News from Hughes: Finances, Ferries & Local Projects Looking Good

— by Margie Doyle, updated at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 —

Council Member Rick Hughes

As the first month of 2014 drew to a close, County Councilman Rick Hughes from Orcas Island gave his outlook on the near-future of the San Juan Islands in an interview with Orcas Issues. That outlook is optimistic.

Finances: Hughes was pleased to announce that, thanks to a $645,000 beginning fund balance, in January 2014 the Council allocated:

• $250,000 to the County’s “Rainy Day” fund
• $100,000 to the Capital Improvements Fund
• $135,000 to  items that weren’t included in the proposed 2014 budget, including positions in the summer Parks program and the Communication program.

That  leaves a $150,000 beginning balance, and $10,000 in unallocated funds. Hughes says the nice nest egg going into the year is the result of tax revenues over projections and savings realized in every department.

As the county’s legislative body, the Council has a unique role in setting Legislative priorities. On Friday, January 24, over 20 county department heads and elected officers gathered at a retreat to help set those priorities.

They requested state and federal funding to expand the oil spill recovery program to include toxics and natural resources, such a s bitumin and natural gas. That funding becomes more significant as the U.S. federal government and that of Canada recently approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline through the province of British Columbia to the Salish Sea. However, Hughes is heartened by the fact that there are 223 provisions in the plan designed to protect the marine environment.

Ferries: San Juan County Council members also asked that the legislature renew its efforts to find long-term permanent funding for Washington State Ferries. With the legislature’s failure to pass a Transportation Plan in 2013, that funding has been missing since the 2000 passage of Initiative 695, which ended vehicle registration fees to support state transportation projects.

Further, Hughes, who is now Council Chair and who has served as the Council liaison to the Ferry Advisory Committee to the State Legislature, says that the county hopes to initiate a new program, “Ferry Plus One” so that there is a ferry in  “active reserve” whenever an old boat is replaced with a new boat. While two 144-vehicle ferries have been built in recent years, funding has still not been secured for funding for a third vessel, which the council has asked be dedicated to the Anacortes-San Juans route.

Hughes says it is likely the inter-island ferry, the Evergreen State, will retire from the active WSF fleet in September. He’s planning a last-run “parade” with yacht clubs, boat-owners, and government vessels to give a farewell salute  and flag in recognition of the boat’s 60-plus years of service

“The Evergreen State has been a stalwart for the community,” Hughes says. “Innumerable dollars of commerce have gone back and forth on that boat. I hope we can pay tribute to the ferry system and to the WSF crews who support the community. ” Indications are that WSF will participate.

The Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County have entered into an agreement to create a second slip at the San Juan Island ferry dock. And the vehicle reservation system for ferries, in effect on the Whidbey Island – Port Townsend run, should start this year in Anacortes, Hughes says, and the move to incorporate Orcas in its reservation plans.

Legislation: Tomorrow, Feb. 4, the Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the general, wetland, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation area critical area regulations of the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). Hughes is pleased that three of the four “pillars” of the Growth Management Act (GMA) are complete. Yet to be finished are the Economic Development Plan and Sub-area issues in Eastsound and Lopez villages.

The Council is also working with the legislature on updating regulations on agricultural land use.

Projects: Hughes relishes the opportunity to begin several projects that have been years in the funding and are now “shovel ready:”

• the Deer Harbor Bridge; County Engineer Colin Huntermer presented the status to the Council in January.  It authorized the hiring of a consulting firm to complete engineering and design work, as required by the state;
• the Cattle Point Road project through the National Park in San Juan Island is likewise set to begin on the west side of the island;
• streamlined permits for the Orcas School District, the Orcas Food Cooperative and Orcas Artworks at Olga.

Ahead is work with the Lummi Nation and Peter Fisher and John Campbell on re-opening Madrona Point traditional burial grounds on East Sound. Also coming on the horizon is the work to be done on Orcas Road between McNallie and Nordstrom lanes.  Hughes says, “I want input on that stretch of road, now.”

Hughes is also “pushing the county to spend time and energy on our marine assets,” including mooring buoys off Eastsound.

While he appreciates that “fate and luck” have put the Council in a positive position now, Hughes knows that government officials always “inherit” issues and controversies.  He says, “We’re trying to listen; with that comes a need for patience. It’s still county government.”

Past mistakes may not be fully rectified, but all parties need to be willing “to give it another shot.

“It’s cool to see things getting done,” says Hughes.

(Hughes plans to report to the Eastsound Planning Commission at its regular meeting this Thursday, Feb. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. )