 Last night I attended the public meeting in Oak Harbor on the Comprehensive Plan. There are two other meetings scheduled, in Clinton and on Camano Island; in addition, you can attend the upcoming meetings of the Board of Island County Commissioners and the Planning Commission where we’ll be talking about it. We’ll take public comment until February 9. See below for details.
Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 3rd week of 2026.
Island County offices will be closed on Monday, January 19th, in recognition of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Regular Session, Tuesday January 13. This is the agenda and recording for Tuesday’s meeting: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/bb455c7a-12fe-4b7e-83aa-fe04990dfe14.
- There was one public comment from an individual expressing some concerns around the Natural Resources and Climate elements, but also saying there is much in them she likes.
- We welcomed new employees and thanked employees celebrating service awards. Kevin Hofkamp in Public Works was recognized for 35 years of dedicated service to the County, working his way from laborer to supervisor. Thank you for your many years serving our public, Kevin!
- We held a public hearing on the Delcoure Septic franchise on Camano (it was approved), but opted to defer the other two scheduled Camano franchises until we can look at all six of the franchises in that neighborhood as one presentation.
- We held a public hearing to adopt an ordinance establishing the Office of Public Defense in the County. It passed, with no public comment. Mark 00:45:58 in the recording.
- During Commissioners Comments, I spoke about the important contributions the late Nancy Nordhoff made to our South Whidbey culture. Mark 01:00:11 in the recording.
- The next Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The agenda for that meeting is available here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/b2fd90ab-b443-4b51-9b91-f98bb98ce046. I expect it to be a short meeting, as there are no regular items or public hearings scheduled.
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Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am):
- Tuesday January 27: Part 1 of Speed Study Public Hearing, to be held on Camano Island; public comment only; will be continued to following week
- Tuesday February 3: Part 2 of Speed Study Public Hearing, to be held in Coupeville; public comment and possible action
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Note: the engineering recommendation documents currently available on the Speed Study can be found here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/878/Speed-Limit-Study. However, there will be updates made—for example, the Board is considering a maximum Island County speed limit of 45 mph on County roads, which is not reflected in these documents.
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Work Session. This is the agenda for the January 7th work session: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-1102; here is the recording: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12355/01142026-Work-Session-Audio-MP3. Reminder: if you want to scroll through the recording to get to one of the times I note below, you will need to download it first.
- First item was appointments and reappointments to numerous County boards and advisory committees.
- Public Health brought a detailed conversation on their 2026 work plan. Mark 0:17:31 in the recording.
- Public Health also brought a contract for the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) for a grant to help pay for their work in removing derelict vessels and derelict crab pots. Mark 0:33:34 in the recording.
- Long Range Planning brought the Climate and Natural Resources Elements for the Comp Plan that have been released to the public for comment. Mark 0:42:20 in the recording. The presentation begins on page 72 of the agenda.
- The next Work Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9:00 am. The agenda for that meeting is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-1107. On that agenda: Updated Facilities work plan to include Commissioners’ recommendations on workload and priorities for 2026; Solid Waste disposal contracts; draft 5-year Homeless Housing Plan; findings from the recent report on the County Coordinated Water Systems Plan and a request to formally convene the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC); and an overview of infrastructure related changes in the draft Capital Facilities & Utilities, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation elements of the Comprehensive Plan update.
- The Island County Board of Health will meet next Tuesday, January 20th, at 1 pm. Agenda here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01202026-1104. On that agenda: Proclamation recognizing January 23rd, 2026, as Maternal Health Awareness Day; 2026 Legislative Report; a discussion on how new federal guidelines from HUD will impact the future development of Permanent Supportive Housing; a presentation and discussion on Child Fatality Review planning and partner agencies, with the goal of preventive interventions; Childhood Vaccine Planning; Community Health Improvement Plan; and a review of the draft policy docket for Board of Health member ranking.
- I attended the Ferry Advisory Committee today. This was a joint meeting of the Clinton FAC and the Coupeville FAC. We talked about Mukilteo terminal closures, new ferries, the FROG survey, and our influence (and lack thereof) with Washington State Ferries and the Legislature. We are trying to figure out how we can contribute to a solution to our ferry problems. If you are interested in serving on the FAC or just want to attend a meeting, let me know. Our next meeting will be Friday, March 20 at 1:30 and will be hybrid zoom/in-person.
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Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update:
o IMPORTANT: The current drafts of the Comprehensive Plan elements have been released. We are asking for public comment through February 9th. You will be able to find those elements here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan.
Long Range Planning will meet with the Board and the Planning Commission to discuss the draft materials for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update; dates below. They will meet during their regular meeting times in the Commissioners' Hearing Room in Coupeville. The public is encouraged to attend.
- January 21 – Infrastructure (Transportation, Parks, and Capital Facilities and Utilities Elements)
- February 4 – Economic Development and Clinton Subarea Plan
Public meetings will also be held on the following days:
o South Whidbey, at the Clinton Community Hall: January 20 from 5 to 6:30 PM
o Camano, at the County Annex Building: January 24 from 10 to 11:30 AM
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Public Health update: The Snohomish County Health Department has now declared an outbreak after confirming three NEW measles cases this week in local children who were exposed to the contagious family visiting from South Carolina. These three new cases amount to an outbreak – a sign the disease is now spreading locally. More information on this newest outbreak can be found in this press release: https://www.snohd.org/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/906. The new cases created measles exposure in Mukilteo and Everett.
- People sometimes send me rather impolite messages. I received two such communications this week. One of them, from a woman angry that the County has not yet replaced the Mutiny Bay boat launch, ended with “It appears county commissioners will say whatever is necessary to placate citizens in local meetings, with absolutely no intention of following through. You should be ashamed.” I replied to her that this week I had a one-hour call with Public Works, the ED of the Island County Economic Development Council, our lobbyists in DC and our region's representative from the Economic Development Administration of the US Dept of Commerce, in which we discussed in detail our grant request for $5 Million dollars for an elevated boat launch at Robinson's Beach. I said that “We are putting a lot of hours into planning for this. But it is a long process, involving many other agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers.” I share this information with you because many of you are probably wondering what’s going on with that boat launch too. We’re working on it. It will take time.
- I will NOT meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday, January 19th due to Martin Luther King’s birthday holiday. I will be there the following Monday, January 26, but will miss Monday, February 2nd for family reasons.
Melanie
“I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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