San Juan County publishes 2024 Year-In-Review

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

San Juan County is proud to present the organization’s 2024 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 scrolling the PDF below, clicking HERE, or visiting the San Juan County Newsroom at: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-Juan-County-Newsroom. 

“This year, I watched islanders support affordable housing efforts, advocate for improved ferry service, collaborate to provide essential programs and services, and vote to protect what they love,” wrote County Manager Jessica Hudson.     

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:

• $1.5M awarded by WA Governor to support local transportation infrastructure in the islands

• $1.4M in new dollars from the Home Fund to projects that will create 64 new units of housing
• $975,000 in savings to the 2024 budget, 85% increase in job applications to the County, and 23% less sick time used by employees thanks to the 32HWW
• $600K dedicated to ADA improvements at the County’s Fairgrounds 
• $100K in rental assistance subsidies distributed to seniors and people with disabilities
• 39,969 meals provided via the senior nutrition program
• 15,725 people attended the fair and enjoyed 3,959 exhibits from 1,932 exhibitors
• 8,000+ calls for service to the Sheriff’s Office
• 5,751 pounds of litter collected during the Great Islands Clean Up events covering 338 miles of beaches and roads
• 895 immunizations administered by the Department of Health & Community Services
• 120 outreach events hosted by the Conservation Land Bank including preserve and trail openings, the Nature Rx Series, and Art on the Preserves Workshops
• 100+ community members attended in-person Comp Plan open house events
• 26 derelict vessels removed from the Salish Sea by the Environmental Stewardship Department 
• 16 miles of roads resurfaced as part of the annual chip sealing program

Find more ‘By the Numbers’ highlights in the full Year-in-Review.

2024’s Notable Projects and Programs

The 2024 Year-In-Review celebrates successes across County departments including the Fairgrounds accessibility improvements to facilitate safer travel to and through the property, the launch of the County’s first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging program, numerous health clinics and upgrades to County roads and facilities, the adoption of a Tribal Engagement Framework to guide work with tribal partners, and the creation of a Cultural Access Program, to name a few.  

Through coordinated lobbying efforts, our County was awarded $1.5M in emergency relief funding to support local transportation infrastructure during ferry service outages. San Juan County also continued to support affordable housing efforts throughout the islands via the Home Fund, the Affordable Housing Awards, Connecting Housing to Infrastructure (CHIP) grants and a new Emergency Rental Assistance Pilot Project. 

Drawing national attention, our creative approach to employee benefits via a 32HWW has proved positive for budget, recruitment and retention efforts, and employee wellness. By taking care of our employees, we’re taking care of friends, neighbors, and the bottom line. In addition, the County purchased and sold multiple properties this year in an effort to plan for staffing needs on various islands. The County purchased a building in Friday Harbor (the former Banner Bank building), sold its portion of the Orcas Island Senior Center to facilitate the non-profit’s growth, purchased a building on Fern Street in Eastsound to host County staff on Orcas, and purchased a property on Shaw Island for Public Works.  

This year, the Department of Community Development began public engagement efforts for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. Staff hosted community meetings on three ferry-served islands, tabled outside of local grocery stores to provide information, and presented multiple updates to Council. 

During election season, islanders used their vote to renew the Conservation Land Bank REET for another 12 years – further solidifying the islands as a leader in preservation.

“I am proud of the hard work, successes, and on-going problem solving in 2024 and look forward to new opportunities in 2025,” Hudson wrote.

The public is encouraged to view the full Year-In-Review document by following THIS LINK, visiting the County’s Newsroom (https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-Juan-County-Newsroom) or scrolling the PDF below.

SJC 2024 Year-In-Review (3)