September 1, 2026 - Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Business Meeting.

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held a business meeting on September 1, 2026, which included public comments and discussions primarily focused on the implementation of a regional Home Energy Score (HES) program. The board considered approving a $169,000 contract with Earth Advantage, a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Department of Energy, to support the development and implementation of the HES program across Thurston County and participating cities. The program aims to integrate home energy scores into real estate listings via the MLS system and includes phases for program development, assessor onboarding, and community engagement. Several public comments from the Thurston County Realtors Association expressed concerns about enforcement procedures, data sharing, and the timing of the program given current economic conditions and budget constraints. The board discussed budget sources, noting the funds come from the climate mitigation fund originally set aside from the general fund, and emphasized ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to address concerns. The contract was ultimately approved with some commissioners expressing reservations or abstaining. Other topics included updates on emergency management, voter registration, and community conservation efforts, but no additional procurement actions were taken.