LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council June 9, 2025

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

The communication coordinator updated the council on conversations about the request to join the state committee organizing celebrations of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence in 2026. The state committee is including tribal nation sovereignty in the theme. After talking to county libraries and historical museums who wanted a local history focus, there was both interest and questions about what resources the county would commit and tribal partner engagement. The council had mixed feelings and wanted to consult with tribes, veterans, and other parties.

The council heard a report on the progress on a language access program, building on the courts’ longstanding program to ensure that residents can access county services especially in Spanish, but in other languages as needed through translated materials and interpretation. They are developing a list of resources and guidance and training for staff. They are getting feedback on the draft from staff and the public.

The Human Resources director reported on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging program with training modules on foundations, inclusivity, and unconscious bias. Supervisors will get people management training. Then all employees will provide feedback. They are working on requests to improve interdepartmental communication.  

The Director Health and Human Services reported on the opioid settlement program. So far, the county has received about $320k and money will continue to trickle in over the next decade. They have spent $17k on naxalone and next step kits, which were distributed in the community. They will put out a request for proposals soon for programs to support people getting treatment which often must take place off island.  They plan to make $100k available each of the next two years.

The Prosecuting Attorney updated the council on the project to simplify county code, making it clearer and easier to use and eliminating redundancies and conflicting code. The project is halfway through and incorporating feedback from the public, staff, and various parties where they find the code unclear or conflicting.

The Food System Team Coordinator presented the food system plan which has five goals including increasing local food production, land stewardship, access to healthy food, reducing and processing waste and growing community connections. County implementation will be a network approach guided by the comprehensive plan.

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.