Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps, a nonpartisan organization that 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.

Board of Health regular meeting of Jan. 21

The Accountable Communities for Health began a second round for its CEO search and will hold a board retreat next week. It is seeking Medicaid data from the state. The Orcas Public Hospital District got an ACH grant to create a health partners network; the County plans to use the network in developing the Community Health Improvement Plan. The Board of Health will have future updates on the CHIP, behavioral health, legislative developments, and insurance access. The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization will issue an RFP for a pilot program in the county for mental health professionals to accompany the Sheriff’s Office staff on calls with mental health issues. The Northwest Regional Council is concerned about state funding for home health care and wants board members to advocate for funding.

The board elected Jane Fuller as the new chair and Kyle Davies as the vice chair. The board approved a letter of support to the West Coast Alliance of Western states, maintaining vaccine recommendations based on science, as the national CDC changed its recommendations to ones not supported by the AMA and AA of Pediatrics. The letter will be shared with other counties and noted in the press release about the regional and state vaccine recommendations.

The Community and Health Services director reviewed the core set of Foundational Public Health Services provided under state law, including, among others, communicable disease control, environmental health, emergency planning, chronic disease and injury prevention, and maternal, child and family health. State funding was cut modestly for 2025, but significantly larger possible cuts are slated for 2026-27, including a diversion of vaping tax revenue to other programs. The board approved a resolution asking the Legislature to reconfirm that FPHS are essential and to support a legislative fix for the vaping revenue.

Kristen Rezabek provided an update on the Lopez Food Center project, which obtained a $2 million block grant from the state and is now in the permitting process. She reviewed the oral health program, which held 112 clinics in 2025 serving 573 patients and providing $774K in services, as well as screening children and sealing teeth at schools. They have received grants for the project in 2026, including from Peace Health, with 118 clinics scheduled. The board approved a letter advocating for Medicaid coverage of oral health services. She reviewed the wide variety of food access and education programs for low-income residents, seniors, mothers and children that had been funded by a USDA program that is now ended. The County has secured $105K of local grant funding to support these programs in 2026.

SJI Fire District regular meeting of Jan. 20

Lieutenant Kati English gave the commission a report on Prevention Division activities in 2025. They brought firetrucks to schools and did outreach at the Farmers Market. She delivered a fire preparedness talk at the SJ Grange and she handed out carbon monoxide alarms and fire alarms to Family Resource Center clients who received firewood. The team did fire inspections of small businesses in conjunction with the Fire Marshall.

The Commissioners discussed the Accountability Audit by the Washington State Auditor’s Office covering the years 2022-2024. The results were positive. Some minor accounting issues are being addressed. Chief Monin reviewed the fire district’s goals and objectives for 2026. The new hires began work this week. The Training Academy has nine recruits, including four new support members. They will discuss Wellness, Family Support and Paid Leave policies at the next meeting.

Friday Harbor Port Commission, Jan. 23

A citizen’s comment raised the need for maintenance on Airport Center Road due to the increase in traffic from Amazon’s presence and use of the road and the lack of a water main for fire protection in that area. The Port will discuss the issues with the Town of Friday Harbor.

The commissioners approved updates to the Rules and Regulations. They approved the Sky Trails Condominium Association sublease to Grand Arrow LLC. They approved a contract with Precision Engineering for pavement overlay at Shipyard Cove’s barge landing, parking areas and entrance.

The commissioners discussed the Request for Proposals for artwork. Several places were photographed and presented as potential sites for decorative panels. They looked at structural integrity, weather exposure and ease of maintenance. The commissioners decided to issue the RFP for durable designs that would reflect the marine environment. The process will seek public input.

The Commission reviewed a proposal for a floating sauna and discussed the requirements for possible locations focused on insurance, safety and public accessibility. Adding cold plunges would make choosing a location more complex. An open question is whether the business would be classified as water-dependent or non-water dependent under DNR guidelines and state law. The Port will explore the idea with a single operator in one location in the commercial area of the marina.

The joint meeting with the Port and the Town of Friday Harbor has been set for May 21. There will be a special workshop meeting in the third week of February on ideas for the Comprehensive Plan for Harbor Improvements. Executive Director Todd Nicholson reported that the permit for the solar canopy and the launch of construction are expected in February.

Kyle Gropp, deputy director, will attend the Chamber of Commerce quarterly lunch at Brickworks on Jan. 28. Nicholson and Barbara Marrett attended an energy roundtable about the potential of solar energy to make the County energy independent during the summer months. The OPALCO board chair said there was a lack of funding to meet state carbon reduction targets.

The Annual Newsletter will cover ideas for the recent Cannery acquisition, budget overview, boat night statistics and announce upcoming workshops. It will include a special supplement on the Port’s 75th anniversary.