Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to Support Regionally Coordinated Implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to support regionally coordinated implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to support regionally coordinated implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, City Manager’s Office, Climate Program, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2023, Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater executed an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to establish the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative (TCMC) and coordinate implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP). As the TCMC has evolved, the partners have identified several opportunities to reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of regional collaboration. The proposed updates to the ILA are intended to streamline regional coordination and direct more staff capacity and funding toward implementation.
The TCMC Executive Committee reviewed the proposed amendments to the ILA on October 27, 2025, and recommended approval of the amendments.
Summary of Proposed Changes
Regional Initiatives
• Specifies conditions under which Regional Initiatives may proceed without a separate agreement.
Funding
• Establishes a biennial work plan and budget prepared by the Staff Team.
• The Parties’ approval and adoption of their respective budgets serves as the commitment to fund their share of the work plan.
• Allows flexibility for any Party to contract for services and invoice the other Parties.
• Enables flexibility in case a Party is unable to fund any activities in the TCMC work plan or opts out of specific activities/initiatives.
TCMP Updates
• Removes the scheduled 2026 administrative update.
• Allows minor administrative updates at any time and permits the Executive Committee to delay or cancel future updates if unnecessary.
Greenhouse Gas Inventories (GHGI)
• Allows use of countywide GHGIs prepared by other entities.
• Adjusts GHGI cycle to every 3-5 years.
Meetings and Reporting
• Reduces Community Advisory Workgroup meetings to quarterly (with the option for up to two additional meetings per year).
• Makes Annual Retreats optional.
• Reduces TCMP Progress Report frequency to approximately every three years.
Climate Analysis:
The proposed ILA updates are expected to strengthen the TCMC’s capacity to implement the TCMP. By reducing administrative tasks and increasing flexibility for regional initiatives, the updates can help accelerate climate mitigation efforts and support progress toward regional greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed ILA updates aim to streamline administrative processes and shift resources toward implementation. While this does not have any direct equity impacts, more efficient implementation could support equitable outcomes by enabling more focused effort on climate mitigation initiatives that benefit all community members.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
During the TCMP planning process, many stakeholders and community members voiced support for taking significant action to reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. These community members expressed the importance of both development and implementation of the TCMP, and have continued to express their support for regionally coordinated action and investment in climate action.
Financial Impact:
The anticipated cost for TCMC activities in 2026 is $90,000 per partner jurisdiction. This includes the anticipated cost for program administration and implementation of regional initiatives. This was included in Olympia’s proposed 2026 climate program budget and would not incur any additional costs to the City.
In subsequent even-numbered years, the TCMC Staff Team will provide a proposed biennial TCMC work plan and budget for review by the Parties, by no later than June 1, for the subsequent two calendar years. For the purposes of this Agreement, the approval and adoption of the respective budgets by the Parties will serve as the commitment to fund each Party’s share of the TCMC.
Options:
1. Move to approve the resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to support regionally coordinated implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
2. Request specific amendments to the interlocal agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to support regionally coordinated implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
3. Do not approve the resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement between Thurston County, City of Lacey, City of Olympia, and City of Tumwater to support regionally coordinated implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement