Submitted by San Juan County.

San Juan County is proud to present the 2025 Year-In-Review, highlighting key accomplishments, notable projects and the breadth of programs and services provided to island communities. The public is encouraged to access the document on the County website by scrolling the PDF here, visiting https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34137/San-Juan-County-WA-2025-Year-In-Review or visiting the San Juan County Newsroom at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-Juan-County-Newsroom.

By the Numbers highlights

The review includes ‘By the Numbers’ highlights that span environmental stewardship programs to affordable housing news, building permits and volunteer events, and more, including:

• The County’s Home Fund provided $6 million in funding to support affordable housing projects on Lopez and Orcas islands.

• The County’s Senior Nutrition Program produced 37,000-plus meals for almost 750 local seniors.

• 8,012 people attended the County Fair over four days for a total of 16,468 visits.

• The County’s Department of Health & Community Services administered 930 vaccines, including COVID and flu. The department also supported 112 dental clinics that treated 577 patients and provided about $445K worth of dental care.

• The County wrote and sent 233 press releases to approximately 690 subscribers — that’s one every day and a half! These news flashes were also published regularly in local media outlets, on social media and in newsletters.

• The Department of Community Development issued 232 building permits, 231 land use permits and 337 mechanical permits.

• The Conservation Land Bank hosted 84 outreach events that resulted in 20,500 trees, shrubs and plugs being planted in preserves.

• The Environmental Stewardship Department removed 16 derelict vessels from the Salish Sea.

Find more ‘By the Numbers’ highlights in the full Year-in-Review.

2025’s notable projects and programs

The 2025 Year-In-Review celebrates successes across County departments, including the adoption of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, the adoption of a balanced budget for 2026, numerous health clinics and upgrades to County roads and facilities, the approval of the Argyle Development Agreement to support affordable housing on San Juan Island, and the creation of a Marine Transportation Pilot Project which served over 2,500 passengers, to name a few.

This year, four new affordable housing projects completed construction, thanks in part to $6 million in funding from the County’s Home Fund. These projects helped 32 households secure affordable homes in the islands.

The Department of Community Development led the County through the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, which, for the first time, included a Climate Element to address climate change. The document provides a long-term vision and strategies for preparing our community for current and future climate impacts.

In the financial services wing, new technology helped improve efficiency. The Assessor’s Office updated its GIS mapping system for managing property lines and unveiled a new interactive sales information link to help taxpayers find market sales for value appeals. The Auditor’s Office is working to implement a new financial management system, and the Treasurer’s Office benefited from a new postage meter, which helped smooth operations.

This year, the Department of Health & Community Services published its first Youth Community Health Assessment Report. The report examines the ways various organizations, schools, health care providers, health systems and policies contribute to the health of our youth. The top needs identified were mental health education and support, reproductive health education and better technology/ social media management.

The Environmental Stewardship Department led the successful replacement of the Bayhead Creek culvert under Killebrew Lake Road. In response to community feedback, the construction window was shortened and the full road closure only lasted seven days. Now, a 12-foot-wide box culvert specially designed to handle storm water surges and improve fish passage will serve the area for years to come.

In the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Fair, four buildings were painted, three building roofs were replaced and two new vault toilets were installed. Additionally, beach access stairs were repaired at Blackie Brady and San Juan County Park, and the Eastsound Village Green restrooms saw new renovations.

In addition to completing annual chip seal and roadway striping, the Public Works Department undertook the Bailer Hill Improvement Project in an effort to address flooding across the road, sightlines and congestion along the corridor.

The Noxious Weed Program hosted several volunteer events throughout the year, worked with over 1,500 locals on noxious weed removal strategies and earned $72,000 in Washington State Department of Ecology grants for waterfoil control.

The Conservation Land Bank opened a new trail to Watmough Head on Lopez Island and acquired two new shoreline properties — one on Orcas and another on Blakely Island. The program also celebrated a first on Turtleback Mountain Preserve: a successful Golden eagle nest!

The courts hosted the second annual “Law Day” celebration in May, welcoming approximately 65 seventh-grade students to the courthouse for a mock trial, career panel, civics lessons, games and a tour. District Court concluded the Sequential Intercept Mapping Pilot program, which connected criminal court defendants with a care network, and Superior Court Services successfully implemented targeted case management within the newly launched Family Treatment Court. Superior Court helped support access to justice via a new attorney list, and the Clerk’s Office staff became authorized US Passport agents and hosted a passport fair on Orcas.

The Sheriff’s Office hired new staff members, provided crime prevention training to senior citizens on Shaw Island and continued to support new training in hostage negotiations and internet crimes.

The Department of Emergency Management participated in multiple oil spill response drills and coordinated with other responders across the region to brush up on response strategies and protocols.