County Council February 25, 2025
At a February 19 special meeting as requested by the organizing committee, the council removed the proposition for a Parks District on Lopez from the April 22 ballot. On February 25, the new risk and safety manager, emergency preparedness coordinator and victim advocate were introduced. In public comment a citizen proposed the county consider using pre-approved stock plans to simplify permitting for owner-builders.
The council did a second touch on three Land Bank items including a sale to the National Park Service, a conservation easement to the Preservation amending the Land Bank ordinance. The council agreed to continue exploring two options for coroner services--- an interlocal agreement with Skagit and assigning the task to existing staff. For the second option, two employees will attend state training in March. The council set an April 15 public hearing for an ordinance to add a juvenile services representative and a county health representative to the Law and Justice Council. The council approved payment to Washington state ferries for work at Orcas Landing.
The county manager reviewed the possible impact of federal funding issues on San Juan County government services. Environmental Stewardship has high level of funding from federal grants and the Health Department gets about $700,000 to support WIC, Senior Services, Child Vaccination, SNAP and other programs. The Emergency Management Department is small, so modest federal funds loom large in its budget. The PA’s office, the courts and noxious weed control could be impacted. The state government faces its own revenue shortfalls and is unlikely to fill the gap or address other outstanding needs. Council Member Fuller will be attending the National Associations of Counties in Washington DC starting this weekend.
The Public Works Director updated the council on the McKay Harbor Road project, which is increasingly urgent. To move forward the county must commit $2.9 million to the $5.9 total project cost and make firm commitments to do necessary wetland mitigation and acquire needed rights-of-way. This complex project is the first of several that will need to deal with failing shoreside roads as sea levels rise. The county needs to develop a policy on managed retreat for threatened roads in the comprehensive plan.
The requests for proposals for emergency passenger and barge service under the governor’s emergency fund are out and on the Engage website. Bids are due March 13 deadline. Governor Ferguson would like to visit the county this spring and ferry service will be a focus.  Â
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