A Message from Commissioner Bacon

Island County, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/17/2026 02:06 PM PDT

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Island County

District 1 News July 17, 2026
A Field of Sunflowers

Photo by Linda LaMar

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 29th week of 2026.

  • The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/21b29d8f-105a-4d6e-ab39-a6d09f1623a5.
  • Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
    • Tuesday, July 21:         Claims Settlement ICC 2.32 Update
    • Tuesday, August 4:       McConnell (franchise)  
    • Tuesday, August 4:       Lone Lake (franchise)             
    • Tuesday, August 4:       Summerland (franchise)  
    • Tuesday, August 4:       TIP/CIP          
    • Tuesday, August 11:     2026 Budget Amendment             
    • Tuesday, August 18:     Madrona Annex (franchise)             
    • Tuesday, August 18:     Sunset Water (franchise)             
    • Tuesday, August 18:     Widarama Beach (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Carolyn Graves (franchise)  
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Groseclose (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Solvang (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Mt. Wenatchee (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Crawford (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Hudock (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Cary (franchise)
    • Tuesday, August 25:     Witham (franchise)                       
    • Tuesday, Sept 1:           Shoreline Master Program                               
  • The agenda for the Wednesday, July 15 Work Session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-f29c8fef7f1cf659535d6f04a3782bf3; the audio recording is here: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15658/07152026-WS-Audio.
    • We discussed the proposed fees for private kennels and commercial kennels with the Sheriff. Mark 0:11:05 in the recording.
    • Public Health updated us on the wastewater innovation proviso internship initiative. The project charter documents begin on page 66 of the agenda; the presentation begins on page 75; the discussion begins at mark 0:27:30 in the recording.
    • The Department of Ecology (DOE) finally returned the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to us with their recommendations and requirements for change (note: their deadline for doing so was over a year ago). Their letter to us can be found beginning on page 91 of the agenda, with their changes shown in RED. Prior to receipt of this letter I had learned from a member of the public that the DOE intended to require changes regarding shoreline armoring, and I spoke with Planning staff last month about my concerns that DOE’s requirements would not mesh with the WACs associated with that topic (they were going to require us to use a trend analysis of the last three years of storm damage in permitting armoring, whereas the WAC would allow us to use forward-based projections, a scientific methodology which is becoming standard due to the rapid changes from sea-level rise). Planning concurred with me, and the very last page of the agenda, p. 146, shows in BLUE the response Island County Planning sent back to the Department of Ecology prior to Wednesday’s work session. The discussion begins at mark 1:04:40 in the recording. Other than the section on armoring, the Board seems willing to accept DOE’s recommendations and requirements.
    • Note: today I spoke with the Planning Director and he said that DOE has suggested slightly different wording from the WAC that would still allow the forward-based projections. Since that section remains a working document that has not yet been presented to the Board I am not making it available to the public yet, but the final language will be available to the public by August 7, the Friday before the date when the Board will officially schedule a public hearing on the SMP for September 1. I want to assure the shoreline communities that we continue working to protect their interests as well as the interests of the general public.
    • The next Work Session will be held on Wednesday, August 5th. The agenda for that meeting will be posted by Friday July 31 here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.
  • The Board of Health will meet next Tuesday, July 21, at 1 pm. Agenda and zoom info here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-0821750b6d028dcaf19b3b448db2f4b3. On that agenda: A review of the letter intended for Island County retailers regarding the voluntary removal of Kratom from stores; Healthy Youth Survey; presentation on Strategic Vision for Island County Public Health; and Budget Overview for Island County Public Health.
  • There will be no Council of Governments meeting next week, but the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization will meet on Wednesday July 22 at 10 am. Agenda and zoom info here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-a3e4fee086e2c747747889428c9ee4e1.
  • On Wednesday I attended a meet-and-greet sponsored by Island Roots Housing to introduce the community to their upcoming housing project in Coupeville. The presentation slides are available here: IRH_Coupeville-Intro_2026-07-15_Slides.pptx.
  • Public Health Update:
    • Staying informed on Cyclosporiasis: What Island County residents need to know. Island County Public Health is tracking recent reports regarding a national increase in Cyclospora infections. Because we know this can cause concern, we want to provide our community with the facts regarding the situation here in Washington. While health agencies across the country are monitoring increased case counts nationally, Washington is not experiencing an outbreak. We see historically few cases in our state each year, and the vast majority of recent cases are linked to travel. The best way to protect yourself is by following standard, everyday food safety practices. Thoroughly rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean, running water before eating. When possible, cooking produce to at least 158°F (70°C) is the most effective way to eliminate the parasite. If you experience persistent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, or abdominal cramping, please reach out to your healthcare provider. To find the latest information from the CDC, you can find the latest update here: https://www.cdc.gov/cyclospori.../outbreaks/07-26/index.html. To learn more about cyclosporiasis, visit the Washington State Department of Health: https://doh.wa.gov/.../notifiable-conditions/cyclosporiasis
    • Wildfire Smoke Preparedness--Be smoke ready before wildfire smoke arrives. Check local air quality, keep windows and doors closed when smoke levels are high, and create a cleaner air space indoors with a portable air cleaner, or HVAC fan/filter if available. Limit outdoor activity on smoky days. If you need to be outside, wear a well-fitting N95 respirator and take breaks indoors. People with asthma, heart or lung conditions, older adults, children, and pregnant people may be more sensitive to wildfire smoke. Plan ahead and know where to go for cleaner air. For more information about day-to-day air quality in Island County, visit WA Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
    • The summer edition of Health Matters is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/174/Public-Health - docaccess-c8724654ea982f8c498adfa3ff762b24. In this issue: Staying prepared and healthy for summer events.
    • The Thrive Resource Directory will help you find services and supports
      available in Island County, making it easier to find information that fits your needs on such topics as healthcare access, housing, mental health, environmental health, and many more.       https://island-directory.blueprintagencies.ca/.
  • Island Transit news: https://www.islandtransit.org/
  • Island Senior Resources news: https://senior-resources.org/.
  • On Monday, July 20, District 3 Commissioner candidate Matt Van Pelt will join my weekly community meeting, at the Freeland Hall at 3 pm.

Melanie

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."  ~F. Scott Fitzgerald