September 30, 2026 - Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Work Session

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners’ September 30, 2026 work session included an informational update on Intercity Transit’s East Martin Way Gateway turnaround project. Intercity Transit and consultant SCJ Alliance reported on community outreach and survey results: 72% of respondents supported or were indifferent to the roundabout option, while others preferred a signalized alternative. Feedback included requests for more frequent, reliable bus service and concerns about congestion, neighborhood access, safety, and cost. County staff said the next step is to bring forward an interlocal agreement for the Board’s consideration; it would define the parties’ responsibilities and authorize design, right-of-way, and construction phases. The transcript indicates Intercity Transit would fund the project, but no agreement or spending action was approved at this session.

The Board also received updates to the year-end budget calendar: the public hearing is scheduled for December 7, final deliberations and property-tax certification for December 8, and budget adoption for December 15. Review of midterm budget adjustments was postponed to the following week so staff could incorporate Board direction, with a second and final review scheduled for October 14. No specific budget amounts or procurement awards were discussed, and no votes were reported.