Submitted by the League of Women Voters.

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.

SJI School Board regular meeting of Oct. 28

Superintendent Fred Woods reported the district received a grant from the Office of Superintendent Public Instruction to cover the cost of emergency replacement of two 38-year-old heat pumps for the elementary school, which were failing.

Vera Schoultz reported for the Student Body that more than 20 new students attended orientation at the beginning of school. She reviewed Spirit Week activities and the homecoming parade. Colleges from around the United States and military recruiters will visit the high school to talk to students. Club week will focus on the different groups students can join. Fall sports are wrapping up with several teams moving on to state tournaments.

The board reviewed and approved School Improvement Plans. They discussed how English learning was progressing across all grades.

The Board thanked the following organizations for gifts and donations: The Public Schools Foundation gave $7,358 for materials and supplies, and Harbor Freight “Tools for Schools” gave $35,000 to the Trades and Career and Technical Education Program at the high school.

Total K-12 enrollment increased slightly in October to 801 students. Expenditures for the month were on budget.

Director Brian Moore said the cross-country team held a race at the San Juan Golf & Tennis Club for multiple schools. The tournament went very well. Director Barbara Bevins discussed a possible housing site directly across from the elementary school. Some board members might attend the Friday Harbor Town Council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6.

County Council regular meeting of Nov. 3

The Council proclaimed November Veteran and Military Families Month and approved the 2026 Council calendar. During public access time, the Friday Harbor Port director, Todd Nicholson, and a commissioner requested to redesignate Shipyard Cove from rural residential to rural industrial as part of the Comp Plan Update to allow the Port to rebuild the facility. A citizen spoke in support of the Environmental Stewardship budget and the Climate Change element of the Comp Plan. Two citizens from Lopez spoke about a picnic table removed from an island park.

The Council heard the budget drafts for three justice system departments. The District Court covered the uncertain budget impact of dropping pre-trial monitoring. Sheriff Eric Peter said incarceration and detainee medical costs are driving higher expenses. Staffing issues continue, and compensation is below other locales; to save money, they planned to hold off on hiring a corrections officer and the deputy chief position. The Prosecutor’s Office cut discretionary spending by a third, eliminating travel and training.

The Council continued to review proposed recommendations on the Comp Plan update and response to their request for information and their own suggested changes. The Council approved moving forward to change the code for the Eastsound subarea to match the new maps. Changes will conform to definitions, reduce repetition and update data. Questions about setbacks for the proposed Roche Harbor subarea amendment need more clarification. County Manager Jessica Hudson will work with the Department of Community Development to make a recommendation and bring the port request back to Council.

Code Enforcement Officer Rebecca Villaluz reported on her progress after eight months in the job, in which she created five priority categories with life safety at the top. Code enforcement is driven by complaints filed, and most issues boil down to people living in unsafe shelter or junk accumulating in and on a property, with problems driven by housing shortages and unaffordability, high disposal costs and mental health issues, plus a handful of deliberate scofflaws. She has handled over 100 cases so far.

In three further budget presentations, the treasurer cut 5.6 %; further cuts will require staff reductions. The Parks and Fair budget is covered mostly by revenue generated by service fees, parks levy and lodging tax. The department will reduce staff to cut its general expense fund budget. The Information Technology Department will cut its budget by cutting consulting services and software licenses.