San Juan County Board of Health September 16, 2026
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: SJC Board of Health September 16, 2026
Arlesia Bailey is the new executive director of Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Evergreen Recovery has posted two job positions, based in the county and in partnership with the SJC Sheriff’s Department. Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) approved a 3% budget increase ($210 for the county). The NWRC is part of a statewide consortium to lobby the state legislature to maintain funding streams for health homes and senior nutrition programs.
San Juan County has received fluctuating opioid settlement payments from national litigation, stabilized at ~$50,000/year. These funds will support existing programs, including the Evergreen Recovery positions, to ensure sustainability.
The October meeting will address respiratory virus season and vaccination campaigns. There is growing concern over Kratom leaf and its psychoactive compound 7-OH, due to lack of FDA, DEA, or local regulation. The state legislature will address these substances in its next session.
A projected deficit of over $4 million for FY2027 led Health and Community Services to review about $1 million in non-mandated services, highly valued community services but not legally required. To prevent immediate cuts, staff secured grant funding to support 2027 operations. The 2028 fiscal year may face further budget cuts of $3 to 4 million. A formal public budget hearing is scheduled for October 7th.
The Planned Parenthood Partnership hired a local Orcas Island nurse practitioner and medical assistant. The clinic schedule is 2 days per month in Friday Harbor and 2 days per month on Orcas (every other Thursday). This will reduce mainland travel, improve continuity of care, and align with the Youth Health Priorities and Youth Community Health Assessment.
After analysis, Environmental Health department has been significantly undercharging on fee items, while overcharging on a few items. The Board discussed a 10% increase for most 2027 permits, with continued subsidy of OSS fees. They tentatively scheduled a public hearing for the October or November meeting.
A new high-precision PM2.5 monitoring station has been installed at Second Street and Blair Avenue to monitor fine particulate matter, a major public health concern during wildfire smoke events. The new monitor will allow the county to receive an official EPA air quality grade based on National Ambient Air Quality Standards. NWCAA will also deploy 15 low-cost PurpleAir sensors across local microclimates, adjusting EPA-based data correction. NWCAA is seeking long-term local hosts to help identify strategic locations for the sensors. The county will create a webpage to display Air Quality Index (AQI) and local weather data.
*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.