Support local funding for Thurston Conservation District
To achieve local goals like retaining open spaces, preserving agriculture, and managing impacts of growth, people in every corner of Thurston County need access to conservation services.
- Over 79% of Thurston County is privately owned, and our population is approaching 300,000 — we can’t expect healthy natural resources and farmland without informed public involvement in conservation.
Thurston Conservation District (TCD) is the accessible hub of natural resource and agricultural expertise for people in our county.
- For over 75 years, our local team has connected people to free and low-cost services that help them practice conservation where they are — whether on a farm or in a neighborhood.
Our proposed system of rates and charges public funding is the linchpin for Thurston CD to deliver conservation services at a county-wide scale, and we need your support to see that continue!
Rates and Charges for TCD benefits everyone, regardless of land ownership or direct involvement in conservation projects.
“These improvements will help the community by providing cleaner water throughout the watershed and ideal environmental conditions for protected open spaces that surround our small community. I am beyond thrilled that TCD can help so many landowners throughout Thurston County. They are an invaluable asset to our county and resources they can bring to all of us.” – Voluntary Stewardship Program Participant
“Through the work of the Thurston CD, we are creating stewards, knowledge and strategies around conservation, which benefit the greater good.” – 2023 TCD Stakeholder Survey Participant
“By supporting conservation efforts throughout the County, from rural to urban, TCD helps protect water and builds habitat, enables more sustainable agriculture, and enhances the capacity of partner organizations to also maximize their effectiveness in shared conservation goals.” – 2023 TCD Stakeholder Survey Participant
“The CD is for all age groups — families, students, educators, volunteers, career based; a hub of resources that is not just one dimensional.” (2023 Thurston CD Stakeholder Survey Participant)
How you can get involved
Your voice matters! Here’s how to participate in the conversation about Thurston CD rates and charges:
- Contact Your County Commissioner
The five-member Thurston County Board of Commissioners will vote on the Thurston CD rates and charges proposal on December 10th, 2024 at 2pm. Each Commissioner represents one of five county district — use this map of Thurston County Commissioner Districts to find yours.
Visit the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners website and click on the Commissioner representing your district. You’ll find contact information for each Commissioner on their profile page. - Attend the County Commissioner’s Public Hearing
Attend in person or virtually the County Commissioner’s public hearing on our funding and share your public comment. It will be Dec. 10th at 2pm at the Thurston County Building Rm. 110 (3000 Pacific Ave SE Olympia, 98501).
Thanks to everyone who submitted public comment and attended our Public Hearing in May 2024!
What are rates and charges?
“Rates and charges” refer to county-approved fees that local residents pay to cover public services in the community.
For example, county residents pay water and sewer management fees that are based on a county-approved system of rates and charges to cover the cost of those services.
How much will it cost me as a county resident?
If you live in the conservation district boundaries, you will annually pay $5 per parcel + $0.10 per acre. This will automatically show up on your property tax statement.
Why does TCD need public funding?
Conservation districts are about public service, not private profit. As mission-driven public entities, our budgets are tied to public funding and project-specific grants, and we can’t pursue commercial activities that aren’t directly related to our mission.
Why can’t TCD use other funding sources?
We do! TCD is the proud recipient of state, federal, local and private grants. But grant funding is a volatile revenue source that fluctuates year-to-year.
Grant criteria can be rigid or disconnected from our community’s priorities, making it difficult to tailor grant-funded services to local needs. Rates and charges allow for local control of how those funds are invested in the county.
Why is TCD proposing a 10-year rates and charges schedule?
Long-term local funding for TCD is the optimal choice for our community. Thurston County residents will benefit from:
Predictability: Reduced uncertainty about future funding gives us space to develop Thurston County-specific programs to solve and support complex natural resource and agriculture challenges, such as our unique endangered and threatened wildlife species and vibrant local agriculture economy.
Focus on Service: TCD will focus more on our mission and providing quality community service, rather than dealing with financial uncertainties and developing contingency plans for county-funded services, such as our popular soil testing program.
Investment in a local Conservation Education Center: This funding helps unlock the door to a Conservation Education Center (CEC) for our community. The CEC will be a “conservation hub” that unites urban and rural residents of all ages in learning about managing farmland, agricultural businesses, wildlife habitat, shorelines and other natural resources. Learn more about our plan for the CEC here.
How will a decision be made about TCD’s proposed renewal for rates and charges?
Two decisions will be made about the proposed rates and charges renewal:
1) The TCD Board of Supervisors voted on the proposed rates and charges at their May business meeting. The proposal the Board adopted will then go to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
2) Summer/Fall 2024 the Thurston County Board of Commissioners votes on the rates and charges system. If passed, TCD rates and charges will take effect from 2025-2034.
Resources
Interested in learning more about Rates and Charges?
Sarah Moorehead
Executive Director
smoorehead@thurstoncd.com
360-754-3588
You can also use our contact form.