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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
San Juan County Publishes 2023 Year-In-Review
Jan 9, 2024
By San Juan County
The County is proud to publish highlights from the last year, including a message from the County Manager, notable projects and programs, by-the-numbers statistics, and more.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. January 9, 2024 - San Juan County is proud to present the organization’s 2023 Year-In-Review, highlighting accomplishments, notable projects, and the breadth of programs and services provided to island communities. The public is encouraged to access the document on the County website by visiting the San Juan County Newsroom at: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-Juan-County-Newsroom.
“The success of the past 12 months was made possible by and through the diligent work of the employees, elected officials, and those who gave generously of their time to serve on any number of boards and commissions,” wrote County Manager, Mike Thomas, in the introduction. “I am proud of the work, successes, and organizational changes you will read in the Review.”
By the Numbers Highlights
The review includes ‘By the Numbers’ highlights that span Environmental Stewardship programs to Public Works Projects, recruiting and hiring stats, calls for service to the Sheriff’s Office, and more, including:
- $2 million generated by the HomeFund for affordable housing projects
- $635,000+ federal ARPA funds allocated to support community services including resource centers and daycare
- 36,000 meals provided via senior services programs
- 10,000+ calls for service to the Sheriff’s Office
- 43 full-time and 29 seasonal positions filled
- 65,111 site visits to the ‘Engage’ platform
- 2,109 immunizations administered by Health and Community Services Department
- 1,002 responses to the Public Works Survey -‘How should your roads work for you?’
- 132 creosote pilings removed from San Juan Island’s Jackson Beach
Find more 'By the Numbers' highlights in the full Year-in-Review.
2023’s Notable Projects and Programs
The 2023 Year-In-Review celebrates successes across County departments including the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal Landing improvements for better accessibility, the launch of the ‘Engage’ platform for increased community engagement, the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of San Juan County, numerous health clinics and upgrades to Parks and Fair facilities, and the adoption of the 2024/25 biennial budget, to name a few.
To magnify its voice and strengthen advocacy efforts, the County joined a multi-county consortium (SWISS) to partner on common issues such as housing, health, transportation, and ferries. Council published an open letter to state officials regarding the impacts of poor ferry service in the Islands.
The County completed ground-breaking scientific work on a Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment Study that provides the science needed to assess future impacts to shoreline ecology, public infrastructure, and private property. Sea level rise, along with climate change science and information, will be included in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update and used in capital project decision making.
Exasperated by difficulty recruiting and maintaining staff, the County boldly adopted a 32-hour work week - the first County to do so in the state. The change yielded a notable increase in applications and successful recruits.
Thanks to the vision of the voters, the HomeFund provided $2 million for affordable housing projects. The County passed a housing sales tax and selected a private partner to build a public/private affordable housing development in Friday Harbor.
“The progress and lessons learned in 2023 will serve the County and community well as we begin 2024,” Thomas wrote.
The public is encouraged to view the Year-In-Review document by scrolling the PDF below, by following THIS LINK, or by visiting the County's Newsroom: San Juan County Newsroom | San Juan County, WA (sanjuancountywa.gov)
“The success of the past 12 months was made possible by and through the diligent work of the employees, elected officials, and those who gave generously of their time to serve on any number of boards and commissions,” wrote County Manager, Mike Thomas, in the introduction. “I am proud of the work, successes, and organizational changes you will read in the Review.”
By the Numbers Highlights
The review includes ‘By the Numbers’ highlights that span Environmental Stewardship programs to Public Works Projects, recruiting and hiring stats, calls for service to the Sheriff’s Office, and more, including:
- $2 million generated by the HomeFund for affordable housing projects
- $635,000+ federal ARPA funds allocated to support community services including resource centers and daycare
- 36,000 meals provided via senior services programs
- 10,000+ calls for service to the Sheriff’s Office
- 43 full-time and 29 seasonal positions filled
- 65,111 site visits to the ‘Engage’ platform
- 2,109 immunizations administered by Health and Community Services Department
- 1,002 responses to the Public Works Survey -‘How should your roads work for you?’
- 132 creosote pilings removed from San Juan Island’s Jackson Beach
Find more 'By the Numbers' highlights in the full Year-in-Review.
2023’s Notable Projects and Programs
The 2023 Year-In-Review celebrates successes across County departments including the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal Landing improvements for better accessibility, the launch of the ‘Engage’ platform for increased community engagement, the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of San Juan County, numerous health clinics and upgrades to Parks and Fair facilities, and the adoption of the 2024/25 biennial budget, to name a few.
To magnify its voice and strengthen advocacy efforts, the County joined a multi-county consortium (SWISS) to partner on common issues such as housing, health, transportation, and ferries. Council published an open letter to state officials regarding the impacts of poor ferry service in the Islands.
The County completed ground-breaking scientific work on a Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment Study that provides the science needed to assess future impacts to shoreline ecology, public infrastructure, and private property. Sea level rise, along with climate change science and information, will be included in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update and used in capital project decision making.
Exasperated by difficulty recruiting and maintaining staff, the County boldly adopted a 32-hour work week - the first County to do so in the state. The change yielded a notable increase in applications and successful recruits.
Thanks to the vision of the voters, the HomeFund provided $2 million for affordable housing projects. The County passed a housing sales tax and selected a private partner to build a public/private affordable housing development in Friday Harbor.
“The progress and lessons learned in 2023 will serve the County and community well as we begin 2024,” Thomas wrote.
The public is encouraged to view the Year-In-Review document by scrolling the PDF below, by following THIS LINK, or by visiting the County's Newsroom: San Juan County Newsroom | San Juan County, WA (sanjuancountywa.gov)