||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
County’s Pilot Project for Marine Transport Services Concludes
June marked the final month of the County’s transportation project, providing emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during disruptions to Washington State Ferry (WSF) service as well as travel to and from the mainland (Anacortes) on a daily basis. Each of these services was available at no cost to the passengers, subsidized by the County’s emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office.
Do you have feedback to share? We’d love to hear from you! Use the ‘Feedback’ tool on our website to provide comments on the pilot project. These comments will be compiled and provided to the County Council, to the operators if necessary, and others involved in the pilot project.
Feedback link: https://engage.
County Investment in Affordable Housing on Orcas Island is Coming to Fruition
San Juan County is proud to support the work of OPAL’s Kidder Way Project through an award of over $2 million from the County’s Home Fund, and to have partnered with OPAL on a successful grant application to Washington State’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) resulting in a $190,000 grant for utility infrastructure for the project. The Kidder Way project will provide ten new affordable houses for ownership in a prime location near the public school and Buck Park in Eastsound.
The prospective homebuyers are slated to purchase their newly constructed homes in late 2025 and early 2026.
How Does the New State Budget Impact San Juan County Funding & Programs? Council Reviews Highlights
The County Council recently reviewed the impacts of the State budget on our local programs and services. WA State’s new budget, spanning from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, supports $77.8 billion in operating expenses. Key areas of impact to the County include increased funding to the ferry system and decreased funding to public health. Further updates regarding budgetary impacts will be shared as they become available. Read the full recap here:
Learn more: https://www.sanjuancountywa.
Project Reminder: Bayhead Creek Culvert Project on Killebrew Lake Rd Begins in September
Construction on the Bayhead Creek Culvert Repair Project on Killebrew Lake Rd on Orcas Island will begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and is expected to last until mid-October. The new project design significantly reduces the construction window from what was proposed in 2023 – reducing the overall project time by 50% (3 months to 45 days) and reducing road closure time by 90% (90 days to 9 days).
It is important for travelers to know that Killebrew Lake Road will be closed to through-traffic from September 8 through September 16, 2025. During that time, crews will work to facilitate access for emergency vehicles as much as possible. Read more: https://engage.
County Council Approves the Siting of an Essential Public Facility on Shaw Island
Earlier this month, Council voted to approve an ordinance allowing the siting of an Essential Public Facility (EPF) on Shaw Island to support the operations and maintenance of public transportation infrastructure on the island. The May 20, 2025 and June 3, 2025 Council meetings included public hearings where members of the public shared feedback and Council made deliberations.
Noting the importance of planning for the future needs of the island, on June 3, 2025, Council voted to approve an ordinance that includes language specifying that the County will use the new 1427 Neck Point Road property only for the uses outlined in the application for Siting an Essential Public Facility on Shaw Island. This facility will provide for specific departmental needs including a space for material disposal, a burn site for woody debris, an outdoor storage yard, and serve as a maintenance facility, among other uses.
Attention San Juan County Businesses: Sales Tax Decrease Effective July 1, 2025
San Juan County’s Treasurer’s Office is providing notice to local businesses of an upcoming change to sales and use tax in San Jaun County. Effective July 1, 2025, local sales and use tax within San Juan County will decrease fifteen one hundredths of one percent (0.0015) to comply with initial imposition of the Emergency Communication Tax. The remaining five one hundredth of one percent (0.0005) of tax will be used for emergency communication systems and facilities.
County Issues Pride Month Proclamation in Recognition of LGBTQIA+ Community in the Islands
The proclamation, written alongside members of the LGBTQIA+ community, acknowledges that LGBTQIA+ folks have lived in the San Juan Islands since time immemorial and celebrates their valuable contributions to the islands. The proclamation closes with a call to action, encouraging residents, businesses, and visitors to recognize Pride Month by seeking education and information, acknowledging the broad history and impact of LGBTQIA+ county residents, and engaging in ongoing dialogue with family, friends, and neighbors in an effort to create and sustain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
Learn more about the County’s recent news by visiting: sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
