Olympia, Tenino court services transitioning to Thurston County 

Thurston County is in the process of taking over court services for the City of Olympia and City of Tenino.

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) examined two proposed interlocal agreements (ILAs) about court services at a meeting on Tuesday, July 22. 

The proposals would place the administration of Olympia’s Municipal Court system under Thurston County District Court starting later this year, with Tenino following on a smaller scale. 

County Manager Leonard Hernandez said the county and cities have negotiated terms that guarantee full cost recovery through December 2026, with future rates incorporated into a 2027 renewal. He added if the board approves the ILAs, the transfer will be a “historic step.” 

“The City of Olympia has requested Thurston County provide all court services for the city, including progressive alternatives and supervised probation,” Hernandez said. 

The implementation is expected to take about six months and would involve coordination with multiple departments, including information technology, central services, budget and human resources.

“The commissioner’s budget team and the court executive officer have thoroughly reviewed with the city the pro rata, fully covered costs of services through December 31, 2026,” said Hernandez, noting Olympia’s costs would be integrated into the county’s rate study for the next renewal cycle. 

Judge Sam Meyer said the court acknowledged the amount of work required and appreciated the coordination behind the proposal. 

Probation services included 

The Olympia agreement includes supervised probation, a service the county had scaled back in recent years. Court Executive Officer Frankie Peters said Olympia requested the service, and the ILA reflects that expectation. 

Hernandez said the county will create new job positions for probation and other services, with expenses reimbursed by Olympia. 

“It gives us the flexibility then to offer that and see if other jurisdictions are interested, and then, of course, through the rate study, charge them for the pro rata share (of) what that service covers,” Hernandez explained. 

Smaller pact for Tenino 

A separate ILA addresses Tenino and is based on the same framework as Olympia’s plan, but on a smaller scale.  

Peters and Hernandez said Tenino also requested full court services through District Court. They also said Tenino will not maintain a separate violations bureau, and all cases will be processed through the court system. 

According to the county officials, the requests from both cities reflect growing interest in regionalized court services. They also cited efficiency, cost savings and expanded service capacity as reasons jurisdictions are moving toward county-managed systems. 

The board expects to make a decision on the proposed ILAs at a meeting on Tuesday, July 29.