Council reviews major initiatives and priorities for 2025 at two-day retreat

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

This week, San Juan County Council completed a two-day retreat where they reviewed significant projects from 2024 and began setting priorities for 2025. Main topics included preparing for the new biennium budget process, re-engaging in lobbying efforts in Olympia, and moving key infrastructure and planning projects forward.    

During the meeting, Councilmember Kari McVeigh was elected Council Chair and Jane Fuller was elected Vice Chair. The Council adopted the 2025 Council meeting calendar that will be available on the Civic Clerk section of the website. Other housekeeping items included assigning board, committee, and commission liaison roles, all of which will be listed on the associated board pages.  

Monday’s Retreat

Monday’s agenda included a review of major issues and initiatives of 2024 including the Community Health Assessment, the Conservation Land Bank’s Strategic Planning efforts, and notable contracts. The Destination Management Plan work, Sea Level Rise Adaptation Framework, and the Project and Plan Implementation Framework were flagged for further review.   

Other updates included a review of the communications program and future goals, the status of board and committee vacancies, and an update on County facilities. Council expressed a desire for additional facilities planning to lead efforts in prioritization of future projects, real estate transactions, and renovations.  

Council also received an update on Human Resources initiatives including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work, the 32-Hour Work Week, union bargaining, and recruitment efforts. As of the retreat, the County is recruiting for multiple positions including the HR & Risk Management Director, DCD Director, Deputy County Manager, a code enforcement position, appraisers, and several Public Works and Sheriff’s Office positions.   

Tuesday’s Retreat  

Tuesday’s agenda included presentations from the Department of Community Development (DCD), the Auditor’s Office, a review of the legislative process and lobbying efforts, and previews of other key projects from various departments.  

Staff from DCD provided updates on the number of permits received and issued in 2024 and permit review goals for 2025. The department also reviewed recent community outreach as part of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update and outlines efforts in other long-range planning projects including the Critical Areas Ordinance Update and code revisions. 

The Auditor’s Office provided a department overview including a review of the upcoming 2026-2027 budget process, an overview of the County’s grants program, and findings from the 2023 audit. The presentation also included a discussion regarding the services provided to Junior Taxing Districts and the timeline for a financial software system upgrade.  

The Council was also briefed on the County’s marine facilities and roads that may be susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise. Marine facilities and roads threatened by coastal erosion and storm surges may be in need of increased maintenance as they continue to age and face harsh weather conditions. Public Works staff also provided an update on the status of a shared-use trail on San Juan Island. The team plans to regroup in 2025 with new councilmembers to review community feedback and determine next steps. 

Council received an update from the Conservation Land Bank regarding goals developed in their recent retreat, upcoming projects on San Juan, Blakely, and Orcas islands, and the anticipated 2025 Communications Plan Update. In the coming year, the department plans to focus on access, stewardship, and management for climate resilience. In addition, Council reviewed the County’s recently adopted Tribal Engagement Framework that will seek to lead communication efforts with local tribes.  

To conclude the meeting, Council received updates regarding the newly adopted Cultural Access Program and ongoing efforts to utilize the $1.5 Million in Rapid Response Funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce to address disruptions to Ferry service. In both instances, the programs are still in development and Council will receive additional information in the coming weeks.  

What’s Next

The County Council will continue its regular meeting schedule on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, with a workshop meeting the following week on Monday, January 27, 2025. 

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