LWVSJ Observer Corps*: County Council April 21, 2025

||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS |||

During public comment the president of the San Juan Building Association spoke of improving the past adversarial relationship with the Department of Community Development. In addition to identifying and fixing problems, he wanted to acknowledge what is going right and to nurture it. He thanked three county employees who have been available and helpful. He welcomed a reconstituted Building Advisory Committee.

The communications director said the non-partisan America 250th Anniversary Celebration national and state committees asked the county to: join the Washington state committee; form a local committee; use the 250th Anniversary as the theme for the 2026 fair; and have Flag Day, July 4th and Constitution Day events in 2026. The state committee theme is connecting to our roots and supporting local history museums. The council asked for consultation with Friday Harbor, chambers of commerce, tribes and local partners and to seek public input before bringing the issue back to council.  

The council added two appointees for County Risk Pool roles. The Council reviewed proposed updates to the Transportation Element of the Comp Plan, including map refreshes and the inclusion of active transportation, noting the county has no roads that have good safety standards i.e. pedestrians and cyclists. Council Members asked for shortened and simplified language in specific goals and policies.

The Agricultural Resource Committee and the WSU Extension Coordinator updated the council on agricultural issues and programs. The county supports agriculture in extension services, the Land Bank, the county fair, Health Department food programs, affordable housing, and LTAC funding for farm tours. Farmer’s biggest challenges are finding farm labor, housing for farm labor, access to farmland and to USDA meat processing. The county could help with code updates for farm stands, agrotourism, and improved code and permitting for farm infrastructure. The county needs WSU to fill the extension officer coordinator job, which also supports the Master Gardener program, 4H, now recovering since Covid, the agriculture summit, forest health, and food reservation programs.

Mark Thomkins updated the council on DCD’s first quarter permit processing. For most permits, issuances were nearly even with submissions, and they are reducing the backlog for land use permits. They are developing data and a process for vacation rental permits and are looking at how to reduce the backlog of docket requests. They have developed a shoreline planning guide for property owners. The Comp Plan update and other large projects are ongoing.

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.