 Photo by Linda LaMar
Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 16th week of 2026.
- Debra Van Pelt has been Island County Superior Court Clerk for 16 years but is not running for reelection this year. We thank her for her dedicated service to the public over four terms of office, plus her years working as a deputy clerk in that office prior to her election.
- The Island County Superior Court Clerk is an elected position that oversees management of the filings associated with Superior Court. They have a staff who assists with this important work. It is an extremely detailed function, and Court paperwork must be perfect since errors can have such profound impact on people’s lives. The Island County website for the office is here: https://islandcountywa.gov/394/Superior-Court-Clerk; the RCWs that govern the office are here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=36.23.
- Online candidate filing for this position opens Monday, May 4, 2026 at 8 a.m. and closes Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m.
- Debra is retiring in May, before her term ends. The Board of Island County Commissioners will be responsible to appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term (until the November election). Since she ran as a Democrat, the Island County Democratic Party will provide the Board with names to consider as her replacement during this time (see RCW 42.12).
- If you plan to file for this position and would also like to be considered for appointment to the seat until the November election, contact the Island County Democratic Party to let them know you would like to be considered as an applicant.
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Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
- Tuesday April 21: 2025 Budget Amendment
- Tuesday April 21: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Amendment
- Tuesday, April 28: Linkatoon Franchise
- Tuesday, April 28: Brentwood Franchise
- Tuesday, May 5: St. Peter Franchise
- Tuesday, May 5: Hellum Franchise
- Tuesday, May 19: Procurement
- Tuesday, May 19: Amending Record of Proceedings code
- Tuesday, May 12: Curbside Recycling
- Tuesday, June 2: SE Camano Franchise
- Tuesday, June 2: Olympic Marine Franchise
- Tuesday, June 2: Higgins Franchise
- Tuesday, June 9: Private/commercial dog kennels
- Tuesday, June 9: Potentially dangerous dogs
- This is the agenda for the April 15 Work Session: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04152026-1154. This is the recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13909/04152026-WS-Audio. Reminder: you’ll need to download the recording if you want to scroll to the places I mark below.
- Sheriff Felici brought three items to the Board. The first was in response to the animal welfare code we adopted a couple of years ago, a code revision to establish licenses for Commercial Kennels and Private Kennels, with fees set for Commercial Kennels. We will hold a public hearing on this in June. The documents can be found beginning on page 11 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 0:22:04 in the recording.
- The Sheriff brought a second code proposal regarding potentially dangerous dogs. We will hold a public hearing in June on this item as well. The resolution begins on page 35 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 0:28:29 in the recording.
- We also had a conversation with the Sheriff about his 2026 budget. Mark 0:39:18.
- Coroner Shantel Porter brought a request to hire a new position in her office. The Board was convinced of the criticality of this position and agreed to this staffing addition, which will be included in the 2026 Budget Amendment public hearing next week. Discussion begins at mark 1:08:40 in the recording.
- We discussed the second phase of the three-phase communications plan for the Correction and Rehabilitation Center (Jail) Project. Community engagement will be crucial to the success of this project. Contract begins on page 47 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 1:27:46 in the recording.
- Public Health updated us on Conservation Futures Funding program applications (prior to our official review and decisions to be made later). The applications that will be considered can be found on page 53 of the agenda; the discussion begins at mark 1:37:46 in the recording.
- We reviewed the extensive number of permits processed in 2025. Page 130 in the agenda; discussion at mark 1:59:01.
- We were happy to discuss a new affordable housing project in Coupeville by Island Roots Housing, and agreed to move the process forward to give them $1 Million for purchase of the property. This project would provide a minimum of 80 units of housing. Discussion begins at mark 2:36:09 in the recording, contract on page 135 in the agenda.
- Facilities Director Mark Sibon brought a discussion of items and budget for the Facilities elements of the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan, beginning on page 156 in the agenda, mark 3:09:01 in the recording.
- The scheduled discussion with WSU Extension was cancelled.
- There will be no work session next week. The next BOCC work session will occur on Wednesday, May 6; the agenda for that meeting will be posted by Friday, May 1 here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.
- Next Wednesday April 22 the Council of Governments (COG), Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) and Island Local Integrating Organization (ILIO) will all meet. They will use the same zoom link, which can be found on the agendas.
- The Board of Health meeting was cancelled for April.
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Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update: We are finally nearing the end of the Planning Commission’s involvement in development of the Comp Plan. 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. They intend to hold three Planning Commission meetings in May as shown below, in the Commissioners Board Room in Coupeville:
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Wednesday April 29 – Final draft Comp Plan published for Planning Commission review, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan.
- Wednesday May 13 – Workshop, 6 PM (this replaces the usual first-Wednesday meeting in order to give the Planning Commission and public sufficient time to review the final draft Comp Plan)
- Wednesday May 20 – Public Hearing, 6 PM
- Wednesday May 27 – Public Hearing, 6 PM
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Island Transit news: Long Range (20-year) Transit Plan
- Island Transit Roadmap 2047, https://www.islandtransit.org/roadmap-to-2047.
- Island Transit is developing its Long Range Transit Plan and wants you to fill out their survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LongRangePlanEnglish
- As part of this planning process, Island Transit needs your input at the following public presentations
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Langley. Monday, April 27 from 4 – 6 pm at the Langley Library.
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Coupeville. Tuesday, April 28 from 4 – 6 pm at the Coupeville Library.
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Camano Island. Wednesday, May 6 from 11 am – 1 pm at the Camano Center.
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Oak Harbor. Thursday, May 7 from 11 am – 1 pm at the Center.
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Island Senior Resources news: https://senior-resources.org/. Dates and times of scheduled events are subject to change. It’s always advisable to call to confirm, 360-321-1600.
- Island Senior Resources Info session—learn about their programs such as Meals on Wheels, Medical Transportation, Medical Equipment, In-Home Caregiving Programs, Medicare Savings Program, Falls Prevention, Support Groups. Tuesday April 21, 3 pm, Parkwood Manor Club House, Oak Harbor
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Meet Me @ is a brand-new series of casual, connection-focused events designed for caregivers and the people they support. The first event, Meet Me @ Meerkerk, invites participants to enjoy a leisurely stroll through Meerkerk Gardens followed by a bring-your-own picnic lunch. Friday, May 1, 11 am at Meerkerk Gardens.
- I will meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday April 20. I will be out of town on April 27.
Melanie
April is National County Government Month. I hope there are people reading this newsletter today who will consider how they might contribute to County Government by running for one of the numerous Island County Government offices up for election in November. As I noted above, online candidate filing opens Monday, May 4, 2026 at 8 am and closes Friday, May 8, at 5 pm
“The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power.” ~Andrew Jackson
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