Thurston County promoting home electrification with five-party interlocal agreement
By The Nisqually Valley News Staff
Thurston County is beginning to implement its “Energize Thurston” campaign with an interlocal agreement with the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Tenino.
The agreement, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners during its Tuesday, Jan. 21, meeting, will support the implementation of the 2025 “Energize Thurston” heat pump group purchase campaign. The campaign aims to help the community by reducing household energy costs, making homes more efficient and comfortable, and helping to meet regional climate goals.
Each of the five jurisdictions received a grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program in September 2024 to support subsidized installations of high-efficiency electric equipment for low-and moderate-income households. The grants totaled over $2 million in funding from Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act, and over $472,000 will fund the subsidized installations of heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.
The interlocal agreement includes a campaign administration budget totaling $47,000, according to Rebecca Harvey, county climate mitigation senior program manager. Costs will be shared equally among the four main jurisdictions, as the partners agreed to exempt Tenino from the cost share. The per-partner cost share will not exceed $11,750, and the county’s share will come out of its existing climate mitigation budget. Harvey said Thurston County will serve as the lead jurisdiction in the agreement.
Harvey told the board during its Jan. 21 agenda-setting meeting that the county closed its requests for proposals on Jan. 10 for qualified HVAC and plumbing contractors to provide installations and that six finalists were being interviewed.
Auditor’s Office receives award for financial reporting
By The Nisqually Valley News Staff
The Thurston County Auditor’s Financial Services team earned its 18th consecutive Annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
This recognition is awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and highlights the county’s exceptional financial reporting practices, according to a news release.
“The Thurston County Auditor’s Office places the highest priority on fiscal integrity, achieved through strict compliance, robust controls, and the dedication of an outstanding accounting team across the county,” Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said in the release.
Hall oversees the Auditor’s Financial Services Division and serves as the county’s chief financial officer.
The GFOA award enhances the county’s ability to qualify for grants, can improve its bond rating and reassures taxpayers that their funds are managed with accountability and integrity.
Thurston County is among a select group of Washington counties that exceed the State Auditor’s minimum requirements by producing an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The Certificate of Achievement recognizes the ACFR for the 2023 fiscal year, the most recent report available.
Each ACFR covers a fiscal year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. The financial team is currently preparing the 2024 ACFR. Reports from previous years can be accessed on the
Auditor’s Financial Reports webpage at ThurstonAuditor.gov.
The Auditor’s Financial Services Team provides financial services and guidance to Thurston County offices and departments, including accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, financial reporting, grants management and budget.