ISLAND COUNTY: A Message from Commissioner Bacon [May 23, 2025]

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon (D-Langley) sent the following newsletter on Fri., May 23, 2025.

 On Monday we will commemorate Memorial Day, a day of remembrance to honor and mourn the service members who have died while serving in the U.S. military during peace and war. Island County offices will be closed on Memorial Day.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 21^st week of 2025.

• Regular Session.  The agenda and recording for the Tuesday May 20^th Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here.
  • We took public comment from four individuals. One spoke about the Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN)’s public comment meeting held in Oak Harbor; one spoke about her desire that the County limit expansion of the Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area (UGA) in favor of denser infill in the existing UGA; one spoke of the importance for the County to allow zoning to collect and sequester rainwater; and one Mutiny Bay resident spoke of his concern about protecting shoreline homes from storms, requesting County response to public comment on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
  • There were no regular items or public hearings on the agenda.
  • The next regular session will occur at 10 am on Tuesday, May 27, The agenda for that meeting is here. On that agenda: the Board will consider two Maintenance and Operations (M&O) applications for Conservation Futures Funding (CFF): $100,000 to Island County Parks for M&O on twelve (12) properties owned by Island County Parks that were CFF acquisitions; and $127,000 to Whidbey Camano Land Trust to construct two separate ADA-compliant trails at the Keystone Preserve.
• Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
  • June 3           Emergency Moratorium
  • June 3           C-28-25, amendment to the Sales & Usage Tax related to Affordable Housing
  • June 10         Franchise renewal, Race Lagoon Water Association
  • June 10         New franchise, Sandberg Water Association   
  • June 24 or July 8          Replacement Moratorium
  • June 24         Rowe Road—continued discussion from Public Hearing held last year
  • July 15          Pleasant View franchise
  • July 15          Camano Colony franchise
  • July 15          Saekow & Wood franchise
  • July 22          Vafeezdah franchise
• Work Session.  Agenda. Recording.
  • Camano Administration—We discussed the proposed update to the current facility use protocols to be better aligned with the cost to maintain the multipurpose room as a rentable space. The Board had several concerns about the proposal, from the method of collecting funds to the proposed increase in rental cost, and told Facilities to do further work on this. We agree with the concept, but not the proposed roll-out. Mark 0:12:02 in the recording.
  • Long Range Planning gave an update on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update schedule. The proposed goals and policies for the following elements will be released to the public for comment: Land Use, Housing, Natural Resources, Economic Development, Utilities/Capital Facilities, Climate, Transportation, and Parks. Only the goals and policies will be released—not any maps or introductory language yet. They recommended a 30-day public comment period; the Board extended that to 45 days due to the heavy lift of considering changes in goals and policies for 8 elements (this year the Utilities and Capital Facilities elements, formerly separate, are combined). The formal Public Comment period therefore will be from May 30 through mid-July (in addition, the public will have other opportunities to provide comment before adoption—such as during every Board meeting). This discussion begins at mark 00:25:00 in the recording.
  • During that update discussion, the Board discussed the next steps we’re taking with regard to the differences in opinion we have with Oak Harbor about their Urban Growth Area. That discussion occurs beginning at mark 0:53:00 in the recording. The Board is hiring a neutral 3^rd party consultant to review the County’s and Oak Harbor’s land capacity analyses and conduct their own analysis, and give recommendations on how to move forward.
  • Long Range Planning discussed the proposed new Emergency Moratorium language with the Board which includes an exemption to allow commercial properties to make minor improvements, mark 1:01:14 in the recording. On June 3, the Board will hold a public hearing on the Emergency Moratorium enacted in April. We will also discuss the proposed revised moratorium. If the public comment supports the revised moratorium as discussed on Wednesday, the Board will then set a June 24 public hearing on that moratorium which will replace the emergency moratorium. If public comment steers us to making changes to the proposed resolution, we will set a July 8 public hearing on the new moratorium in order to further discuss those potential changes at work session. You can find the new proposed resolution beginning on page 35 of the work session agenda linked above.
  • We began our discussion with Long Range Planning on proposed updates to the Capital Facilities & Utilities Element at mark 1:23:17; we came back to continue that discussion in the afternoon after finishing the rest of the agenda items, at mark 5:35:04 in the recording. We were unenthusiastic about adopting new impact fees. The documents and presentation can be found beginning on page 42 of the agenda.
  • Whidbey Camano Land Trust gave presentations on two exciting acquisition applications for the 2025 Conservation Futures Program: Double Bluff Preserve and East Harbor/Holmes Harbor Community Forest. The presentation and documents begin on page 61 of the agenda; the discussion starts at mark 2:18:20.
  • We heard an update on the Noxious Weeds 2025 Program. Presentation begins on page 99 in the agenda; the discussion starts at mark 2:47:11 in the recording.
  • We discussed the funding budget for the 2% Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax Revenue grants (LTAC) for 2026 and are moving forward with a $725,000 grant budget. Documents begin on page 118; the discussion starts at mark 3:04:58 in the recording.
  • Public Works brought forward the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Goals & Policies for an initial review. We expressed numerous concerns, and they will work with their consultant to bring back a revised plan. Documents begin on page 129; the discussion starts at mark 3:51:45. We also discussed the paucity of information on aviation in the Transportation element of the Comp Plan, a discussion which begins at mark 4:06:02.
• The Board of Health met on Tuesday, May 20^th. Agenda. Recording.
  • First on the agenda: a draft letter to congressional leadership elevating the importance of Medicaid Financing; we decided to also send the letter to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • We heard an update on actions Island County has taken in response to the Board of Health’s Health in All Policies resolution, presentation begins on page 35 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 0:19:14 in the recording.
  • The County’s Hydrogeologist Dr. Chris Kelley gave an update on the Coordinated Water Systems Plan. The summary can be found on page 25 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 0:42:38 in the recording.
• Next Wednesday May 28 the Council of Governments (COG) and then the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) will meet, beginning at 9 am in the Commissioners’ Board Room. Zoom info for both meetings.
  • COG agenda: Update from Island Transit; discussion on partner responsibilities with the Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
  • IRTPO: at this meeting the Executive Board is expecting to review public comments on and hopefully adopt the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP). 
• From May 19 – June 20, the Department of Ecology is seeking comment on documents related to the Whidbey Marine & Auto Supply cleanup site in Freeland. The hazard involved fuel contamination. To date, groundwater monitoring has not detected any contamination at several monitoring wells located downgradient of the site. This indicates there is no immediate threat to the drinking water supply, but ongoing monitoring and cleanup is essential. See this link. On Tuesday, June 3, the Department of Ecology will sponsor a 2-hour in-person and online open house on this.
• 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.
  • June will be a big month for the Comp Plan. The County is releasing draft goals and policies for the elements on Land Use, Housing, Natural Resources, Economic Development, Utilities/Capital Facilities, Climate, Transportation, and Parks for public comment at the end of May, and both the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners will hold at least three meetings in June to discuss these elements (on Wednesday the Commissioners committed to holding up to six meetings in June, if necessary).
• The Economic Development Council (EDC) is sponsoring bi-weekly chats on Zoom, every other Thursday at 9:00 am, for a fresh, engaging conversation about local economic vitality. Hosted by Kristina Hines, EDC Executive Director, these sessions are your opportunity to stay updated on current trends and challenges in our local economy; explore resources and tools to help your business thrive; and connect with like-minded community members and business leaders. Next chat: Thursday May 29. Click here to reserve your spot. EDC Coffee Chat is free to attend and open to anyone invested in Island County’s economic vitality.
• The South Whidbey Historical Society (SWHS) and Island County Historical Society (ICHS) will merge under a single governance and operational model effective June 1, 2025. Over five months, a team of seven representatives from both organizations developed a collaborative, consensus-based transition plan. Their work was driven by reductions in funding, changes in local demographics, new technologies, and opportunities to share new and unfolding historical developments in Island County. The merger will create program efficiencies, eliminate redundant services, and reduce competition for board members, donors, and volunteers. The museums at Langley and Coupeville will continue to operate as local educational venues and destination visitor centers. A copy of the Transition (Merger) Plan is available at this link or at the Langley and Coupeville Museum during regular business hours.
• July 24 – 27 will be the 100^th Whidbey Island Fair! The Whidbey Island Fairgrounds Facebook page continues to post photos from the last 100 years—and there are hundreds up now for you to enjoy. 
• Monday, May 26, is a holiday and I will NOT be meeting with citizens. I will be available to meet with interested citizens on County matters on Monday, June 2^nd at 3 pm at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland.

Melanie 

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

~ Joseph Campbell