Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution establishing an Equity Commission at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21
The resolution states the purpose of the commission is to improve participation from underrepresented community members, and identify gaps and barriers that prevent them from doing so.
The commission is going to be tasked with identifying and promoting activities that help foster inclusion in the community, as well as recommending how to improve local government practices and policies.
The commission is going to consist of seven members, including one who ideally would come from the city’s urban growth area. If no such person is available to fill the slot, all members could come from within city limits.
The terms of the founding members are going to be staggered to avoid problems with vacancies once terms expire.
Four members are going to start with a three-year term, and three begin with a two-year term.
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams told the council that staff will continue working to include additional elements to the ordinance, such as the application process and providing stipends to members. Currently, the resolution is written so that the members do not receive any salary or compensation for their time on the commission.
Adams added staff are considering adding youth representation to the commission, but they will have to look at it from a broader perspective, such as including youth members in all boards and commissions, or by creating a youth council.
Mayor Debbie Sullivan thanked Adams for her work, saying the creation of the commission has been on the city’s agenda for a long time.
The mayor added that Adams brings her experience from similar work with Lacey, so the project started with some familiarity.
Adams also acknowledged the contributions of Communications Manager Jason Wettstein and city staff, who were interviewed to help inform the development of the commission.
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JW
What's the cost to the Tumwater taxpayer?
Friday, October 24, 2025 Report this
terry
This is a noble endeavor but a tendency for all things tied to “equity” metrics will be applied to measure progress. The default metric is “proportionality” which begets racial, gender, and other factors tied to immutable characteristics. Commissioners be alert to a path that runs counter to your mission.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Report this
Overtaxed
Wondering when Residents of Tumwater are going to get Fed up with this Mentality and Vote all the City officials out of office. We need more Common Sense People.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Overtaxed - I see you learned proper capitalization from Trump
Saturday, October 25, 2025 Report this
wolfmanner
Waste of money from leftist nut cases. Equity just another form of discrimination.
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Report this
Wesley
How silly.
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Report this
Kruz81
A joke. When others are getting rid of this crap Tumwater is adding it. A waste of tax dollars acting like we have extra money.
Sunday, October 26, 2025 Report this
ViaLocal
Happy to see Tumwater establishing a committee that makes all residents feel heard and seen.
Haters gonna hate! Keep up the good work, Tumwater.
Monday, October 27, 2025 Report this
wolfmanner
Stick to your Action Figures "Cobra Commander".
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
This is so 2014.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Report this
Redneckhippie
Unnecessary.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Report this