County Council June 10, 2025

State legislators Lekanoff, Ramel and Lovelett reported on what was accomplished in the legislative session, including work on increasing housing supply, securing health insurance in the face of Medicaid cuts, progress on salmon recovery, more support for schools, maintaining improvements for San Juan ferry service and funding projects in the county like the Pea Pod projects and Lopez Food Center. They kept climate commitment funding and passed recycling reform.

The council held public hearings and approved ordinances on vacation rental permits in Eastsound and Lopez Village and amending land tables.  An Orcas resident asked the council to address a regulatory gap in the Eastsound vacation rental permits. They approved an ordinance vacating an unused county road on the fairgrounds and ordinance clarifying that parking infractions incur fines only and not civil infractions assessments. The council approved two applications to the state recreation and conservation office (RCO) for funding for the Land Bank Coho preserve project and an Environmental Stewardship Department salmon recovery project. Council member Fuller will talk to the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) about getting RCO to address some potentially problematic language in the contracts. The Council adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing on a petition to form a Lopez Island Parks and Recreation District and set a public hearing on July 15.

The Sheriff and County Manager reported they identified a possible location on Lopez Island to relocate the sheriff’s substation from the fire district building before their lease ends on December 31. If they secure the property, they have the offer of a free modular building that Island County is seeking to rehome. They will need to pay only for transportation and basic remodeling and repair. The county will do further due diligence and consultation with the Lopez community. The county made an interim change to raise the allowed lodging expense for people staying in San Juan County on county business and will review other proposed adjustments to the county travel and meal policy with the auditor’s and PA’s offices.

The Council has been invited to a Lummi tribal event on June 16. The Governor’s visit on June 14 will include a public meeting at the Brickworks focused on ferry and transportation issues. The county hired a new public defender to begin August 8. A new State Supreme Court decision on public defense could increase county funding needs. They will interview six candidates to head the Department of Community Development.

 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.