Jessie Stensland reports from Island County for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity.ai
Island County commissioners will hold major public hearings after Thanksgiving to discuss the 2026 budget, real estate excise taxes, a new law-and-justice sales tax, and a proposed ban on selling mortar-style fireworks. The draft $36 million current expense budget depends on passing a new one-tenth of 1% sales tax, which would fill a $1.3 million deficit by generating about $1.9 million annually. Commissioners are divided on some issues, with disputes over funding and fireworks restrictions. The new tax is enabled by a law signed this year, and residents are invited to comment. Fireworks restrictions continue to be contentious, with commissioners split on the ban.
Ed. Note: The Whidbey News-Times story reports, “On Monday, Dec. 1, the board will hold public hearings on the 2026 budget, real estate excise taxes and a proposed law-and-justice sales tax…. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposal to ban the sale of mortar-style fireworks within unincorporated areas of the county.”
