Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair (D-Camano Island) sent the following email to constituents on Fri., Dec. 29, 2023.
SR 532 Existing Conditions Analysis
Hello Islanders,
I want to take a moment as 2023 ends to recap some more significant actions this year and set the stage for big conversations in 2024. The Board of County Commissioners adopted a budget of $138.4M for 2024. Despite possible financial clouds on the horizon, the Board chose to focus on maintaining and improving public services in our health & human services, permitting, and public works departments, and with increased funding to the Sheriff’s office to maintain public safety on our islands. This focus on public safety was reinforced this year by policy decisions that included additional animal control officers in the Sheriff’s Office and updated animal welfare codes to protect the public and the well-being of animals in our county. An egregious animal neglect case on Whidbey Island and issues with dangerous dogs on both islands precipitated this action. Additionally, our 2024 budget set aside investments to prepare for our Comprehensive Plan Update (Comp Plan), a significant document that sets forth the values and vision of the County for the next ten years. To get involved in this vital work, please click on the link above to be informed of activities and opportunities to offer your ideas and input.
The Board of Island County Commissioners has added into our comprehensive planning process recent resolutions that set the values and priorities for our county. These include the Climate Change Resolution passed in 2022 that emphasized the county’s commitment to mitigate climate change and take measurable steps to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint. We also passed a resolution on equity to ensure that all in Island County can thrive where they work, live, and play. Finally, in December, the Island County Board of Health passed a Health in All Policies (HIAP) resolution that put forward a clear commitment that the health and well-being of island residents will be foremost in our thinking as we work on key policies, such as the Comp Plan. HIAP is the construct that has helped the Board to embed health in all policies, the climate in all policies, and equity in all policies’ lenses into our work.
Before us in 2024 is some unfinished business from 2023, including public hearings on the following issues:
- Fee adjustments for Planning & Community Development. There have been no increases in costs for permitting since 2018.
- Review and public input for our Regional Transportation Plan.
- Public Hearing for a partial ban of fireworks and one less day to lawfully set off fireworks, eliminating the 5th of July.
- Public Hearing on speed limit changes in Island County.
In addition, we will be focusing time and effort on the Comprehensive Plan, as noted above. Please make sure you sign up for the issues that matter most to you. You can always get information and sign up for alerts on Island County, WA | Official Website (islandcountywa.gov). I will be on vacation January 2nd-13th, but staff and my colleagues can assist with any questions or concerns. I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Janet St. Clair, Commissioner District 3
