News and Views
Other News
Apr 11, 2024: Community Meeting: Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas on Lopez Island
Mar 11, 2024: Queers in Unexpected Places: Searching for (and Finding) Gender and Sexual Non-Conformity in the Rural and Early PNW
Mar 7, 2024: DRAFT Richardson Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Dec 5, 2023: County Council Member Jane Fuller and Senator Liz Lovelett to Host Public Meeting on Lopez
Nov 3, 2023: County and Town Send Open Letter to State Officials Regarding Impacts of Poor Ferry Service
Sep 29, 2023: Conservation Land Bank Announces Special Meeting to Discuss Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
Sep 14, 2023: The mobile dental van is coming to Lopez! // ¡La camioneta dental móvil ya llega a López!
Aug 22, 2023: San Juan County Adopts 32-Hour Work Week in the Name of Fiscal Health, Recruitment, and Islander Wellness
May 25, 2023: Recap of Lopez Neighborhood Meeting Regarding the Relocation of Public Works Facilities
May 23, 2023: District 3 Councilmember Jane Fuller Opens Office on Lopez and Hosts Community Conversation
Apr 17, 2023: Give Lopez Starts April 17th - A two week fundraiser benefiting 15 Lopez Island Non-Profits
Sep 22, 2022: Interim Watmough Preserve Addition Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes:County Council April 30
May 2, 2024
By League of Women Voters of the San Juans
County Council Meeting April 30
During public access a citizen raised concerns about the loss of trees, property frontage and cost of new fencing for those impacted by the Bailer Hill Road improvement project. Two people spoke about the library levy lid lift on the August ballot that covers only Library operations and listed the many services the library offers. The Council proclaimed May 21 Eric Johnson Day to honor the service of the outgoing director of the Washington Association of counties for 19 years of leadership and advocacy for counties and mentoring of county officials.
The Trust for Public Lands survey results showed solid public support for renewing the real estate excise tax (REIT) on property sales which funds the Land Bank. Citizens gave priority to protecting water quality, reducing wildfire risk, and maintaining rural areas.
In the first quarter budget review, county revenue was $15.5 million at 19.3% of budget and expenses $15.1 million at 17.2% of budget. Most revenue is running near normal with REIT running below and interest running above. The council set public hearings for May 21 to approve Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program awards and for June 4 to for an updated traffic ordinance. The Council approved the Noxious Weed Program to work on a code update that would revise the map and board representative mix. The Council approved the Land Bank to submit two grant applications for a possible waterfront property purchase on Orcas.
County staff reviewed the initial impact of the 32-hour work week six months in. The move addressed the fiscal impact of rising costs and wages that would have cost about $1 million. An employee survey showed that 67% of employees had improved satisfaction with more flexibility and better work life balance. Separations dropped 46%; the county saw a large increase in applicants for open positions. Total hours worked by county staff dropped only 8%, because staff took 31% less sick leave and vacant positions were filled. Some 12% of staff felt stressed by having the same amount of work but less time to do it. They need to look at a universal schedule and measure key performance indicators for the one-year review.
There were eight docket requests for zoning or comprehensive plan changes which will be reviewed by staff and the Planning Commission and recommendations brought to the Council. The Council will look at the County Volunteer Code of Conduct and how it is enforced. They will seek answers to some questions from the Visitors bureau for additional lodging tax funds.
The council will interview applicants for the county manager position on May 6. On May 7 there will be public meetings for county residents to meet the applicants at 9:00 at the Grange on San Juan, 11:15 at the Lopez Family Resource Center and at 2:45 at the Orcas Center.
*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.
The Trust for Public Lands survey results showed solid public support for renewing the real estate excise tax (REIT) on property sales which funds the Land Bank. Citizens gave priority to protecting water quality, reducing wildfire risk, and maintaining rural areas.
In the first quarter budget review, county revenue was $15.5 million at 19.3% of budget and expenses $15.1 million at 17.2% of budget. Most revenue is running near normal with REIT running below and interest running above. The council set public hearings for May 21 to approve Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program awards and for June 4 to for an updated traffic ordinance. The Council approved the Noxious Weed Program to work on a code update that would revise the map and board representative mix. The Council approved the Land Bank to submit two grant applications for a possible waterfront property purchase on Orcas.
County staff reviewed the initial impact of the 32-hour work week six months in. The move addressed the fiscal impact of rising costs and wages that would have cost about $1 million. An employee survey showed that 67% of employees had improved satisfaction with more flexibility and better work life balance. Separations dropped 46%; the county saw a large increase in applicants for open positions. Total hours worked by county staff dropped only 8%, because staff took 31% less sick leave and vacant positions were filled. Some 12% of staff felt stressed by having the same amount of work but less time to do it. They need to look at a universal schedule and measure key performance indicators for the one-year review.
There were eight docket requests for zoning or comprehensive plan changes which will be reviewed by staff and the Planning Commission and recommendations brought to the Council. The Council will look at the County Volunteer Code of Conduct and how it is enforced. They will seek answers to some questions from the Visitors bureau for additional lodging tax funds.
The council will interview applicants for the county manager position on May 6. On May 7 there will be public meetings for county residents to meet the applicants at 9:00 at the Grange on San Juan, 11:15 at the Lopez Family Resource Center and at 2:45 at the Orcas Center.
*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.