FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications, tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152

Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

Tacoma City Council Invites Pierce County Council to Enter Discussion on Public Health Services

--Resolution 40710 Opposes Pierce County Council Ordinance Number 20-136 Dissolving Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department—

TACOMA, Wash. – Tonight, the Tacoma City Council voted to approve Resolution 40710, inviting the Pierce County Council to enter a discussion on how to best provide public health services to city and county residents. Resolution 40710 also opposes Pierce County Council’s proposed Ordinance 20-136 which would terminate the interlocal agreement between the City of Tacoma and Pierce County and dissolve the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

"Simply put, this is a tremendously important decision which should not be made lightly," said Mayor Victoria Woodards. "As we face a public health challenge of historic proportions, a decision like this should not be rushed. I urge our peers on the County Council to pause taking action on this measure so that they can hear from the community on this issue and fully explore any impacts of this approach."

“Our relationship of nearly 50 years with Pierce County is an important one and, working with one another, we support the public health of residents across Tacoma and Pierce County,” said Deputy Mayor Keith Blocker. “We urge the Pierce County Council to be a good partner and postpone their consideration of this legislation, and we invite them to give this matter the deeper analysis and discussion it deserves.” 

"The Board of Health is – by design – apolitical," said District 4 City Council Member and Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health Catherine Ushka. "It is comprised of elected officials representing jurisdictions throughout Pierce County and medical professionals. These balanced perspectives are especially critical as we work to prioritize public health while navigating the complexities of the global pandemic."  

General information about the City’s response to COVID-19 will continue to be made available on the “What’s Going On” section of the City’s website. Information about COVID-19 is available at TPCHD.org/coronavirus.

###