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.

SJI Fire District regular meeting of July 8

The Stuart Island School District lease agreement is being revised to add contingency clauses required by the School District. The lease should be signed soon.

Chief Noel Monin and members of the Apparatus Committee described the requirements and criteria for choosing a new ladder truck for the district. The current truck is near the end of its useful life. It can take up to 42 months to get a new one delivered. The Committee recommended a no-pump, no-tank mid-mount platform. These vehicles now cost about $2 million. The Board approved taking the next steps toward procurement.

Chief Monin and Commissioner Warren Appleton are preparing a press release of an annual report to the community.

County Council’s regular meeting of July 15

During public comment, Friends of the San Juans and one Decatur resident raised concerns about the proposed property acquisition at the Decatur Marine Facility. The Roche Harbor general manager spoke in favor of their master plan amendment. After a public hearing in which a Lopez resident representing the school and a local committee expressed support, the council approved a measure to form a Lopez Parks and Rec District for the November ballot.

Cultural access funds began to accumulate on July 1. Twenty percent of funds will go to public schools for programming and eight percent for transportation, while the remainder goes to non-profits. The Parks and Fair Director Brandon Andrews recommended a 2026 launch with a request for proposals for impact grants, followed later by one for comprehensive grants. The council referred questions to the Procecuting Attorney’s office, including whether private pre-K programs were eligible and if resource centers could act as fiscal sponsors. The council discussed names and criteria for an advisory board.

Council members were briefed on an amendment to the Roche Harbor Master Plan to allow the resort to build workforce housing in a different area than proposed, as the original area has wetland issues. They were briefed on a supplemental funding request for the Pea Patch project on Orcas. They were briefed on boundary modification for a narrow strip of property encompassing a road and right of way on Decatur Island. They were briefed about a proposed property acquisition next to the Decatur Marine facility. There will be a public hearing on Aug. 12 at the site, and a decision must be made by Aug. 19. They are getting an independent appraisal.

The budget analyst laid out issues the council will face in developing the biennial budget and asked the council to provide guidance on their priorities to help departments shape their budget proposals. She also reviewed the preliminary proposals for the next set of budget amendments, which increase the total budget by about $2 million and reduce ending cash by about $200 thousand.

Council heard updates on the language access plan, the WSU forestry extension program; the Blakley School land trust deed and a review of the completed pilot passenger ferry program. They heard the details of the new state public safety grant program and sales tax options, and will work with the Sheriff’s Office to decide whether to seek a grant.

Board of Health July 16, 2025

The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization has paused its CEO search. The organization got an access-to-care grant in the latest public health funding round. They are exploring creating a Medicaid billing function to help improve access for providers in areas that bill for services. The University of Washington will not renew its contract with the Lopez PHD when it expires in July 2026. The Orcas PHD is looking at ways to bill the county for dental services. There is a new director of the Washington Health Authority and a new secretary of health for the state.

San Juan County Health and Community Services Director Mark Thompkins briefed the board on the process to reimagine the Health and Community Services Department to meet the challenges of providing services from six locations across three islands, in a post-COVID world, with a 32-hour workweek and federal challenges for public health and immunization. The process has strengthened teamwork and communication, and generated plans to house services for children 0-8 years in one department. Elements of the department’s plan will feed into the new comprehensive plan.

Kyle Dodd reported on the work of the Environmental Health Department in 2024. The department oversees sewage inspections, solid waste permits, food service permits, tests area waters for shellfish safety, and reviews land use permits. In 2024, they issued 211 food service permits and conducted 217 food safety inspections. They oversaw 2227 sewer inspections and ran trainings for homeowners who want to do their own inspections. They are helping the Northwest Clean Air agency install an air quality monitor in the county. Board members thanked Dodd for his service as he prepares to take a job with the fire district. A farewell event will be held on July 31 at 2 p.m.

Health Officer Dr. Amy Varley updated the board on recent changes to Medicaid in the recently passed budget law. Newly imposed and burdensome paperwork requirements, along with changes in coverage, are expected. In Washington state 2 million people get their health insurance through Medicaid, including 47% of children, 53% of people in nursing homes, and 40% of the disabled. Medicaid also covers 40% of births in the state. In San Juan County, 3525 people are insured by Medicaid, including 1301 children, and Medicaid accounts for 12% of hospital payments. The new rules are expected to reduce the number of people covered by 20%. The bill also reduces subsidies to those getting private insurance on ACA exchanges, which could cause an additional 5 million people nationwide to lose their insurance. The implementation of many cuts is delayed until the end of 2026 after the mid-term elections take place. Helping people navigate the new enrollment rules and tracking the impact will be key.

Friday Harbor Town Council regular meeting of July 17

After a public hearing, the Council approved the Six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2026-2031. The council reviews and approves the plan every year.

Council Member Steve Hushebeck is rotating off the San Juan County Solid Waste Advisory Committee after serving 13 years. Council Member Barbara Starr was appointed to the committee.

Denise Kulseth, Town Administrator, briefed the Council on the Small City’ Advisory Committee’s request for 2026 legislative priorities and invited council members to share their priorities. Small cities are challenged by the volume of public record requests for commercial purposes.

Town staff are interviewing for two street positions and a Public Works Director. At the invitation of San Juan County, seven members of town staff attended a state auditors training on fraud.

A new estimate for the Water Treatment Plant project is nearly $5.5 million. Federal funds of $4.5 million have been secured through the State Department of Health. Kulseth and Finance Director Bethany Berry are looking at possible loans or cutting back part of the project. On July 8, they held a pre-construction meeting on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

Kari McVeigh, San Juan County Council Chair, briefed the Council on Gov. Bob Ferguson’s visit to Orcas Island, where Town Council Member Richard Geffen and about 100 others attended a ferry-focused meeting. Several key state transportation personnel accompanied the governor.