Jessie Stensland reports from the Island County Commissioners’ board meeting on Tue., Dec. 2, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity AI
The day after approving the 2026 budget and a new one‑tenth of 1% sales tax for criminal justice, Island County commissioners voted to freeze all newly created positions until June. Commissioner Jill Johnson (R-Oak Harbor) proposed the motion, warning that significant cost increases are expected in 2027 for public defense, a planned new jail, and a vehicle leasing program, and saying she doubts the county can afford all current expense positions long term. Chair Melanie Bacon (R-Oak Harbor) backed the motion; Commissioner Janet St. Clair (D-Camano Island) abstained because it was introduced without prior notice but later said she supports the temporary freeze after researching its impacts.
They Said It
Johnson said she was concerned that the commissioners passed a new funding source, a one-tenth of 1% sales tax for criminal justice purposes, but didn’t save much in the budget for cost increases they know are coming in 2027. Specifically, she pointed to a hike in public defense costs because of new caseload standards dictated by the state Supreme Court, the operational cost of a planned new jail and the expense of the new vehicle leasing program for the sheriff’s office.
“Now that the whole picture is in place, I think it would be wise of us to hold and review them again in June,” she said. “At that point we will see where we are in the budget.”
“I’m not feeling the concern you are, however, over the years I’ve learned to really respect the depth of analysis that you make to the budget,” Bacon said to Johnson Tuesday. “So if you are feeling that concern, I’m going to respect that concern.”
“I’m not convinced that we will be able to carry all these current expense positions on the books into 2027,” Johnson said.
It was the surprise nature of the motion that led St. Clair to abstain from the vote. She said she wasn’t for or against the motion since she didn’t have time to consider the implications.
“I want to talk to HR and ask if there are other consequences,” she said.
On Thursday, she said she had time to research the temporary freeze and supports it.
