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County Council

Posted on: November 30, 2022

Council Meeting Review: November 8, 2022

Council meeting review

This meeting covered multiple public hearings, financial policies, PFFAP Awards, and more.

This document is a review of the County Council meeting, Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Information related to agenda changes, Consent Agenda, and Public Comment are on the County website.

PUBLIC HEARING: To Approve Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)–Colin Huntemer, Director Public Works

This public hearing on the County's Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) was required by RCW 36.81.121.

September 13 - 1st Touch

September 27 - 2nd Touch

November 8 - Public Hearing

November 29 - Adoption

The TIP must be consistent with the County's comprehensive plan and was presented to the Planning Commission on October 21. The draft meeting minutes from the Planning Commission are provided to the Council.

The TIP and Annual Construction Program (ACP) are scheduled to be adopted together with the County's general Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on November 29.

PUBLIC HEARING: To Adopt an Ordinance RE: Noxious Weed Program Assessment Increase – Brook Brouwer, PhD, WSU Extension Director 

In order to provide support for increased staffing and operations costs to meet the growing demand for noxious weed control services from the residents of San Juan County, the San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board recommends increasing the Noxious Weed Control Board assessment rates to: 

$9.25 per parcel and $1.85 per acre Non-Forest Land and $0.925 per parcel and $0.185 per acre Forest Land.

The San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board last received an increase in 2009 (Ordinance No. 1-2009, “An Ordinance Amending San Juan County Code Chapter 2.42 To Increase The Noxious Weed Assessment”), which established the current assessment rate:

 $6.25 per parcel and $0.625 per acre Non-Forest Land and $0.625 per parcel and $0.0625 per acre Forest Land (as defined by RCW 84.33 and RCW 84.34)

This proposed increase was voted on and passed during the Noxious Weed Board regular meeting Friday October 7th, 2022.

Council voted to adopt the ordinance increasing the noxious weed assessment.

PUBLIC HEARING: To Approve 2022 Public Facilities Finance Assistance Program Awards [Continued from October 18] – Christine Minney, Council Chair & PFFAP Application Review Committee Member

The PFFAP Evaluation Team met Monday, August 29 to review the applications submitted through the RFP process, which closed Friday, July 29. The team was comprised of: County Auditor Milene Henley; County Council Chair Christine Minney; San Juan Economic Development Council representative Chris Reed; Port of Friday Harbor Commissioner Barbara Marrett;  Town of Friday Harbor Administrator Denice Kulseth.

Available funding for the 2022 grant cycle is $484,487. 

All eligible applicants were invited to make a short presentation to the Team, and answer questions.   The Committee is forwarding the attached recommendations.

Council voted to approve the 2022 public facilities financing assistances funding as follows: 

  • Economic Development Council Trades Training Initiative = $55,118 
  • Economic Development Council Technical Training Accelerator Program = $57, 124 
  • Economic Development Council Business Support = $52,000
  • Economic Development Council 2023 Core Funding = $65,000 
  • San Juan County Parks and Fair Jim Crook Cabin = $80,000 
  • San Juan County Theatre Lobby renovation = $50,000 
  • Orcas Center generator project = $53,016
  • MacKay Harbor Water District = $102,000

PUBLIC HEARING: To Approve Community Development Block Grant – Corona Virus Close-Out – Ryan Page, Housing Program Coordinator

The purpose of this public hearing is to receive testimony on the performance of the CDBG-CV project. 

This project provided rent, utility and mortgage assistance to low income and below households in San Juan County affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2021 through May 2022, the project provided assistance to 96 households consisting of 196 individuals on all three major islands.

DISCUSSION: 2022 Budget Third Amendment [Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 29] (2nd touch) - Molly Foote Ph.D., Budget Analyst

This discussion included a summary of the third and final amendment for the 2022 Budget. This includes emergency appropriations and supplemental appropriations. A public hearing was also scheduled for December 6. 

DISCUSSION: 2023 budget Mid-biennial Review [Public Hearing for Tuesday, November 29] (2nd touch) - Molly Foote Ph.D., Budget Analyst; Milene Henley, Auditor

This discussion included details about the County’s Mid-biennial review and included information regarding different types of budget amendments and emergency appropriations.

DISCUSSION: Third Quarter Financial Review - Molly Foote Ph.D., Budget Analyst

Financial review of San Juan County's revenue received and expenditures spent through September 2022. Revenue and expenditures will be summarized for San Juan County as a whole and for the County Current Expense Fund.

DISCUSSION: To Approve Resolution Approving the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan and the 2023-2028 Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan [Public Hearing scheduled for November 29] (2nd touch) – Natasha Warmenhoven, Chief Deputy Auditor

DISCUSSION: Financial Policies Continued – Milene Henley, Auditor

The County is exploring a new set of financial policies which the State Auditor, granting agencies, other 

entities with which we do business, vendors, the general public, County staff, and anyone else who asks can access. The financial policies outline topics such as grants, travel, vehicle use, credit cards, and more. 

DISCUSSION: An Ordinance of San Juan County, Washington Setting the Property Tax Levy for Land Conservation Futures for 2023 [Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 at 9:15] (2nd touch) – Mike Thomas, County Manager

Each year, council goes through a process to construct an ordinance for levy rates. These ordinances outline what the prior year’s levy amount was, the statutory 1% that council can elect to collect, and any new factors, including ‘new construction.’ 

Council was given the following language for consideration: 

Section 1: The property tax levy for the Land Conservation Futures Fund is hereby authorized for the year 2023 in the amount of $346,553 which is an increase of $3,431 and is 1.0 percent over the previous year’s actual levy. This increase is exclusive of any additional revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; increases in the value of state[1]assessed property, and refunds made.

Section 2: The property tax levy for the Conservation Futures Fund is hereby authorized to use 

for 2023 banked capacity in the amount of $1.11. 

Section 3: The Assessor is hereby directed to include in the final levy calculations any additional 

revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind 

turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; any increase in the 

value of state-assessed property; and refunds made.

DISCUSSION: An Ordinance of San Juan County, Washington Setting the Property Tax Levy for County Roads for 2023 [Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 at 9:15] (2nd touch) – Mike Thomas, County Manager

Each year, council goes through a process to construct an ordinance for levy rates. These ordinances outline what the prior year’s levy amount was, the statutory 1% that council can elect to collect, and any new factors, including ‘new construction.’ 

Council was given the following language for consideration: 

Section 1: The property tax levy for the County Road Fund is hereby authorized for the year 2023in the amount of $5,078,126 which is an increase of $50,278and is 1.0 percent over the previous year’s actual levy. This increase is exclusive of any additional revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; increases in the value of state-assessed property; and refunds made.

Section 2: The property tax levy for the Road Fund is hereby authorized to use for 2023 banked capacity in the amount of $8.16.

Section 3: Of the total authorized property tax levy, $30,000 shall be reserved for use on marine navigation.

Section 4: The Assessor is hereby directed to include in the final levy calculations any additional revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; increases in the value of state-assessed property; and refunds made.

DISCUSSION: An Ordinance of San Juan County, Washington Setting the Property Tax Levy for Current Expense for 2023 [Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 at 9:15] (2nd touch) – Mike Thomas, County Manager

Each year, council goes through a process to construct an ordinance for levy rates. These ordinances outline what the prior year’s levy amount was, the statutory 1% that council can elect to collect, and any new factors, including ‘new construction.’ 

Council was given the following language for consideration: 

Section 1. The property tax levy for the Current Expense Fund is hereby authorized for the year 2023in the amount of $7,534,572which is an increase of $74,599and is 1percent over the previous year’s actual levy. This increase is exclusive of any additional revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; increases in the value of state-assessed property; and refunds made.

Section 2. The property tax levy for the Current Expense Fund is hereby authorized to use for 2023 banked capacity in the amount of $10.83.

Section 3. The Assessor is hereby directed to include in the final levy calculations any additional revenue resulting from new construction; improvements to property; newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities that generate electricity; any increase in the value of state-assessed property; and refunds made.

ACTION: Approve One-year extension of San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (Business Association of San Juan County) Destination Marketing and Management Services Agreement to December 31, 2023 - Jamie Stephens, Chair Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

One-year extension of San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (Business Association of San Juan County) Destination Marketing and Management Services Agreement. 

Council voted to approve the one-year extension of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau Destination Marketing and Management Services Agreement for one year. 

DISCUSSION/ACTION: Grant with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program – Kendra Smith, Director Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship requests approval to pursue a grant opportunity through the Puget Sound National Estuary Program to fund the development of a San Juan Islands Mooring Buoy and Vessel Management Strategy. This project would extend over at least two years and would be in the range of a $200-300,000 investment in both our marine environment and sustainable tourism.  

Council voted to approve the pursuit of a San Juan Island mooring buoy and vessel management strategy via a grant with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program.

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