Thurston County
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Contact:       Don Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440

County Residents Invited to Priorities of Government Forums

Olympia- County residents are urged to attend one of three upcoming public forums to help set future priorities for Thurston County government services.  The forums are part of the “Priorities of Government” study being done by the county along with Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center . (WSU)

A telephone survey of 600 registered voters in the county is the cornerstone of the study.  Survey respondents were asked a series of questions regarding county services; challenges they see for the future and what programs should be a priority for the county in 2006 and beyond.  The forums will be an opportunity to discuss the results of the survey.

Thurston County Chief Administrative Officer Don Krupp says it’s important to hear the opinions of the folks affected by county government.  “County services have an impact on everyone in the county not just those who live in the unincorporated areas.  Whether its health programs, county roads or the courts, everyone is affected by the services we provide.”  Couple the reach of county government services with the revenue challenges the county faces, and it’s doubly important for folks to speak out, according to Krupp.  “Simply stated, our revenue cannot keep pace with the cost of providing services over the long haul.  That will mean some critical decisions regarding services to county residents in the future and that’s why it’s important that we hear from folks.” 

Three forums will be held-

·         Thursday, June 2^nd at Rochester Middle School Commons.

·         Tuesday, June 7^th at Millpond Intermediate School in Yelm.

·         Wednesday, June 8^th at the Worthington Center at Saint Martin ’s College in Lacey.

All three forums will begin at 7 PM.  At each forum, representatives of WSU will go over the results of the survey. 

The audience will then be divided into small groups and asked to analyze the survey and to add additional input.  The audience will then get back together to discuss the findings. 

The survey results, the findings from the forum audiences and other input will then be placed into a final report, to be delivered to county commissioners in August.  The report will be used to help make decisions for the 2006 budget and beyond.

Preliminary results of the telephone survey can be viewed here.