This column is part of a series detailing San Juan County’s recent news. Follow along each month to learn about important County projects, Council initiatives, department updates, and more.
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
County Council Passes 2026 Budget but Prepares for Ongoing Financial Discussions in 2027
During the December 9 meeting and public hearing, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2026 budget. This adopted budget includes cuts to staffing and other reductions across department operating expenses. Moving forward, the Council will engage in conversations about restructuring County services and departments, as well as evaluating other potential revenue changes.
San Juan County Celebrates Affordable Housing Wins in 2025
This year, San Juan County funded new construction projects, provided rental subsidies, secured emergency rental assistance, and more to address affordable housing issues in the islands. This December, the County Council took meaningful action to support affordable housing work, including approving the Development Agreement for the Argyle project, adopting the updated Five-Year Homeless Plan 2025-2030, and awarding $12,000 in grants to support cold weather sheltering. Read more: https://www.sanjuancountywa.
A Victory for Affordable Housing: County Council Approves Development Agreement for Argyle Project
At the December 9 Council meeting, the San Juan County Council authorized a Development Agreement between the County, Town of Friday Harbor, and San Juan Community Home Trust for the Argyle project on San Juan Island which will provide an estimated 35-40 units of affordable rental housing for very-low-, low-, and moderate-income households.
In addition to providing land for the project, the County has also committed $1.79 million to the Argyle project. This money comes from the County’s Home Fund – a program approved by voters in 2018 that contributes funding towards the creation and preservation of affordable housing funded by a Real Estate Excise tax (REET), and a 1/10th of 1% sales tax.
County Council Adopts 2025 Comp Plan Update – Leaves Several Items for Further Discussion in 2026
During the December 9 meeting and public hearing, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update (Comp Plan). The County undertook this project as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update. Over the year, the County Council and the Planning Commission reviewed individual elements and accepted public comment. The updated Comprehensive Plan is effective starting on March 13, 2026.
The Council did not adopt the proposal to expand the Roche Harbor Master Planned Resort land use designation on the Comprehensive Plan Official Maps. In the new year, the County will work on two other parts of the Comp Plan: Friday Harbor Urban Growth Area (UGA) capacity and mineral resource lands Official Map overlay.
From Pilot to Payoff: SJC’s 32HR Work Week Pilot Project Brings Fiscal Savings & Workforce Gains
Adopted as a cost-savings measure in 2023, San Juan County’s 32-Hour Work Week (32HWW) has amassed two years of data proving that the pilot project is paying off in more ways than one.
The final, two-year report details how the 32HWW enabled the County to operate within its fiscal means throughout 2024 and 2025 – without raising current expense taxes or significantly cutting staff and services. This shift saved the County nearly $2 million in projected cost-of-living expenses tied to a traditional 40-hour model. The County’s recruitment and retention efforts have also seen measurable improvements under the 32HWW, with applications for County positions increasing by 216%, open roles being filled 27% faster, and sick leave usage declining by 18%.
With steady positive results across the pilot project’s two years, the County will continue operating under a 32HWW, using this schedule as the new standard for operations.
San Juan County Resident Camping Reservations Open February 24 – Set Up Your Account Now!
On Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 am through Thursday, February 26 at 4:00 pm, reservations will be available online to San Juan County residents. This is a three-day window, prior to our reservation website opening to the public on Tuesday, March 3 at 9:00 am. Please go directly to our reservation system at http://sanjuancountywa.
San Juan County Opens Cultural Access Application Materials & Recruits for New Review Board
San Juan County’s Cultural Access program is one step closer to awarding funding to local organizations in support of access to culture, science, art, and history education experiences. Now, application materials are live, and recruitment for the advisory board is underway! Application guidelines and materials are now available for local organizations to access, review, and begin completing. Materials are available on the Cultural Access San Juans webpage: https://www.sanjuancountywa.
Learn more about the County’s recent news by visiting: sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-
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