Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps.

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.

Friday Harbor Port Commission regular meeting of Sept. 26

The San Juan Economic Development Commission made a presentation in support of their annual funding request. Its programs support services that are seeing state and federal funding levels cut. From September 2024 to June 2025, the EDC served over 370 county businesses through one-on-one support and classes. They provided 14 business support workshops. Business and worker surveys identify workforce training as a critical need in the County. The Port may reduce funding to the EDC and instead find other ways to support them. The commissioners will also review port funding to the Chamber of Commerce for the fireworks.

The 20,000-square-foot building at the recently acquired cannery site will offer opportunities for public and business facilities. Boyd Pratt is writing a history of the cannery, which will support historical exhibits at the facility. Community feedback has been largely positive, with concerns about contamination, cost and the possibility of housing at the location. The Commission will hold workshops to assess opportunities, risks and obstacles, then determine uses and plans for the site to inform zoning adjustments. Broader community conversations will begin around the new year to get public input on cannery site plans.

The Port reviewed the personnel policy and updated it to align with current employment laws. Items addressed military and maternity leave, alcohol and drug-free workplace policies, and basic benefits for Washington state. A “no firearms” policy might be added and extended to lease agreements.

The commissioners reviewed their discretionary funding. Costs for the newsletter will determine if there will be one or two issues per year. The Commission approved a 3% merit raise for the Port executive director. The port has hired a social media content creator to provide brand development and implement a strategy of consistent posting on different platforms to inform potential visitors.

The port staff is working to simplify the complicated tariff structure for the new 2026 tariffs. It will use the Consumer Price Index and maintain a lower rate for smaller slips.

County Council regular meeting of Oct. 6

The Council canceled a public hearing on the San Juan County Department Budgets for the 2026-2027 biennial budget scheduled for Oct. 7 and rescheduled it on Dec. 1 at 9:15 a.m., along with a public hearing on the 2026-2031 Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan.

At the continued public hearing on granting a franchise to the Hannah’s Heights Owner Association to allow use of public road rights-of-way, County staff clarified that the State Department of Health has oversight for the HHOA water system, and the State Department of Ecology has oversight of water rights. The HHOA president and a board member said they had a constructive meeting with neighbors of the Bailer Hill Road property and that the DOE would meet with neighbors on Oct. 20 on the water rights issues. The neighbors have senior water rights. The DOE process on the Hannah Heights project will include a 30-day public comment period. The Council approved the resolution granting the franchise.

The Council set a public hearing for Nov. 4 on a resolution updating dog licensing fees. Most of the fees go to the animal protection organizations on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez. About 1,200 dogs are licensed in the county. The update will include an option to renew licenses online and to do outreach to improve compliance.

The Visitors Bureau presented their work this year and data on the 2025 summer season. They asked that the County move the lodging tax process earlier in the year to provide a funding decision by October; to return to multiyear contracts and a set revenue formula to allow for the Bureau to do better planning.

Ryan Page, housing coordinator, presented the County’s draft Five-Year Homeless Plan for 2025-2030. The county homeless numbers are stable in the 120-150 range. The plan includes prevention, services and policy tweaks to support more housing. The Council set a public hearing for the final plan for Dec. 9.

The Environmental Stewardship Department asked the Council for directions in reviewing and possibly adjusting the Solid Waste Excise Tax for SJI. The Council asked for a report on how the excise tax is currently distributed and used. An issue on how revenue is shared needs clarification and consultation with the Lopez Solid Waste District managing board.

County Council regular meeting of Oct. 7

The Council approved a letter to federal representatives requesting a prohibition on masked law enforcement; a letter of thanks to Island County for a gift of a surplus trailer to the SJC Sheriff’s Office, which will be used as office space on Lopez; and a letter requesting a joint meeting with the Friday Harbor Town Council to discuss the development agreement for the Argyle Project. The chair declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

During public comment, a representative of Friends of the San Juans objected to the proposal to designate renewable energy and energy storage projects as Essential Public Facilities in the Utilities Element of the Comp Plan and proposed that the County use the docket request process to allow for greater transparency. An employee of the Friday Harbor Labs spoke in support of marine stewardship.

The Council held a public hearing on a proposal to amend language from “will” to “may” regarding an advisory committee for the Shaw Island subarea plan. Noting a need to have a citizens committee on Shaw to engage with the County on public services, the Council did not move the resolution, and it died. After a public hearing, the Council approved an ordinance amending language to simplify membership and pave the way to reactivate the Building Advisory Committee. The Council held a public hearing to review the revenue sources and projected flows for the 2026-2027 biennial budget. Property tax revenue growth is limited to 2%, which is below inflation. The Council wants a closer look at permit revenue.

The Council approved retaining the current level of clean water service and capital improvement rates. The Council adopted the Marine Stewardship Area Report, which will replace the 2007 Marine Stewardship Plan. It includes updated research, data and goals, goals that will be tracked and reviewed annually at the Marine Resources Committee retreat. The Council approved opening the process for Historical Preservation grants.

The Council discussed possible adjustments to the Council travel budget and plans to look at the overall budget for Council operations at the Oct. 20 meeting in line with a 9% reduction in department budget requests.