Lacey’s Robin Vazquez is Thurston’s new member of County Board of Health

Lacey city council member Robin Vazquez attended her first board meeting as the newest addition to the Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) yesterday, August 2.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Board of Health and help steer and offer support for public health in Thurston County,” said Vazquez.

Vazquez attended the special meeting via Zoom while Commissioners Tye Menser and Gary Edwards were physically present. Commissioner Carolina Mejia was excused from the meeting.

Thurston Emergency Services Director Kurt Hardin discussed the details and the next steps of the BOH in the course of the board’s expansion.

Until yesterday, The Board of Health consisted of the three elected county commissioners. Legislation this year (RCW 70.05.030 and WAC 246-90) obligated the county to grow the board to eight members, including the three elected county commissioners and a city-elected official. 

The post for the city elected official will rotate from Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm. Vazquez of Lacey will be on board for first rotation, two years. 

The BOH is waiting for the American Indian Health Commission to name its appointee, who will be the tribal representative. 

Healthcare and community members would fill in the three remaining posts. They must be approved and appointed by a majority vote of the Thurston Board of County Commissioners based on the following guidelines:

• A member representing public health, health care facilities and providers
• A member representing consumers of public health
• A member representing other community stakeholders

Application for the remaining BOH posts will close on August 19 at 5:00 p.m.