A Message from Commissioner Bacon

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 38^th week of 2025.

• Regular Session. The agenda and recording for the Tuesday September 16^th Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/198faa19-367a-493c-b764-405dcad34303.
• We received some very informative public comments this week. One provided helpful insight into why the Board should consider Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) applications with conservation easements attached to the parcels. Two individuals spoke about Crawford Road, which is included in our Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Two people expressed their concerns about the proposal under discussion to lower Oak Harbor’s housing numbers in the Comprehensive Plan update; and one of these individuals also spoke about the importance of moving forward with actions associated with the recently-completed wastewater study.
• We held two public hearings, one to adopt the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and the other to adopt the Six-Year Capital Improvement (CIP) and Clean Water Utility (CWU) Programs.
• The next regular session will occur at 10 am on Tuesday, September 23^rd. The agenda for that meeting is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/cab2af9e-ba88-4b4b-8376-41c3a485a455. On that agenda: a resolution Proclaiming October 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and a discussion with Long Range Planning on the current status of the discussions with Oak Harbor on their housing numbers under the Growth Management Act.

• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during Tuesday board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
  • October 21:          Planning Permit Fee Schedule
  • December 1:        2026 Budget
• Board of Health. The Board of Health met this week; agenda here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162025-1034; recording here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11117/Board-of-Health-09162025-Recording-MP3.
  • The Board of Health held a public hearing to adopt the updated 2026 Food Program fee schedule, with one minor edits. Documents begin on page 5 of the agenda.
  • We had a very interesting discussion on the Wastewater report. Documents begin on page 19 of the agenda; discussion starts at mark 0:19:40 in the recording.
  • We received an update on Youth Mental Health services available in Island County. Discussion begins at mark 1:06:10 in the recording.
• Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, September 17^th work session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09172025-1035; the recording is here: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11125/09172025-WS-Audio.
  • We started off with a discussion with the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney on the Board’s options regarding applying for a grant and imposing a sales tax as authorized under House Bill 2015. Due to our expectation that we will need to spend over $1.5 Million next year on Public Defense, and the fact that the State will provide us with less than $100,000 to assist with that, the Board is very interested in implementing both of these options in order to be able to pass a balanced budget in 2026 while retaining current service levels. A summary of HB 2015 can be found beginning on page 4 of the agenda.
  • We discussed changes to the invoicing procedures for the Tourism Board, mark 0:25:37 in the recording.
  • We reviewed the recommendations made by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for 2026; page 8 of the agenda, mark 0:50:22 in the recording. We recommended a couple of changes for the LTAC Board to consider, specifically the allotments made to four of the Chambers of Commerce, and suggested an increase to the recommended award to the Fair.
  • Long Range Planning brought a discussion on PBRS forestry policies, page 18 of the agenda, mark 1:28:20 in the recording.
  • Public Works and Public Health brought a discussion regarding testing protocol requirements for franchise agreements. I know this sounds boring—but our decision on this, to require water franchises to prove that they are not leaking water if they want to have a franchise to use our right-of-way, is one of the most important decisions we can make to ensure protection of our water in Island County. Mark 2:18:49 in the recording, page 63 in the agenda.
  • We reviewed a first draft of the proposed final speed limits. We will hold a public hearing on this in January. The big change from what we discussed before: except for the State Highways, the Board wants no road in Island County to have a speed limit higher than 45 mph. Mark 2:45:27 in the recording; documents begin on page 71 of the agenda.
  • The next work session will be held Wednesday, October 1st. The agenda for that meeting will be posted on Friday, September 26, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.
• Budget. We discussed the uses of the Clean Water Utility fund at our Budget meeting this week, islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11125/09172025-WS-Audio, mark 3:23:56 in the recording. Our next Budget meeting will be held October 14.
• Council of Governments (COG) and Island Regional Transportation Planning Commission (IRTPO). The next meetings of the COG and the IRTPO will be next Wednesday, September 24, beginning at 9 am. Both meetings are held in the Commissioners’ Board Room and share the same zoom link.
  • COG agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1040. On that agenda: Jail Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study; Broadband/BEAD Preliminary Awards.
  • IRTPO agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1041. On that agenda: Call for Projects project presentations.
• Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update: This is a link to the Planning Commission page:  https://www.islandcountywa.gov/235/Planning-Commission. You can find details on their meetings and minutes, including Zoom info, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4. The agendas are published at least a week in advance. The Planning Commission usually meets at 6 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville.
• Public Health Update. We're navigating a challenging 2025-26 vaccine rollout due to conflicting recommendations, coupled with limited FDA approval for the new vaccine.
  • To make access easier for COVID-19 vaccines, the Washington State Department of Health (WA-DOH) has issued a standing order that allows pharmacists and other healthcare providers to vaccinate adults and children who choose protection or meet the below criteria. WA-DOH recommends bringing a digital or printed copy of this standing order to your pharmacy or medical office. The below recommendations are based on scientific guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG).
  • The updated 25-26 Covid-19 vaccines are starting to arrive to community pharmacies and clinics. We recommend that residents call ahead to check availability and confirm insurance coverage. Apple Health plans will cover recommended vaccines by WA-DOH. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) issued national guidance for their health plans to cover all Covid-19 and flu vaccines recommended by the CDC as of Sep 1, 2025, without cost-sharing.
  • See the WA-DOH standing order and find answers to frequently asked questions, including information about insurance coverage: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization/diseases-and-vaccines/covid-19

• LIHI Community Meeting on the Harbor Inn housing project in Freeland: the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) will hold a community meeting on Thursday, September 25^th from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church. Their development and architect team will present on the status of the Harbor Inn Permanent Supporting Housing units and will share shelter outcomes from this last year.
• Annual Whidbey Island Veterans Community Picnic: Tomorrow, Saturday September 20^th, noon – 3 pm. 4632 Tompkins Road, Langley. Free food; parking and access for all abilities; beautiful views on Saratoga Passage. Bring the whole family—but No Pets, please. Hosted by the Whidbey Veterans Resource Center.
• On Monday, September 22^nd and the following Monday, September 29^th, I will meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm. As mentioned above, I will NOT be holding my usual meeting with citizens on October 6, October 27, November 17, December 22 or December 29.

Melanie

“I’m so busy, I’m not even available yesterday.”   ~ Craig D. Lounsbrough