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Tumwater plans to spend an additional $150,000 annually to migrate its ERP system to the cloud. The Budget and Finance Committee backed the move, which aims to enhance system resilience and provide new features. City officials expect the migration process to take four to six months.
A public hearing on a proposed 24-unit residential development in Tumwater raised concerns about potential impacts on wetlands and airport regulations. Developer Tenino Land Company seeks approval for a planned unit development and binding site plan, which includes reducing wetland buffer zones and cutting down 40 trees. Residents expressed worries about hydrology changes and the project's compliance with city codes.
Tumwater will host a "Clean-Up, Drop-Off" event on Saturday, Oct. 4, allowing residents to safely dispose of old electronics, medications, and sensitive documents. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Tumwater City Hall, with volunteers assisting participants from their vehicles.
Tumwater officials narrowed the potential sites for a new community center to the former WSDOT building and an undeveloped Port of Olympia property. The Kimmie Street site, measuring 24 acres, offers room for future growth but faces concerns about environmental impact and accessibility. Council members expressed mixed opinions on the preferred location.
The Tumwater School District Board plans to adopt an agreement with the City of Tumwater for a School Resource Officer (SRO) Program from 2026 to 2028. Two police officers will serve local high schools and middle schools, ensuring compliance with state school safety laws. The agreement emphasizes student safety and community partnerships.
The Tumwater Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt a food system plan aimed at addressing food insecurity in the area. The plan identifies challenges and opportunities within the city's food system and encourages local food production. Public feedback was largely supportive, though some concerns regarding urban agriculture were raised.
A 25-year-old woman, Ashley Gimbert, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Walmart in Tumwater on September 2. After fleeing from police, she was apprehended the following day and faces charges of second-degree burglary and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Gimbert had previously been banned from all Walmart locations due to an earlier theft incident.
The Tumwater City Council approved increased funding for the design of Trails End Park and a roundabout on 79th Avenue. The contract for Trails End Park rose to $286,249 to enhance public facilities, while the roundabout project's cost increased to $857,266 to accommodate additional design revisions.
Tumwater City Council approved a contract with Olympic Health & Recovery Services for emergency responders to assist individuals facing behavioral issues. The partnership will provide a certified crisis clinician and peer navigator to work alongside the Tumwater Fire Department, offering 24-hour crisis response coverage. Funding comes from a Washington Health Care Authority grant, making it one of two state-funded community-based crisis teams.
Tumwater lost approximately 560 acres of tree canopy from 2020 to 2025, according to its Tree Canopy Assessment Update. The canopy cover decreased from 49% to 38%, with significant losses in single-family residential and commercial zones. The city aims to reach a canopy goal of 39% as part of its Urban Forest Management Plan.