County Council October 21, 2025

The Council appointed DCD Director Seb Jones as the certifying officer for HUD Environmental documents. During public comment Friends of the San Juans proposed steps to reduce flood risk and to monitor seater intrusion into the aquifer to the Climate Element of the Comp Plan.

After a public hearing the council approved the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program and the 2026 Annual Construction Program including moving funds from a Pear Point sidewalk project to an urgent project to relocate the road near Agate Beach. The Decatur project was determined to be maintenance rather than a capital project and was removed from the priority array. The council approved an ordinance after a public hearing in which six members of the public spoke in support of raising the rates and charges for the Conservation District to provide more stable funding for this high demand service. 

The council heard an update on the new law that provides public safety grants and allows local governments to implement a 1/10 of 1% tax to support these goals. The state has provided some but not final details. Council asked for a more detailed analysis of the county’s needs in the areas potentially eligible for the programs. The council set public hearings for November 25 for a periodic update of the Comprehensive Plan and for ordinances setting property tax levies for Current Expense, County Roads and Land Conservation. The housing coordinator reported that the Five-Year Homeless Plan had reduced the number of goals from 21 to 17 and identified six priorities: expedited permitting for affordable, housing, pre-approved housing plans, SAFE San Juan emergency housing funds, a host Program for teens, cold weather shelters and local funds for rental subsidies.

The council continued the third quarter financial review with most revenue coming in on track and most expenses coming in below budget. They then heard budget presentations from the Fleet Department, the Road Department, The Council Office and Health and Community Services. The fleet proposed to cut costs by moving to leasing from vehicle and equipment needs and raise revenue by providing maintenance services to other public entities. The Roads Department has dedicated funding and has not increased staff in decades. Council members agreed to forego salary COLAs and cut travel and training to meet the 9.5% cut. Health and Community Services met the cut through reorganizing the workload to cut two positions.

* 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.