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14 hours ago

Janine Gates reveals the inspiring story of grassroots activism that has shaped the fight to protect the Nisqually Delta from industrialization over the past 50 years.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LaceyNisqually #TribalVoices #CommunityActivism

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2 weeks ago

Historian Drew Crooks traces Medicine Creek Treaty, Chief Leschi and the legal legacy for Puget Sound tribes At a Lacey Museum history talk, Drew Crooks reviewed the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, the disputed role of Chief Leschi and Governor Isaac Stevens, subsequent violence and trials, later reservation changes and the treatylegal legacy for tribal fishing rights.

Drew Crooks reveals how the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 continues to influence land and fishing rights, shedding light on Chief Leschi's pivotal role in this historical narrative.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LaceyTribalRights #CitizenPortal #FishingRights #IndigenousHistory

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1 month ago

Lacey authorizes city manager to sign amendment pooling opioid‑settlement funds Council authorized the city manager on March 3 to sign an amended interlocal agreement allowing Thurston County to hold pooled opioid‑settlement funds and establishing an independent subcommittee to make spending recommendations; council members asked about safeguards and fund stewardship.

Lacey's council just took a major step in pooling opioid-settlement funds, empowering Thurston County to lead the way in tackling the crisis!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #LaceyOpioidSettlement

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1 month ago

Residents urge board to reject siting of lift station in Walters Park; parks board requests more analysis Residents and park users strongly opposed relocating Lift Station 4 into Walters Park, citing tree removal, wildlife loss and a lack of public outreach. After a staff briefing, the parks board voted to request additional environmental and fiscal analysis before recommending a preferred site to the city manager.

Residents are rallying against the city’s plan to relocate a lift station into Walters Park, fearing it will destroy the natural beauty and wildlife of their beloved community space.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact

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3 months ago

Lacey council weighs repeal of social‑card prohibition and gradual gambling‑tax increases City staff presented revenue options for social card games and pull tabs, noting Lacey’s 7.5% social‑card rate yields roughly $500,000 annually; council signaled support to pursue ordinance language to remove the local prohibition and asked staff to return with fiscal analyses and phased increase options.

The Lacey City Council is considering changes to gambling taxes that could boost revenue and lift the prohibition on social card games—could this reshape the local gaming landscape?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LaceyGambling #RevenueEnhancement #LocalPolicy #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Lacey staff proposes 4-unit cap in draft middle-housing code, offers optional deeper-affordability pathway City staff presented a draft middle-housing code and recommended capping units-per-lot at four to meet state requirements, while proposing an optional pathway to allow more units if deeper affordability is guaranteed; the commission signaled support to continue work and scheduled further hearings.

Lacey city staff has unveiled a draft housing code proposing a cap of four units per lot, designed to comply with state mandates while paving the way for deeper affordability options.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CommunityDevelopment #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning

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3 months ago

Lacey rolls out $5,000 pilot cultural grants; commissioners raise equity concerns about reimbursement model The Commission on Equity reviewed a pilot Community Cultural Events grant that will award $500–$5,000 on a reimbursement basis to nonprofit or fiscally sponsored, free public events in Lacey; commissioners warned the reimbursement structure could exclude small groups without upfront funds.

Lacey is launching a new pilot program offering grants up to $5,000 for community cultural events, but concerns about the reimbursement model could leave smaller organizations behind.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CommunityFunding #EquityInitiatives #LaceyCulturalEvents

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3 months ago

Lacey Council adopts $224.95 million 2026 budget, continues use of reserves to bridge shortfall Council adopted Ordinance 16-93 setting the 2026 budget at $224,954,147 (general fund $74,396,916). Staff said the proposal maintains services while addressing a $3 million shortfall using reserves and a multi-year plan for revenue enhancements.

Lacey City Council has approved a $224.95 million budget for 2026, navigating a $3 million shortfall while prioritizing essential services and strategic economic growth.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #RevenueEnhancements #LaceyBudget #InfrastructureInvestment #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Lacey adopts 2025 comprehensive plan update and zoning amendments after two-year update and robust outreach Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 16-94 updating the city's comprehensive plan and Ordinance 16-95 implementing zoning amendments. Staff said the update reflects two years of work, includes new greenhouse gas and resiliency elements and a future land use map, and will be posted at lacycompplan.com.

Lacey City Council has officially adopted a groundbreaking 2025 comprehensive plan that emphasizes climate resilience and community engagement, marking a significant step toward a sustainable future.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #ZoningAmendments #ClimateResiliency #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Council approves 2026 lodging-tax awards after debate over FIFA Fan Zone allocation Council approved the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2026 funding recommendations, including a contested allocation for a proposed FIFA fan zone. A motion to reassign the Fan Zone funds to the RAC failed; the full LTAC package passed with one dissenting vote.

The Lacey City Council's heated debate over the controversial FIFA fan zone funding has left many wondering about the future of tourism in the area.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #TourismMarketing #CommunityInvolvement #LaceyTourism #CitizenPortal #EventFunding

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3 months ago

Lacey Council adopts state-aligned indigent defense standards; officials warn of multi-year cost and staffing impacts The Lacey City Council adopted Ordinance 16-89 to update local indigent defense caseload standards to reflect a Washington Supreme Court interim order phasing case limits from 400 to 120 per attorney by 2036. Staff warned of an early-year fiscal impact; council members said state support will be needed for implementation.

Lacey City Council just adopted a game-changing ordinance reducing public defender caseloads from 400 to 120—what does this mean for the future of legal defense in our community?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LaceyIndigentDefense #LegalReform #PublicSafety #FiscalAccountability

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3 months ago

Lacey staff to update B&O model ordinance after state expands taxable services; council warned of a short transition period City staff briefed council on required changes to the local business-and-occupation model ordinance following the 2025 state law (SB 5814) that reclassifies certain services as retail sales; staff will return Dec. 16 with a draft ordinance and definitions and warned businesses may face a temporary overlap of sales tax and B&O filings during the transition.

Lacey's businesses may face a double taxation dilemma as new state legislation reclassifies key services, prompting urgent ordinance updates before 2026 rolls in.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LaceyBusiness #TaxationPolicy #LocalBusinessSupport #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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3 months ago

Lacey water-resources team outlines stormwater, groundwater and multi‑year well projects Water-resources staff briefed the council on stormwater and groundwater systems, described the Chambers Lake regional stormwater facility and a multi-phased Source 6 supplemental-well program, and said deep aquifer testing will continue with a projected long lead time and material capital cost.

Lacey’s water-resources team is gearing up for a multi-million dollar project aimed at enhancing stormwater controls and groundwater protection—will your community benefit from these crucial updates?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

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3 months ago

Lacey council reviews five-year economic development strategy, flags childcare and Midtown priorities City staff and consultants presented a finalized five-year economic development strategy that emphasizes identity, business retention, and quality-of-life actions; council prioritized business recruitment, childcare access, and Midtown activation and asked staff to return with an implementation work plan for 2026.

Lacey's council has unveiled an ambitious five-year economic development strategy aimed at transforming the city into a vibrant hub of opportunity and identity by 2026.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #BusinessGrowth #ChildCareAccess #LaceyEconomicDevelopment #CitizenPortal

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4 months ago

Council signals support to draft 6% cable utility tax; staff to return with ordinance Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for a potential 6% utility tax on cable services (estimated $720,000 revenue at 6%); staff noted federal constraints limit taxation of Internet‑based streaming services and that the tax cannot be unduly discriminatory.

Lacey's council is moving forward with a potential 6% utility tax on cable services that could generate $720,000 in revenue—what does this mean for your monthly bill?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LocalGovAI #PublicRevenue #LaceyCableTax #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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4 months ago

Council authorizes amended Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative interlocal agreement Council authorized the city manager to sign amendments to the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative interlocal agreement that streamline administration, allow defined regional initiatives without separate ILAs if three criteria are met, and move full greenhouse‑gas inventories to a three‑year cadence with interim dash inventories.

The Lacey City Council just streamlined climate initiatives with a new agreement that could change how we tackle greenhouse gas emissions!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #EnvironmentalPolicy #SustainabilityInitiatives #LaceyClimate #ClimateMitigation #CitizenPortal

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4 months ago

Lacey presents web-based comprehensive-plan overhaul after two-year outreach campaign City planning staff and the planning commission presented a 2025 comprehensive-plan update that decouples future land-use and zoning maps, includes new climate and greenhouse-gas elements, records roughly 60,000 community contacts and will be returned to council for formal adoption Dec. 16 after state review.

Lacey is set to unveil a groundbreaking comprehensive plan that prioritizes community input and sustainability, aiming to guide the city's future with innovative tools and policies.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #ClimateResiliency #CitizenPortal #TransportationPolicy

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4 months ago

Lacey advances RACK 30% designs, staff says $12.5M bond capacity could fund first phase City staff presented 30% designs for the Regional Athletic Complex (RACK) Phase 3 and said a 15-year bond could yield about $12.5 million for a base project that includes converting a grass field to synthetic turf, adding lights and seating, and safety netting; larger stadium elements would require outside partners or later phases.

Lacey is set to transform its Regional Athletic Complex with a $12.5 million bond plan that promises new synthetic turf, lights, and more seating—are you ready to cheer for the future of sports in our city?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LaceyAthleticComplex

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4 months ago

Lacey police brief council: two suspects arrested in Nov. 14 double homicide; investigation ongoing Chief Armada told the council the Nov. 14 double-homicide investigation led to the identification and arrest of two suspects (one arrested in Wenatchee) with FBI digital-task-force assistance; both are held without bail, detectives executed dozens of warrants and the chief said the victims were targeted and believed misidentified.

Lacey Police Chief Armada reveals shocking details about a targeted double homicide investigation that led to two swift arrests, with crucial support from the FBI.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalInvestigation #CommunityCoordination #LaceyPolice

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4 months ago

Lacey staff lay out 2026 state priorities, seeking academy funding and help on public-defense costs At a Nov. 25 work session, Lacey staff presented a streamlined 2026 state legislative agenda that includes $1 million annually to run a regional law-enforcement academy at the Lacey training center, a funding mechanism for animal control, extension of an annexation sales-tax credit and requests to address new public-defense standards.

Lacey officials are pushing for $1 million annually to boost a regional law-enforcement academy and tackle rising public-defense costs as they unveil their 2026 legislative agenda.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #LawEnforcementTraining #CitizenPortal #PublicDefenseSupport

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4 months ago

RAC usage grows; board hears proposed turf, seating and infrastructure upgrades Lacey Parks staff reported high demand at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC), tournament-driven visitation and associated local economic impact. The board heard preliminary plans to convert a grass field to turf, add spectator seating, improve fencing and Wi‑Fi, and discussed staging improvements under the PFD extension.

Exciting upgrades are coming to the Regional Athletic Complex, including turf conversion and improved seating, to boost year-round events and local economic impact!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LaceyParks #CommunityEngagement #RecreationEnhancements

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4 months ago

Hands On Children’s Museum outlines $30.6M expansion, says PFD funding is pivotal Museum officials presented a capital campaign and timeline for a 20,000-square-foot expansion to boost exhibit space, add a STEAM makerspace for older children, expand preschool offerings and increase parking. The campaign lists $20.5 million of expected PFD funds as central to reaching the project goal of $30.6 million.

The Hands On Children’s Museum is set to embark on a transformative $30.6 million expansion that will double its exhibit space and introduce innovative programs for kids, with a grand opening planned for 2028!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal

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4 months ago

CAR PFD board reviews governance, state statute updates and potential charter conflict with statewide association At its annual meeting the Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District received a legal and policy orientation on PFD law, discussed recent state extensions to the sales-tax credit, and asked staff to review whether membership in the statewide PFD association conflicts with the CAR PFD charter’s ban on lobbying.

The CAR PFD board is navigating complex legal waters as they confront potential conflicts with state laws and their own charter—what could this mean for local funding and projects?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #LaceyPublicFacilities

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5 months ago

Lacey Planning Commission reviews state‑mandated co‑living, middle‑housing and ADU code updates; staff to revise draft for Dec. 10 hearing City staff briefed the Planning Commission on state‑required co‑living rules (sleeping‑unit definitions, size caps, shared facilities, parking and sewer treatment) and related housing law changes for middle housing, accessory dwelling units and unit‑lot subdivisions; commissioners urged privacy/security mitigations and staff recommended a Dec. 10,

Lacey is rethinking its housing landscape with new co-living and middle housing regulations that could reshape community dynamics and affordability!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #CommunitySafety #LaceyHousing #AffordableHousing

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5 months ago

Lacey commissioners endorse quarterly regional DEIB meetings, joint outreach and mentorship Commissioners reviewed a report on a regional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) meeting with Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County representatives and supported quarterly collaboration, shared outreach, mentorship and youth engagement.

Lacey commissioners are taking bold steps towards collaboration, endorsing quarterly DEIB meetings to foster community engagement and mentorship across Thurston County!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal #LaceyHumanServices #MentorshipOpportunities

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5 months ago

Board hears 30% design for regional athletic complex: turf, lights, seating and phased options Staff updated the board on 30% designs for the regional athletic complex, describing a base bid to install synthetic turf and lights on Soccer Field 2, alternate Wi‑Fi and hardscape upgrades, and higher-cost future improvements intended to attract regional tournaments. Council will see a work-session update on Nov. 25.

Exciting plans are underway for the regional athletic complex, featuring synthetic turf, new lights, and the potential for future enhancements that could attract competitive teams and boost the local economy!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EconomicImpact

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5 months ago

Lacey holds public hearing on 2026 revenue sources as city projects lower beginning cash and slower new construction City staff opened the first of three public hearings on the 2026 budget, telling the council that an updated county valuation for new construction was substantially lower than earlier estimates and that the general fund faces a roughly $14.7 million reduction driven primarily by lower beginning cash and transfers. Staff outlined components of the 1

Lacey's budget forecast for 2026 just took a hit, revealing a staggering $14.7 million shortfall due to lower-than-expected construction valuations!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #TaxReform #LaceyBudget #EconomicDevelopment

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5 months ago

Lacey authorizes $50,000 commitment to LOTT Class A+ reclaimed water demonstration project Council unanimously authorized the city manager to enter an interlocal agreement with LOTT and commit $50,000 to a Class A+ reclaimed-water/potable-reuse demonstration project, which will compare reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon technologies under state regulatory oversight.

Lacey City Council just greenlit a $50,000 investment in cutting-edge water technology that could reshape our future water supply!

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #SustainableResources #PublicHealth

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5 months ago

City staff recommend continuing 4.5% stormwater rate increase for 2026; consultant study to follow Staff proposed a 4.5% stormwater rate increase for 2026 to address inflation, permit obligations and growing capital/maintenance needs. Presenters said the stormwater permit and increased O&M and capital demands justify the increase and that a full rate study is expected early next year.

City staff are recommending a 4.5% stormwater rate increase for 2026 to manage rising costs and meet new regulatory demands, with a comprehensive rate study on the horizon.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #UrbanForestry #EnvironmentalRegulations #InfrastructureFunding

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5 months ago

Planning staff propose codifying development procedures into new Title 11; council to consider Nov. 18 ordinance City planning staff presented a long draft to move development procedures and Public Works Development Standards into a consolidated Title 11. The Planning Commission recommended approval; staff proposed clarifications on vesting, a 180‑day resubmittal limit, extending approval durations from 18 to 24 months, modernized noticing, administrative‑ vs

Lacey's planning staff is streamlining development procedures into a new Title 11, aiming to enhance clarity and efficiency—could this transform local construction projects?

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #PublicPolicy #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #LaceyDevelopment