LWV | County Council notes for January 13, 2026

The council recognized January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Day and a Day of National Service. The WSU Extension Service reviewed programs in the county including Master Gardeners, 4-H, Native Plant Sales, Agricultural and Forest management programs, and Agricultural Summit. They will be holding farmer listening session in February. 4-H operates on four islands and grew 71% last year.

County manager’s office will manage the Capital Improvement Plan and will add a narrative format with priority criteria to go with the spreadsheets. They will continue a consolidated plan for Facilities, Transport and Environmental Stewardship projects. They reviewed priority facilities projects. They will budget an annual percentage for maintenance. The auditor updated the council on the new Munis financial software; the vendor has agreed to provide support until the process is complete.

The Human Resources director reviewed training, risk management improvements, faster recruitment and lower turnover. In 2026 they will negotiate a new contract with the Sheriff’s Guild. The deputy county manager reviewed new standards for public defense and its impact on the county. The standards limit the cases a single public defender can handle. Felony cases are well below the limit, but misdemeanors are running 10-20 cases above the 120-case limit. A new behavioral health pilot project may reduce misdemeanor charges. Contracting services to handle the overage is costly.

The Land Bank reviewed activity in 2025 and 2026 plans. The sale of Land Bank parcels to the National Park Service has been delayed but is still funded. The Land Bank plans to sell ten acres on Bailer Hill Road and may acquire a conservation easement near Cascade Creek on Orcas, and one next to Cady Mt. on San Juan.  They are writing management plans for Cady Mountain and Dolphin Bay. The Beaverton Valley Marsh Trail Project must go to bid by late August.

The community development director updated the council on the reduced backlog in permit processing; the average time to complete fell from 250 to less than 100 days. Permit requests have been stable. A first draft of an updated Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is under review and will be out for public comment shortly. Code Enforcement is working through complaints. The department will review permit fees and adopt new ones in September. They plan to streamline the temporary use permit process and redesign their website. There is one new docket request and 1-2 more expected.

* 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.