County Council January 20, 2026
During public access time a resident raised concerns that the county recently issued a permit for a large hangar on a Tarte Rd. property which would impact the rural character of the area with a determination of non-significance (DNS) which violated an earlier finding by the hearing examiner.
The council set a public hearing for February 10 on updating the county code regarding Eastsound Village Commercial Land Use Designations to conform to recently amended Land Use Maps in the Comp Plan. The Council approved a county service agreement with Samish Indian Nation to provide law enforcement services for two tribal properties on Lopez Island held in trust by the Federal government. The tribe will make a separate agreement with the Lopez Island Fire district.
The council discussed ferry issues that would be in play during the 2026 legislative session. They agreed on a letter of support for the governor’s budget proposal allocating $1 billion for three additional ferries. The county will support the “mosquito fleet” bill to allow local jurisdictions to provide passenger ferry services. They will work with the new caucus of counties supporting WSF and with federal legislators. The council discussed a division of responsibilities on ferries among them as council member McVeigh becomes the liaison to the Ferries Advisory Committee.
The Public Works and the Environmental Stewardship directors updated the council on a proposed project to secure the barge landing at Jackson Beach while doing beach restoration at the site. After researching several options, it became clear that doing both at the site was not practically or financially feasible. The council agreed that securing the barge landing was essential. Public Works is moving the revetment up shore to maintain the existing road threatened by erosion.
The Council reconfirmed they would seek a single year permanent levy lid lift on the April ballot. They will bring the auditor’s office into the discussion and get more analysis of shortfalls before setting a rate and naming the beneficiary departments.
The council reviewed bills of interest in the state legislative session and discussed priorities with the county lobbyist. The Council recessed and convened as the governing Board of the Lopez Solid Waste District and approved 2026 tipping fees.
* The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.