On Tuesday, July 16, the Pierce County Council approved its consent agenda containing Proposal O2024-540, an ordinance adopting interim amendments to three chapters in the Pierce County Code (PCC) to eliminate regulatory barriers for Temporary Housing Communities, or THCs, in unincorporated Pierce County. A similar proposal came before Council as Proposal O2024-538 on Tuesday, July […]
Pierce County Council to Consider Interim Ordinance to Remove Barriers to Emergency Shelters
Pierce County is currently facing a public health and safety emergency with respect to homelessness. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count exposed a 23% year-over-year increase in homelessness, with 30% living unsheltered. The closure of the FOB (Forward Operating Base) Hope Veterans Village, the county’s only sanctioned veteran’s tent encampment, will further heighten the need for emergency […]
Council Statement on the Loss of Tacoma City Council Member Catherine Ushka
The Pierce County Council is deeply saddened to hear about the loss of our friend and governing partner, Catherine Ushka. She was a dedicated and passionate community leader, and her unwavering commitment to public service has left an indelible mark on our community. Her legacy of service will continue to shape and inspire us for […]
Council’s CDEC to Hold Public Hearing on Amendments to Executive’s Preferred Alternative to Comprehensive Plan Update Approach
Pierce County is gearing up for its 2024 Comprehensive Plan (plan) update, a process mandated by state law under the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). To balance the plan and better understand the benefits and trade-offs of different approaches, Pierce County has studied three options: You have an opportunity to share your perspective on […]
Ending Homelessness: Pierce County Council Charts Path Towards Unified Regional Approach
In March 2022, Pierce County took a significant step in the fight against homelessness by officially adopting a Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness (CPEH). This plan, comprised of six crucial goals, prioritizes the formation of a Unified Regional Approach, or URA. The CPEH defines a URA as a coordinating system with a shared vision and operating structure […]
Pierce County Council chooses council leadership for 2024
The Pierce County Council elected to retain its 2023 bipartisan leadership group to serve as Council leadership in 2024 during its first regular meeting of the year, held on Tuesday, Jan. 2. For 2024, Councilmember Ryan Mello (District 4) will continue to serve as Council Chair, Councilmember Marty Campbell (District 5) will continue to serve […]
Pierce County Council Approves New Grant Program for Small Businesses
TACOMA – The Pierce County Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-69s on Tuesday, Dec. 5, establishing a Small Business Strengthening and Security Grant Program to increase the viability and security of small businesses in unincorporated Pierce County and its small cities and or towns with a population less than 8,000. Under the program, eligible small businesses in Pierce County […]
Pierce County Council Adopts 2024-2025 Biennial Budget
TACOMA – On Tuesday, Nov. 21, the culmination of more than two months of work took shape with the Pierce County Council’s adoption of the final 2024-2025 Biennial Budget. The budget is the framework used to fund public services and invest public dollars into the priorities of the community and their elected Council for the next […]
Pierce County Council Fails to Override Community Needs Fund Veto
TACOMA – In a 4-3 vote, the Pierce County Council failed to override County Executive Bruce Dammeier’s veto of the Community Needs Fund (Ordinance No. 2023-68). The Council requires a supermajority to override a veto, where at least five members vote to override the Executive’s action. The program would have authorized the Council to provide funding […]