Clark County Councilor Julie Olson likes her job enough to run again, according to a release from her re-election campaign, and she will be seeking another term as part of the county’s governing body.
“I love Clark County,” Olson said. “It has been a great privilege and honor to serve as your first District 2 Clark County Councilor.”
“Whether it is responding to those who call or email my office for assistance or working on policy to help better our community, I am proud of the work I have done in this district and I am excited about what I know we can accomplish together in the future,” Olson wrote.
Olson was first elected to her position on council in 2015 as part of the expansion of what was once a three-member commission into a five-member council, the release stated. Ordinarily terms are four years for councilors, however both Olson’s District 2 seat and the Council Chair seat currently filled by Marc Boldt had special elections with only three years left in the term in 2015.
Olson’s district includes the most urban areas of Clark County outside the City of Vancouver including Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and Felida, as well the cities of Ridgefield and La Center, the release stated.
“I will continue bring a strong, independent voice to the Clark County Council,” Olson stated in the release. “At a time when our county is growing steadily in an improving economy, it’s important to stay focused on economic development opportunities to grow jobs in Southwest Washington with a careful eye on fiscal responsibility.”
“Taxpayers deserve thoughtful consideration on how their tax dollars are spent as the county provides regional services including public safety, mental health services, a court system, adult and juvenile detention facilities, regional parks, land use planning and important transportation infrastructure,” Olson stated.
The release noted significant economic growth opportunities exist in the district specifically along the Highway 99 Corridor, Salmon Creek and north to the I-5/179th Street interchange.
In her first term Olson had worked closely with local legislators to help secure state funding for the I-5/179th Street interchange improvement and continues to work and meet with the Washington State Department of Transportation, Clark County Public Works staff and community stakeholders to ensure the project is moving forward.
The release also mentioned Olson’s work in reallocating $1 million of Real Estate Excise Tax funds in the 2017-2018 budget to dedicate to the county sidewalk program, which will address many of the safety issues in the Highway 99 corridor.
“One of the major issues facing Clark County is planning for the infrastructure to support growth,” Olson stated in the release. “We must focus on the infrastructure improvement inside the Urban Growth Boundary, while maintaining a balance of encouraging growth and sustaining a livable community.”
Olson has served on many board and committees during her tenure on county council including the Columbia River Economic Development Council Executive Board, Workforce Southwest Washington Executive Board, Council for the Homeless, Regional Transportation Council, Discovery Clean Water Alliance, Urban County Policy Board, Fair Site Management Board Liaison, Elder Justice Council, Board of the Greater Parks District, EMS District 2, Schools Advisory Council and in January 2018, Olson was appointed by Governor Inslee to the statewide Forensics Investigations Council.
Currently Olson is the only candidate for her seat.