2025 as National County Government Month, recognizing the vital services counties and public health workers provide to the community.  

The proclamation, made during the Board's April 29 regular meeting, was accompanied by remarks from leaders of county government organizations and public health partners. 

Derek Young, interim executive director of the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC), highlighted the essential yet often overlooked role counties play in public life. 

“Counties aren’t just responsible for municipal services outside cities,” Young said. “You also have a tremendous number of countywide roles — public health, human services, behavioral health... and of course, you provide services on behalf of the state.” 

Young emphasized the importance of educating the public on county government functions.  

“National County Government Month has always been important because ... counties aren’t well understood,” he added. 

Jennifer Wallace, executive director of the Washington Association of County Officials (WACO), underscored the diverse responsibilities of county officials, from auditors to prosecutors, and the importance of civic education.  

“We find ... that public understanding of county government is not as strong as we wish it were,” she said.  

WACO provides legislative advocacy, training and public outreach to address this gap, Wallace added. 

The board also honored public health workers in a separate proclamation for National Public Health Week from April 7-13.

Dr. Jen Freiheit, Director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, compared public health’s behind-the-scenes role to that of a refrigerator —critical but often unnoticed. 

“Public health work improves the lives and health of everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us,” Freiheit said.  

“When a pandemic strikes, they are the first to mobilize. When children need vaccines, they organize clinics,” she added. 

JP Anderson, CEO of the Community Health Organization Improving Care and Equity (CHOICE), praised Thurston County’s leadership in public health across the region.  

“You have an exceptional public health department here,” said Anderson, noting a growing partnership focused on expanding access to care and navigating social determinants of health.