Politicians in Olympia are eyeing redrawing the lines that make up the 10th Legislative District to unite the Islands in three counties into one district. The 10th is a critical swing district and how it is redrawn could have significant political consequences. “No matter what, there is going to be...
Island County Public Hospital District No. 1, better known as WhidbeyHealth, is proposing an increase in their levy rate from $0.078 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposition will appear on the ballot in this November’s election. The district, which has struggled financially particularly since the beginning of...
Island County is taking action to stop people from camping on the beach alongside the road at Ebey’s Landing. The County Commissioners were informed there has been an explosion of unregulated campers who are leaving garbage, gray water and animal feces behind on the pristine beach. A local resident told...
The State Auditor’s Office issued two findings against the Whidbey Island Hospital District in a just-released audit report covering Jan. 1 2019 through Dec. 31, 2020. The audit found that the hospital district is two years behind in submitting complete and accurate annual financial reports and that the hospital district...
Island County officials took a second shot at finding a legal way to funnel American Rescue Plan Act money to county staff to compensate those who have to work with the public and are exposed to risks associated with the Covid pandemic. After Prosecutor Greg Banks concluded that the original...
The two largest law enforcement offices on Whidbey Island are facing the loss of significant numbers of commissioned officers this year. For some departing Oak Harbor Police Department officers, the significant changes in laws regarding how police officers operate affected their decision to leave. Oak Harbor Police Chief Kevin Dresker...
Island County Commissioners are considering many different ideas on how to spend the $16.5 million of taxpayer dollars given to the County thru the federal governments American Rescue Plan Act. Commissioner Jill Johnson suggested giving $9 to $10 million to Habitat for Humanity for purchasing property and putting in infrastructure...
Based on advice from Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks, the Island County Commissioners have rescinded a resolution that would have provided Island County essential employees bonuses for their “incredible work” during the Covid pandemic. The problem is that Washington state law and the state constitution does not allow for retroactive...
