Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., July 11, 2025.
Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 28th week of 2025.
- Regular Session. The agenda and recording for the Tuesday July 8th Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
- We recognized two long-term Public Works employees this week: Lisa McDavid who celebrates 20 years with the County, and Jan Van Muyden who has been with our Parks Department for 30 years. The County is very grateful to both of these dedicated individuals who have given so many years to serving the public with expertise and kindness—and we are happy that they will both continue in their great service, hopefully for many more years to come.
- There was no public comment this week, other than the comments received during the public hearing.
- We held a public hearing to Adopt an Emergency Moratorium on the Processing of Applications for and Construction in Mixed-Use RAID Zones of Rural Center, Rural Village, and Camano Gateway Village. This moratorium replaces the earlier one and includes additional exceptions that will allow repairs and improvements that do not impair opportunities for achieving the new densities we are addressing in the Comp Plan. Five people provided public comment. The moratorium was approved; it will end on April 15, 2026 unless repealed earlier by the Board. Mark 00:14:13 in the video.
- The next regular session will occur at 10 am on Tuesday, July 15, The agenda for that meeting is here. On that agenda: the franchise public hearings shown below.
- Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
- July 15 Pleasant View franchise
- July 15 Camano Colony franchise
- July 15 Saekow & Wood franchise
- July 22 Vafeezdah franchise
- Aug 5 Delcoure franchise
- Aug 5 Allen franchise
- Aug 19 Witham franchise
- Aug 19 Solvang franchise
- Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, July 9 work session is here; the recording is here; the revised WSU presentation and the Island County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation are here.
- First we heard from Sarah Berquist, Interim Director of WSU Extension, on the proposed regionalization of extension services (in 2027) and the new Climate Steward Program that WSU is starting. I’m pretty excited about the Climate Steward Program, which WSU is willing to present several times each year if the interest is there (and I know it will be). But only 20 people can be in each class, and so for this first class I encourage people who don’t currently have strong climate literacy backgrounds but who are interested in this topic to sign up—especially future leaders who will work on future policies (looking to you, Leadership Whidbey participants and United Student Leaders). The six-session course will start September 16, and applications will be accepted online at the WSU website beginning August 1. Information on this course begins on page 3 of the agenda; the revised presentation that Sarah spoke to is linked above.
- Human Services brought a contract associated with our second Veterans Services Officer (VSO) position, mark 1:05:08 in the recording. Since 2022, when we got our first VSO, that office has assisted veterans in receiving over $7 Million in claims. We’re going to advertise in August for a second VSO, the only county with two of these positions (received because we have more veterans per capita than any other county in Washington). Huge thanks to Rep. Clyde Shavers, who got this appropriation for us.
- We discussed the Parks element for the Comprehensive Plan with Public Works, and had numerous suggestions. This discussion begins at mark 1:12:10; the goals and policies can be found beginning on page 101 of the agenda.
- We continued the discussion on the Natural Resources element, beginning at mark 2:10:25, page 118 in the agenda.
- Eric Brooks of the Department of Emergency Management brought us the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan. The link to the presentation is above; the discussion begins at mark 2:50:07 in the recording, agenda documents begin on page 126.
- We began a discussion on the difficulty of disposing of broken-down vehicles in Island County, mark 3:14:09 in the recording. Public Works had been unsure about what the Commissioners’ issue was, but we made our focus clear during the meeting and they will do research. The discussion will come back.
- Agenda for the work session on July 16. Due to the number of zoom bombs we’ve experienced lately, we are not providing a zoom link to the public. If you want to listen in via zoom, please contact our office to receive an invitation. On the agenda: the 2026 – 2031 IT Capital Improvement Plan; the 2026-2031 Facilities Capital Improvement Plan; Testing Protocol Requirements for Water & Sewer Franchises; the 2025 Comprehensive Plan – Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area.
- We will begin our 2026 Budget meetings next week. If you would like to listen in via zoom, contact our office for an invitation.
- The first Budget Meeting will be at 1 pm on Wednesday July 16.
- The second Budget Meeting next week will occur at 9 am on Thursday July 17.
- The Board of Health will meet next Tuesday afternoon, July 15 at 1 pm. Agenda with zoom link here. On that agenda: Island Senior Resources Presentation, Emergency Preparedness Update, and Food Program Fee Schedule.
- Island Transit held its monthly Board meeting this morning. Agenda.
- Ryan Elting of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust informed the Board about the conservation easement proposals regarding the Tree Farm properties adjacent to the existing Island Transit facility.
- We discussed the draft 2025-2030 Transit Development Plan (TDP). Island Transit will hold a public hearing on this plan on August 8, and is accepting Public Comment now. The TDP must be adopted by September. Submit comments to: Island Transit Planning & Outreach Manager, 19758 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239
- The Board authorized the purchase of six 35’ hybrid electric replacement buses awarded through the FY25-27 Consolidated Grant Program, using a grant that will provide 80% of the cost.
- Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update: This is a link to the Planning Commission page. You can find details on their meetings and minutes, including Zoom info, here. The agendas are published at least a week in advance. The Planning Commission usually meets at 6 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville.
- The official public comment period on the 8 elements released in June will end on Monday, July 14, but the Board of County Commissioners will of course continue to accept public comment until the Comp Plan is adopted.
- Island County Public Health update:
- Lone Lake Safety Advisory: A Lone Lake sample recently returned high for Anatoxin-a at 242 µg/L, a neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria. A warning sign has been installed, and County Public Health is sharing information via social media to protect the public. Anatoxin-a is a potent nerve toxin. Contact with water containing toxins can be enough to cause illness in humans, pets, and livestock. Ingestion can cause severe illness or death. We are looking into potential funding from WA-DOE that can support lake monitoring for harmful algal blooms (HABs).
- Local ramifications of the recently passed budget bill in Congress–estimated disenrollment in Medicaid: An estimated 1,700–3,400 individuals (or 10–20% of local Medicaid enrollees) in Island County could lose coverage due to new administrative and work-related requirements. New Medicaid work requirements and eligibility checks are expected to begin in 2027. Also: Washington raises about $2.4 billion/year in provider taxes to support Medicaid, and new federal limits could reduce or cap matching funds, impacting hospitals like WhidbeyHealth. The County Commissioners, Board of Health, Human Services and Public Health will discuss mitigation options to help ease some of the impacts on our citizens and the hospital.
- Rabies: Every summer, we have an increase in calls related to bat exposures. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal or contacts a bat, seek immediate veterinary care—even if they’re vaccinated. Keep pets’ rabies shots up to date, avoid contact with wild animals (especially bats), and teach children to do the same. For any potential exposure, wash wounds, contact your healthcare provider and local health department at (360) 678-2301. – Learn more here
- August is National Water Quality Month As many of us drink more water in the summer, now is a great time to think about the quality of our drinking water. As water quality can change, it should be regularly tested. Contact your water provider or search Sentry for your water quality results. Although regular water quality testing is not required for Individual Water Systems and Two-Party Public Water Systems, it is strongly recommended.
- As of July 1st, CDC reported 1,267 confirmed measles cases in 2025 in 38 states. Washington State has seen 10 cases. None so far in Island County. As a measles survivor with terrible memories of a truly miserable experience, I strongly encourage parents to provide their kids with MMR vaccination. An early dose for infants 6-11 months can be given before international travel (they will still need 2 additional doses for full coverage).
- Ferries.
- At the beginning of last week’s work session (audio link) I spoke strongly against Governor Ferguson’s decision last week to grant the ferry contract to a Florida company instead of spending Washington taxpayer dollars in the State of Washington.
- This week the House Transportation Committee held a work session focused on ferry procurement and workforce issues. The video can be viewed here. The staffing issue has gotten much better, and turnover has decreased markedly from 16% in 2022 to 5% in 2024.
- The Washington State Transportation Commission is looking for public input on its proposed ferry fare changes. You can share your comments via email, phone 360-705-7070 or mail at P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308. The commission plans to make a decision on its fare proposal at its virtual public hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6.
- I will be in Freeland to meet with citizens Monday, July 14th at 3 pm at the WiFire Community Space. I will NOT be meeting with citizens on Monday, July 21 or on Monday, August 4 because I will be undergoing medical procedures.
Melanie
“If summer had one defining scent, it’d definitely be the smell of barbecue.” ~ Katie Lee
