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Pierce County Council
Public Notice: The Pierce County Council offers hybrid meetings that allow public attendance in person or through remote access. Details on how to attend remotely are listed on meeting agendas.
About the Council
The Council is the legislative branch of Pierce County government and is the policy-determining body of the County, as provided by the County Charter. The Council has all powers of the County not otherwise reserved to the people, the Executive, or general law. Members are elected from seven contiguous and equally populated districts. Each county councilmember represents a district having a population of approximately 131,500 people and is elected to four year terms.The Pierce County Council adopted the 2022-2023 Biennial Budget Nov. 23, 2021. View the Budget Summary here and find out more information about the Biennial Budget at Council's Biennial Budget website.
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Pierce County Council approves budget adjustments
“The bulk of the changes to the budget were done to support the anticipated impacts of the proposed labor agreement with the deputies guild,” said Council Chair Derek Young. Read on... -
Council adopts policy to allow temporary safe parking facilities in unincorporated areas
The temporary regulations would allow religious organizations, civic groups, and commercial property owners to provide a safe place for people without a residence to stay in their cars. Read on... -
Partnership with city of Tacoma brings more affordable housing to region
Vacant land that sat untouched for 15 years will get new life as a future affordable housing project, thanks to a partnership between Pierce County and the city of Tacoma. Read on... -
Council statement on adoption of settlement agreement with Ellis family
Council approved a $4M settlement agreement Tuesday with the family of Manuel Ellis, ending Pierce County's involvement with the lawsuit filed by the family. Read on...
What's on the agenda?
Each week the Pierce County Council holds a series of meetings to discuss and review ordinances, motions and budgets to ensure county government operates in an efficient, transparent and cost-effective manner with equal access for all county residents. Members meet as a collective body every Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Here are some of the items before the Council this week:
Monday (May 23)
10 a.m.: Rules and Operations committee will review agendas for the week of May 30 – June 3, 2022, the May 31, 2022 regular meeting agenda and 2022-34, an ordinance declaring a county-owned roller/compactor surplus and authorizing its sale. Join via Zoom.
11 a.m.: Study Session to review upcoming meeting agendas, grants, amendments, and administrative items, hear a first quarter financial report, an update on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and have a contract processing discussion with the finance department. Join via Zoom.
1:30 p.m.: Public Safety Committee will hear a report on Pierce County Superior Court by presiding Judge Phil Sorensen. Join via Zoom.
Tuesday (May 24)
9:30 a.m.: Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee (Join via Zoom) will review a wheeled all-terrain vehicle route evaluation in response to resolutions R2021-137 and R2021-149, and review the following:
- 2022-35, an ordinance related to wheeled all-terrain vehicles that would amend county code to allow street legal vehicles on specified segments of state Routes 7 and 706 in Elbe and Ashford.
- R2022-78, a resolution initiating evaluation of certain segments of Orting-Kapowsin Highway East and the roadway known as “Farm Loop” to allow wheeled all-terrain vehicles and requesting a recommendation from the county engineer.
- R2022-83, a resolution identifying street lighting and other neighborhood traffic projects for funding and requesting the county engineer to review and authorize the projects.
12 p.m.: Study Session includes review of the day’s regular meeting agenda and reports from external boards and commissions. Join via Zoom.
3 p.m.: Regular meeting. Join via Zoom. Items before Council for final consideration include:
- Ordinances
- 2022-36, an ordinance amending Pierce County Code to allow temporary safe parking sites through a limited duration pilot program and requesting the Planning and Public Works Department to complete an analysis and ultimately a recommendation for Planning Commission review for permanent regulations.
- Resolutions
- R2022-76, a resolution accepting funding recommendations for the Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts Fund and approving certain expenditures of funds appropriated in the 2022-2023 biennial budget.
- R2022-77, a resolution requesting the Planning and Public Works Department address climate change and environmental resiliency in all elements of the Comprehensive Plan periodic update consistent with the county’s adopted greenhouse gas reduction policy and requesting the department conduct an environmental review and evaluation of impacts of proposed amendments to ensure consistency with the county’s greenhouse gas reduction policy.
Wednesday (May 25)
10 a.m.: Performance Audit Committee will have a discussion around the county's property tax exemption for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Join via Zoom.
6 p.m.: Special District 6 In-District Council Meeting will focus on housing and homelessness, including updates from county staff, reports from the mayors of Lakewood, DuPont and Steilacoom and two Performance Audit Committee reports. Join via Zoom.
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Office of the Council
View member and district information, history, and staff contact information.
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Council & Committee Meetings
Find Council and committee meeting agendas, legislation, and other information.
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Legislation & Recognition
Search passed and proposed legislation, see how to provide comment on legislation, or request a proclamation or recognition to be considered by Council.
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Council Priorities and Budget
Find out about the Council’s legislative priorities that are carried out through legislative and budget action.
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Council Responsibilities
Learn about Regional Leadership, Performance Audits, Special Districts, Committees and Task-Forces
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County Charter and Code
Establish organization, power, function and procedures of County government, and codification of all ordinances of a general or permanent nature, or laws of the County.
COVID-19 news and information
For the latest public health information about COVID-19 visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Pierce County Districting Committee (September 2021)
The Pierce County Council appointed members to the Pierce County Districting Committee Sept. 7, 2021 through adoption of Resolution R2021-157. Follow the committee process.
Ad Hoc Committee to End Homelessness (March 2021)
The Pierce County Council created the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee to facilitate further planning to help end homelessness in Pierce County through Resolution 2021-30s. Learn more about the work this committee did.
Law & Justice Public Review Committee (November 2020)
The Pierce County Council created the law and justice public review committee to review reports generated by the county’s law and justice departments, per Resolution R2020-43. In June the Council directed the County Executive to review the policies, procedures and best practices of these departments. The Public Review Committee met over seven weeks to review this information, then drafted and presented a report to Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting. View the recorded meeting and the report.
Human Services Study & Presentation (September 2019)
This report focuses on the identification of nine (9) areas of opportunity to help the department deliver services more efficiently and effectively, leverage additional funding opportunities to provide the most effective services, and better structure service delivery to align with the department’s core mission: to ensure all of Pierce County has equitable access to community based services that respect each person's unique experience.
Pierce County Affordable Housing Incentives (August 2019)
The report estimates the value of the County’s programs for affordable housing and makes several recommendations related to the standardization and promotion of affordable housing incentives and coordination with other jurisdictions in the management of affordable housing funds.
Broadband Study (April 2019)
The report makes recommendations on the county’s franchise process, regulations that would assist in the build‐out of broadband infrastructure, and a proposal for an action plan should policymakers desire to engage in efforts to expand broadband technology into the lesser‐served parts of the county. Learn more about how Pierce County is working to bridge the broadband divide.
The Office of the Pierce County Council is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact the office at 253-798-7777 or contact the appropriate staff. The Pierce County Council offers in-person and remote meeting attendance at its meetings. Learn how to get involved. Visitors to the Office or Council Chambers must use the second floor entrance of the County-City Building, which is on the backside of the building from the ground floor entrance off Tacoma Avenue South.
Contact Us
Phone: (253) 798-7777
Toll Free: (800) 992-2456
Fax: (253) 798-7509
Email: [email protected]
Follow Council on social media
Twitter: @PierceCoCouncil
Facebook: @PierceCountyCouncil
Visiting the Pierce County Council?
Use the Gold Parking Lot (Validated). Learn about other available parking.