ISLAND COUNTY: A Message from Commissioner Bacon [Aug. 8, 2025]

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., Aug. 8, 2025.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 32^nd week of 2025.

We’ve had some unfortunate situations recently with citizens harassing our front counter employees. Those citizens may have been unaware that it is a crime to intimidate or harass public employees, RCW 9A.76.180.

We are in a Type II Burn Ban, which includes a ban on all outdoor burning in unincorporated Island County, including a ban on recreational fires that were otherwise exempt from a Type I burn ban, and including a ban on the use and discharge of consumer fireworks unless the use and discharge of such fireworks is authorized by a permit issued by the Fire Marshal. The use of barbecue grills using propane or briquettes, or self-contained camp stoves, is exempt from Type II burn bans, and these items may still be used. The danger of outdoor fires is extreme right now. Please use extreme caution with any ignition source.

• Regular Session.  The agenda and recording for the Tuesday, August 5^th Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
  • There was no public comment this week.
  • Because of the federal and state program cuts we’re now experiencing, I thought it was important this week to talk through some of the grants we are providing locally through Human Services through next June, rather than simply approve them on the Consent Agenda. We discussed and approved $15,000 for the Community Resource Center of Stanwood Camano working on rental assistance for homeless households; $42,000 to Misión Emanuel Whidbey Island for outreach services; $75,000 to Ryan’s House; $103,097 to SPiN Café; and $232,573 to Whidbey Homeless Coalition. Next week’s Consent Agenda will include grants to other local essential organizations. The reason the funding for these grants is through June 2026 instead of the end of the year is that we rely on State dollars to fund them, and the State’s budget year begins in July.
  • We also approved a contract with the State of Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to receive funding to keep our Veterans services program going for another two years and for an additional Veterans Services Officer.
  • The next regular session will occur at 10 am on Tuesday, August 12^th. The agenda for that meeting is here. There are no public hearings or regular agenda items scheduled for that meeting.
• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
  • September 9:       Transportation Improvement Plan
  • October 6:            2026 Budget 
• Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, August 6^th work session is here; the recording is here.
  • We started with a short but extremely important conversation about the now-completed Jail Feasibility Study. The study shows that our current jail is inadequate for our current jail population and utterly unsuitable for our future population, both in terms of the number of beds and the availability of services. All of the documents from the discussion are available in the agenda document linked above: the Final Report, pp 3 – 105; the Population Analysis, pp 106 – 145; and the presentation used in the discussion, pp 146 – 173. The recommendations include three potential sites, and that discussion begins at mark 0:44:16 in the recording. Over the coming months, the Board will hold multiple meetings with the public to learn from you what service standards you want in a new jail.
  • One of the topics in the jail conversation was the recommendation that we plan for a sharp increase in juvenile detention services over the coming decades. Immediately after the jail discussion, we met with the Superior Court and talked about the State’s decision to cut the funding for truancy programs and whether or not it’s possible for local jurisdictions to make up the slack. At the end of that discussion, the Court Administrator talked about the close tie-in between truancy, juvenile crime, and incarceration. My view: if the citizens, the families, the schools, and the State don’t make resolving truancy a priority, we will just create more young criminals, costing us all a lot more money than we would spend if we’d just work on making them go to school now. Mark 1:17:42 in the recording.
  • The Commissioners held a discussion on our travel budget and allowance, mark 1:24:59 in the recording.
  • Public Works brought the latest drafts of the 2026 – 2031 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), the Clean Water Utility (CWU), and the 2026-2031 Proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). We are ready to take the TIP to public hearing on September 9, but there remain a number of items on the CIP that need to be resolved before it can go to public hearing as well. Mark 1:59:21 in the recording.
  • The next work session will be held next Wednesday, August 13^th. Here is the agenda; contact my office if you’d like an invitation to the Zoom meeting. On that agenda: cancelling checks written by the County and never cashed, see p. 4 of the agenda (btw: if anyone reading this belongs to the Whispering Pines Homeowner’s Cooperative, you should contact the Treasurer); revising the Assessor’s fee schedule; a couple of contracts associated with Court services to children; an ordinance to include banning the sale of mortar-style fireworks and banning fireworks during a Type 1 burn ban; Road Closure for Utsalady at Olsen Road Culvert Replacement Project, Camano Island; and changes to the zoning regulations for the Freeland Non-Municipal Urban Growth Area to support development of workforce housing in Freeland.
• We held one 2026 Budget meeting this week, with Sheriff Felici, mark 2:50:28 in Wednesday’s work session recording. We will hold two budget meetings next week, on Wednesday afternoon (Human Services and Planning) and Thursday afternoon (Public Health, Superior Court, Prosecuting Attorney). Contact my office if you’d like an invitation to attend by Zoom.
• The Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) will hold a special session next Thursday, August 14, at 11 am to continue our discussion on the criteria for the next call for projects. Contact Malcolm Roberts, Malcolm.Roberts@islandcountywa.gov, if you would like an invitation to attend by Zoom.
• Island Transit held its regular monthly Executive Board meeting this morning.
  • We held a public hearing on our Six-Year Transportation Development Plan.
  • The Board approved the 2025-2030 Transit Development Plan (TDP) & 2024 Annual Report
  • We heard an update on establishing a new Island Transit Advisory group made up of riders and other interested community members.
  • The Island Transit Board was introduced to the new Operations Manager and the new Procurement & Risk Manager. Both individuals are important additions to our organization, and I enthusiastically welcome them both to the team.
• 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 Wednesdays of each month in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room in Coupeville.
• Public Health updates:
  • Sinking Tugboat – Holmes Harbor. This boat has been a known but elusive issue for a few years, as it has been leaking, derelict, and improperly moored throughout the County, as it was lived aboard and moved around. There is quite a bit of misinformation swirling in the community about this boat, but local and state agencies are now working on proper acquisition and disposal. Island County MRC/DNR has worked with State DNR to go through necessary reporting channels, and currently, WADNR has posted it for custody and will be processing it for disposal over the coming days.
  • Many people in the community are interested in the findings from the wastewater study funded by the State, primarily because it will inform how we can increase density in our Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRDS, aka RAIDS) and in Freeland. During our Wednesday, August 20^th work session, Public Health will discuss the report and an implementation plan with the Board. I anticipate that this plan will include necessary changes in State law and process.
  • During times of poor air quality, simple precautions like staying indoors, avoiding strenuous outdoor exercise, using HEPA filters, and wearing a KN95 mask when outside are effective ways to limit exposure. Use these resources to track air quality and learn how to stay healthy during smoke events: • WA Dept of Health infographic on staying safe during poor air quality events ; •DIY box fan air filter guide from UW; • WA Smoke Blog for forecasts ; • Sign up for local alerts
  • Summer Issue of Health Matters. The latest issue of our newsletter is now available, covering topics like extreme heat and wildfire smoke safety, summer food safety, swimming safety, septic system maintenance, and back-to-school immunization guidance. Find it here.
• Island Senior Resources Update: Island Senior Resources will be holding two Aging in Place presentations in August. Topics include: Housing suitability, transportation, social connection, financial resources, health & wellness, access to healthcare, and a review of long-term care options. Presentations will be about an hour long with a Q&A to follow.
  • Wednesday, August 20^th  1:30 – 3:00, Langley Library, 104 2^nd St, Langley 98260
  • Friday, August 22^nd  1:30 – 3:00, Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regatta Dr, Oak Harbor 98277
• On Monday, August 11, at 3 pm, I will meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland.

Melanie 

My grandchildren in New Mexico started school already this week!

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

~B.B. King