Month: October 2024

Other counties are preparing for layoffs, but here in Pierce County, we’re not cutting any jobs. Why is that? (Or as Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan memorably recently asked, “Are we just smarter?”) Our county operates on a two-year budget that covers 2024 and 2025. Similar to how a football coach might adjust the game plan at halftime, we review our budget midway through the biennium to address any changes in revenues and expenditures. The goal is to responsibly manage the budget so our residents and employees can trust that essential government services will continue, especially when they are needed most. This week, I submitted my plan to the County Council to adjust our budget. These changes account for critical needs and reflect shifts in our revenue and expenses that we couldn’t…

It sometimes feels like we are surrounded by negativity and distressing events. And, yes, there are deeply concerning things going on far away and close to home.  As County Executive, I am well aware of the challenges we face.  But I also get the chance to see and hear many of the positive stories from our work too.  And I wanted to share some of the recent ones with you - they brought a smile to my face!   First up: an inspiring story about a Drug Court graduate.    You may know that Drug Court has been in operation since 1994.  Where the crime has been driven by someone’s drug addiction, this special court works to transform lives in addition to providing accountability.  In all that time, however, there has not…

If someone was counting the number of times I used the word “awesome” during the annual Employee Incentive and Recognition (EI&R) evening, they would have needed all their fingers and toes!  It was just that kind of night. And while awesome is a great word to describe the celebration, so would be inspiring, touching, and funny! The theme of the event was “Building a Legacy of Service” and it was spot on!  (Lillian Scott from the Executive Team submitted that idea.  Congratulations Lillian!) The entire evening was about the individual legacies our colleagues are building AND our combined legacy of service to the people of Pierce County!  The elements of the celebration included: long-term service to our community; significant investments in leadership development; recognizing our newest Gold Leaders; and highlighting…

As I have said many times before, there is nothing like seeing things firsthand.  And sometimes that goes for smelling them, too. How do we know how long our landfill will last?  How do we help our community change some long-established habits?  How effective are our recycling programs? How would you answer these questions? For most of us these are hypothetical questions - but these answers are critically important for our Planning & Public Works Solid Waste Team.  They are responsible for both how we manage our trash and recycling today, as well as planning decades into the future. I recently joined Karen Hultgren and Kari Ann Elling from our Solid Waste Team on a “garbage audit” at the Hidden Valley Transfer Station near Graham.  You may remember them (along…