A Message from Commissioner Bacon

Island County, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/04/2026 01:57 PM PDT

Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser
Island County

District 1 News September 4, 2026
Goose

Photo by Linda LaMar. I identify with this lone goose, standing on her right leg, isolated from her friends, taking a little break before she jumps back into the water.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 36th week of 2026. 

Next Monday, September 7, is Labor Day. Most County offices will be closed.

I learned today that next Wednesday, September 9, businesses in Freeland on the west side of Main Street from Freeland Café to the traffic light will be closed for an unknown period of time while the Freeland Water District does water pipe work at the Harbor Inn (necessary so that we can open the ten remaining units up for permanent supportive housing). The Water District does not yet know how long the water shut down will be (45 minutes? 3 hours?). Island County Public Health is reaching out to Freeland Café and Rocket Taco to help them identify ways they can remain open to serve food while the water is shut off.

  • The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/0685973e-2dca-4335-ad8f-17ee35a1cf27.
    • We received one public comment from a person in favor of the new APZ (accident prevention zone) maps for OLF field.
    • We approved a contract with the National Institute of Jail Operations for Training and Legal- Based Jail Guidelines, mark 00:04:48 in the video.
    • We completed our continued public hearing and adopted the Island County Six-year Capital Improvement & Clean Water Utility Programs for the Years 2027-2032, mark 00:41:16 in the video recording. 
    • The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, September 8 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2a3ad36c-9142-4b6b-b668-2737bb527f4d.  There are no regular agenda items or public hearings scheduled.
  •  Budget Workshop: 
  • Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):             
    • Tuesday, Sept 15:         Shoreline Master Program  
    • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Greenbank Estates (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Sunset Ridge (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Park Acres (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 13:           Padilla Estates (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 13:           Honeymoon Bay Vista (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 20:           2027 Work Plan and Planning Docket
    • Tuesday, Oct 27:           Clinton Water (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 27:           Hope View (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 27:           Unit. Owners Assoc. of Utsalady (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Nov 3:            PBRS
    • Tuesday, Dec 7:            2027 Budget & Levies
  • Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, September 2nd work session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-f3c17ceb3389919fcdc5f3630233ebca; recording is here: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15981/09022026-WS-Audio.
    • The first three hours of the meeting were spent on the 2027 Budget (see above).
    • Planning and Public Works brought us a discussion on reopening the Parks element of the Comprehensive Plan in 2027 since the Commissioners felt that we didn’t get sufficient opportunity to include our values and needs in the first go-round. Discussion begins at mark 2:28:58 in the above audio recording.
    • Public Works wants to buy a drone with lidar to improve their efficiency in a manner that avoids humans climbing down bluffs and failing slopes. Discussion at mark 2:54:40 in the recording.
    • We discussed the next step in gathering data for selecting a site for our new jail. Mark 3:29:08 in the recording.
    • The Commissioners are moving forward with purchasing an affordable housing complex in Oak Harbor at Marina View Place, which will be owned and operated by the Housing Authority of Island County. Mark 3:58:32 in the recording.
    • The other items shown on Wednesday’s agenda will be discussed at a future meeting.
    • Agenda for the Wednesday, September 9 Work session: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09092026-1244. On that agenda: Project Scope Change to the Rural County Economic Development (RCED) Grant Awarded to Oak Harbor/ Opportunity Council for Mulberry Village Housing Project Street Development; Assignment of Contract for Provision of Whidbey Island Recycling Services; Comprehensive Solid and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan Update; Long Range Planning 2027 Work Plan and Docket.
  • I will not be hosting Monday afternoon community meetings until November (and might not be back to meetings even then), but:
  • I am sponsoring a weekly meeting for citizens to meet candidates for County offices. These are not forums or debates—each week will be just one candidate talking with voters interested in hearing their message.
    • These meetings will be held at the Freeland Hall from 6 – 7 pm each Monday through October 19, excluding September 7 (Labor Day)
    • Tentatively scheduled so far:
    • Monday, September 14, 6 pm: Sheriff candidate Tavier Wasser
    • Monday, September 21, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Deirdre Butler.
    • Monday, September 28, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Matt Van Pelt
    • Monday, October 5, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Maria Hazelo

Melanie

“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”  ~Gloria Steinem