March 12, 2026

CITY MANAGER'S MESSAGE

Celebrating the People Who Serve Lacey

Last week, we took time to recognize our employees during Employee Appreciation Week and reflect on the dedication they bring to serving our community each day.



Across departments, staff paused briefly from their daily routines to connect with colleagues, share a few laughs, and recharge together. These moments of connection are important — they strengthen the teamwork and collaboration that help us deliver the high level of service our community members expect and deserve.

The City is fortunate to have a workforce that cares deeply about our community. Every day, our employees maintain infrastructure, support public safety, protect our environment, assist community members and businesses, and plan for Lacey’s future.

The work happening across our City is something I’m proud of, and it’s made possible by the passion, professionalism, and commitment of our staff. I’m grateful for our team and the difference they make for the people of Lacey.

Take a look at just a handful of their 2025 accomplishments.

• Public Works Teams maintained over 287 miles of water and sewer mains and supporting valves, pumps, lift stations and treatment systems, ensured our roadways are safe and maintained, managed the City’s construction program, and ensured our water system and groundwater is protected.
• Joint Animal Services provided services for 292,675 community members and established an animal cruelty response team.
• Lacey Veterans Hub provided housing support for 610 clients and helped 3,608 Veterans access vital services.
• Police handled 44,842 calls for service, operated the community resource unit and mobile outreach team connecting services to those in need, built positive relationships in our schools and community through the school resource officer program, and hosted/attended several community events.
• City Clerk’s team improved accessibility of Council meeting materials on the public records portal and managed all City records and public meetings ensuring transparency in our work.
• Communications Team responded to over 619 requests in LaceyWorks and provided information to the community through programing on Lacey TV77, community newsletters, social media, and the City’s website.
• Human Resources conducted recruitment for 68 Full-Time Employees, continued to train and prepare staff for emergency response, and implemented professional development programs to improve our skills.
• Community and Economic Development assisted over 93 new businesses in Lacey, supported the development of affordable housing, and facilitated energy rebates to Lacey households.
• Permit Activity and Process Improvements Team completed 2,770 permits and 4,055 inspections.
• Lacey Parks teams had 821 kids participate in day camp programs, organized important community events such as July 3rd fireworks, and provided passive and active recreation opportunities to our community.
• Finance's Utility Team maintained accounts, billing processes, and provided customer assistance to over 27,000 water customers. 

Thank you to our amazing team!

—  Rick Walk

CITY MANAGER'S SPOTLIGHT: It's the People!

Cheers to the Years!

As part of last week’s celebration, we also recognized employees who have reached significant service milestones with the City. These anniversaries represent years — and in many cases decades — of dedication to public service. Their experience, knowledge, and commitment have helped shape the organization we are today, and we are grateful for the lasting contributions they have made to our community … simply put, “it’s the people” who make Lacey special.

35 Years

Violet Clerget, Accounting Technician

Sue Falash, Recreation Manager

30 Years

Keith Mercer, Patrol Officer

25 Years

Kevin Cools, Project Inspector

Michele Mantle, Utility Billing Specialist II

20 Years

Ryan Andrews, Community Planning Manager

Jim Baker, SCADA/Controls Specialist

Kathy Bailey, Customer Service Specialist, Animal Services

Doug Christenson, Stormwater Engineering Manager

Tom Faye, Sr. Maintenance Technician - Wastewater

Keven Inman, Project Inspector

Scott Johnston, Transportation Supervisor

Chris Nickell, Sr. Water Treatment Technician

Sarah Schelling, Current Planning and Economic Development Manager

Samra Seymour, Senior Planner

Liz Spiller, Department Assistant III, Parks, Culture, and Recreation

Congratulations to each of these employees on reaching these significant milestones!

NEWS & UPDATES

Housing Stability Support: City Partnership Helps Families Stay Safely Housed

Stable housing is the foundation for healthy families and strong communities. When households face unexpected challenges, even a short-term setback can put them at risk of losing their homes. The City’s Human Services Grant Program helps prevent that by investing up to $300,000 each year in nonprofit partners that provide essential services such as housing support, food access, healthcare, and family assistance.

One grant recipient, the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, used City funding to provide critical housing support to residents in the Lacey area. During the most recent grant cycle, the organization assisted 21 Lacey households with direct financial support for move-in deposits, rent, eviction prevention, emergency hotel stays, utilities, and other urgent housing needs. Combined with housing case management, these services helped stabilize households experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

One resident, Ms. Susan, relocated to Lacey expecting to move into a senior apartment shortly before the holidays. When unexpected delays left her unit unavailable, she quickly exhausted her limited retirement income paying for hotel rooms and was eventually forced to sleep in her car with her cat, Simon. With support from the City’s Human Services Grant funding, housing staff were able to secure an extended hotel stay during the winter cold snap and help cover the remaining deposit on her apartment once it became available. Soon after the new year, Ms. Susan and Simon moved safely into their new home, where they are now settling in and enjoying life in Lacey.

The program also helped other residents facing housing crises, including a senior whose apartment was severely damaged by a sewage flood and a single father who was able to secure housing for himself and his infant son while pursuing computer programming courses at South Puget Sound Community College.

Overall, the program served 423 households across the region, including 76 households in Lacey. These efforts reflect the City’s commitment to helping residents stay housed, supporting families through crisis, and strengthening the well-being of the community.

Through partnerships like this, the Human Services Grant Program continues to make a meaningful difference for local families by providing stability, opportunity, and hope when it is needed most. To learn more or to see the complete list of recipients, visit the Human Services Grant Program webpage.

Lacey Veterans Services Hub Featured in 
JBLM Magazine

Exciting news! The Lacey Veterans Services Hub (LVSH) is featured in the 2026 Ranger and Airlifter's magazine published by Joint Base Lewis-McChord!

The article highlights the impactful work happening at the LVSH to support Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, and their families throughout our community. Through housing support, benefits navigation, employment assistance, and connections to vital resources, the LVSH continues to make a meaningful difference for those who have served 
our nation.

Being featured in the JBLM magazine is a proud moment for the City and reflects the strong partnership between Lacey and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It also shines a spotlight on the dedicated staff and partners who work every day to ensure Veterans and military families have the support they need.

We encourage community members to take a moment to explore the magazine and learn more about the incredible work happening right here in Lacey!

Apply Today for the Lacey Community Academy!

Ever wonder how your city works behind the scenes? Here’s your chance to find out! The City is currently accepting applications for the second annual Lacey Community Academy! This 7-week, hands-on program is designed to give residents a closer look at how city government operates.

If you’re 18 or older and live in Lacey or its Urban Growth Area, this is your opportunity to learn about city services, meet City Councilmembers and staff, and see how taxpayer dollars are put to work. Academy participants will even get exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of City facilities and discover ways to get involved in local government.

The Academy runs Thursday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m., starting April 16. Space is limited to 18 participants, and applications will be accepted through March 23, or until all spots are filled.

Don’t miss your chance to see Lacey from a new perspective! Learn more and apply on the

Lacey Community Academy webpage.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Creativity Corner: Buzz into March!

Spring is on the way and creativity is in full bloom 
at the Lacey Museum! Stop by our new location during March for Creativity Corner: Bees, a fun, hands-on craft where you can create your own bumblebee to take home.

This free activity is open to all ages and is a great way to celebrate the season, spend time together, and get creative.

Event Details:

• Dates: Through March 28
• Times: Thursday and Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Location: Lacey Museum (4160 6th Ave SE)

Drop in, get crafty, and welcome spring with a little buzz of creativity.

VA Home Loans 101: Your Path to Homeownership

Veterans, service members, and military families are invited to attend a free VA home loan class to learn how VA benefits can help make homeownership more accessible.

Hosted by local VA loan specialists, this informational session will walk participants through the basics of how VA home loans work, including eligibility and entitlement requirements. Attendees will learn about key benefits such as no down payment options, flexible credit requirements, and no private mortgage insurance.

Next Class Details:

• Date: Monday, March 16
• Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Lacey Veterans Services Hub (4232 6th Ave SE, Suite 101)

The session will also cover how VA loans can be used when buying, selling, investing, or managing property, along with tips for avoiding common lending pitfalls.

Additional Upcoming Class Dates:

• Tuesday, April 7
• Tuesday, April 21
• Thursday, May 7
• Tuesday, May 19
• Thursday, June 11
• Tuesday, June 23

Want more details? View the event flyer here.

These free sessions are open to active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and military families who want to better understand how to use their VA home loan benefits.

To register or ask questions, contact 206-941-0484 or email MJohnston@Listings.com.

Coffee with a Cop: Join Us for Coffee and Conversation

Start your morning with coffee, conversation, and some four-legged friends at Coffee with a Cop!

Join the Lacey Police Department on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, from 8 - 10 a.m. at Starbucks (2350 Marvin Rd. NE) for a chance to connect with local officers and members of the community.

This casual, come-as-you-are event is all about conversation. There is no formal agenda. Just a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and get to know the people who serve our community.

Bonus! Our friends from Joint Animal Services will also join the fun with some adorable adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes. Stop by to say hello, meet some sweet pups, and maybe even make a new furry friend.

Wear your green, grab a cup of coffee, and join the conversation!

Event details:

·    Date: Tuesday, March 17

·    Time: 8 - 10 a.m.

·    Location: Starbucks (2350 Marvin Rd. NE)

Chief Leschi, Governor Isaac Stevens, and the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854

In 1854, leaders from tribes across the South Puget Sound gathered near Medicine Creek for a council that would shape the future of the region. At the center of that moment were Chief Leschi, a respected Nisqually leader, and Isaac Stevens, the newly appointed governor of Washington Territory tasked with negotiating treaties with Native nations.

This presentation explores the historic meeting between these two leaders and the events surrounding the Medicine Creek Treaty. Attendees will learn about the circumstances that brought tribal leaders and territorial officials together, the difficult negotiations that followed, and the lasting impacts the treaty continues to have on Native and non-Native communities in the region today.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 19
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers
• Want to attend virtually? Register here!

Drew Crooks will lead the presentation. Crooks holds a bachelor’s degree in history and anthropology and a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Washington. For more than 35 years, he has worked with museums throughout the South Puget Sound, written numerous articles and five books on the region’s heritage, and presented history talks for school classes and community groups.

Save the Date: Military Spouse Career Workshop

Military spouses bring valuable leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving skills to the workforce. This free workshop will help participants translate those strengths into meaningful career opportunities.

Hosted by Hire Heroes USA, the workshop will focus on turning military spouse experience into career-ready skills, strengthening resumes, and building confidence for interviews. Participants will gain practical tools and guidance for their next professional step.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, May 12
• Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Location: Lacey Veterans Services Hub (4232 6th Ave SE, Suite 101)

For additional details, view the event flyer.

Want to learn more about the Lacey Veterans Services Hub (LVSH)? The LVSH connects veterans, service members, and their families with a wide range of local resources and support services. Attending this workshop is a great opportunity to explore the space and learn more about the programs available to the military community!

PARTNER POSTS

Reminder: Second Weekend of Lane Closures on I-5 Nisqually River Bridge

If you travel on I-5 across the Nisqually River Bridge, plan for weekend morning delays. WSDOT crews will reduce I-5 to two lanes from 6 a.m. to noon to clean the bridge.

Southbound I-5: Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15

Bridge cleaning helps keep inspections on track and ensures the bridge stays in good condition. Expect slower traffic and possible congestion near the work zone. When driving through work zones, slow down, stay alert, and plan extra time for your trip.

Check current traffic conditions on the WSDOT app or the statewide travel map before you go.

UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS

City Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 17 at 6 p.m.

Historical Commission Meeting

Wednesday, March 18 at 6 p.m.

For details on how to participate in our Public Meetings, visit our webpage.

JOB OPENINGS

Now Hiring

The City is recruiting for the following positions:

• Bus Driver

• Full-Time Temporary Laborers - Streets, Signs & Markings, and Stormwater Maintenance

• Full-Time Temporary Maintenance Aide - Parks

• Licensed Veterinary Technician



• Museum Assistant - Collections

• Parks Maintenance Aide II - RAC & Rainier Vista

• Parks Maintenance Aide III - RAC & Rainier Vista

• Part-Time Parks Maintenance Aide - RAC & Rainier Vista



• Police Officer - Entry Level

• Police Officer - Lateral

• Recreation Aide I/II/III - Playground Pals & Summer Day Camp

• Recreation Aide III - Special Events



• Recreation Aide III - Special Events Technician

• Recreation Aide III - Summer Teen Programs

• Recreation Programs Site Coordinator (Playground Pals, Summer Lunch Program, Summer Day Camp)



• Temporary Parks Maintenance Aide - Weekends

If you have any questions about these positions, contact the Human Resources Department. To learn more and apply for any of our current openings, visit our recruitment webpage.

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