News Release No. 2-2003
March 20, 2003
The County Commissioners stunned the other elected officials Tuesday when they refused to authorize a resolution to move forward with voter approval of the financing for the Courthouse Building Project.
"This project is dead," said Prosecutor Randall K. Gaylord, who has chaired the Law and Justice Council for the past two years. "I am so discouraged and very disappointed," he added.
Gaylord added, "The Law and Justice Council provided the leadership needed for this County project. Many hours were spent and we were at the last step before we take this project to the citizens of the County. For eight years, we have systematically answered every question the Commissioners brought to us."
Auditor Si Stephens agreed. In response to criticism leveled by the Commissioners, Mr. Stephens added that, "We need to respect the leadership that the Law and Justice Council provided on this project for the past eight years. The Commissioners owe them that much, at the least."
Mr. Stephens added, "I trust the citizens of this County. They are intelligent and make good decisions. There is no reason not to let them decide the financing for this project."
District Court Judge Stewart Andrew observed that "The real estate excise tax provides a long-term solution for this project and other capital facilities."
Treasurer Kathy Turnbull said "I was amazed by Commissioner Nielsen’s comment that the Law and Justice Council failed to do their job in informing the public of the County's space needs. The Board of Commissioners needs to do their part."
The need for a second courtroom and additional office space has been the topic of discussion since the early 1990s.
1995
The Commissioners built an addition to the Sheriff’s Office, but declined to build a second courtroom above it for about $1.0 million. As the Law and Justice Council pressed the Commissioners to complete the project, the Commissioners raised one issue after another.
1998
All elected officials joined in solidarity to request that the Commissioners pay for the capital building projects with a one-quarter of one percent real estate excise tax. "This tax is specifically authorized by state law as the way in which counties should pay for buildings and capital facilities," said Gaylord. But, the Commissioners refused to allow the tax to be submitted for voter approval. Instead, they demanded that the project scope expand beyond the second courtroom and office space, and include all county departments. The Commissioners also asked that every other private building be considered for renovation and that the County consider moving its entire activity to other locations around Friday Harbor.
2001
A professional needs analysis was conducted by an architect which disclosed that presently, the County office space is about 30 percent less than what is needed today. The scope of the project was expanded to include all departments and elected officials. In the meantime, the Commissioners systematically purchased nearly all the property across the street from the courthouse to provide for building space or parking.
2002
In March 2002, the elected officials had a historical meeting. Over the course of three days, they joined together to solve a common problem. At the beginning, they agreed to reach decisions by consensus. In the end, they agreed to phased construction at the Courthouse and across the street for office space for the next 20 years. The budget price was set at $6 million, paid for with bonds paid by new taxes with voter approval.
The budget price was set at $6 million, paid for with bonds paid by new taxes with voter approval was confirmed by a unanimous resolution of the Commissioners signed on July 31, 2002.
At the County Fair in August, the elected officials met with citizens, distributed a fact sheet, displayed a model of the project and encouraged people to respond. Over 230 citizens responded on all islands and the results of the survey were shared with the Commissioners.
Then, the November election came. "Every local official up for election supported the building project. Each official was re-elected without that support being an issue. This demonstrated the support for this project, and suggested we expand the project to include updates to the accounting computer system and the phone system in the County," said Gaylord.
Gaylord added, "The citizens who responded to the survey gave us good information. And, in response, we came back to the Commissioners with a request that they move forward with the preferred financing method – the Real Estate Excise Tax."
The responses from the survey also suggested that it would be preferable to build the project in three phases instead of two. So a new Phase I was suggested. "All we needed was a budget for Phase I. If we had a budget and a tax proposal to take to the public, we would be ready," said Gaylord.
"Mark my words," said Gaylord. "Every time the Commissioners delay the Courthouse Building Project decision it will cost the County more money. The citizens and employees of San Juan County deserve better."
Randall K. Gaylord
San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney
350 Court Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 760
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-4101