A Message from Commissioner Bacon

Island County, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/11/2026 03:26 PM PDT

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

District 1 News September 11, 2026
Photo from Double Bluff by Linda LaMar

Photo from Double Bluff by Linda LaMar

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 37th week of 2026.

  • The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2a3ad36c-9142-4b6b-b668-2737bb527f4d.
    • There were no public comments.
    • We moved this item from the Consent to the Regular Agenda in order to take a moment for celebration: “Local Agency Agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation for SR 20 Shoulder Widening Race Road to Welcher Road”. This work has been a priority for the Board for over ten years, and we pursued multiple opportunities over that time to find funding. We finally got it from State transportation funds. This shoulder widening work will make it much safer for pedestrians walking on the highway shoulder near OLF. Discussion begins at mark 00:17:52 in the video recording.
    • There were no other Regular agenda items, and no public hearings.
    • The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, September 15 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/9a00203d-e3d5-46db-80f8-ebf507e69e32.  On that agenda: contract with Housing Authority of Island County to Provide HB 1590 Funding for the Purchase and Repair of an 8-Unit Apartment, Marina View Place, at 1475 SE 9th Avenue, Oak Harbor, for Affordable Housing; Public Hearing on Amendment to Title XVII to Implement Island County’s Shoreline Master Program Periodic Update.
  • Budget Workshops: 
  • 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 27:           Clinton Water (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 27:           Hope View (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Oct 27:           Unit. Owners Assoc. of Utsalady (franchise)
    • Tuesday, Dec 1:            PBRS
    • Tuesday, Dec 1:            2027 Work Plan and Planning Docket
    • Tuesday, Dec 7:            2027 Budget & Levies
  • Work Session. The agenda for the Wednesday, September 9 work session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-448923a0b60c112a9a19c0f095bec32c; recording is here: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16001/09092026-WS-Audio.
    • The main issue in this week’s Work Session that citizens might be interested in is the Comprehensive Solid and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan Update discussion that we began (there will be multiple opportunities for public engagement in future). This plan responds to changes in State law associated with the collection of organic materials as well as the Recycling Reform Act. The presentation begins on page 188 of the agenda; the draft plan can be found beginning on page 23; our discussion begins at mark 0:30:22 in the audio recording.
    • We also made two minor changes to the draft Planning docket; the public hearing is now tentatively scheduled for December 1. Discussion at mark 1:33:55 in the recording.
    • Agenda for the Wednesday, September 16 Work session (which will begin at 1 pm): https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-7fad69f534f34a3219e30a3d257ed9ed. On that agenda: Deer Lake Speed Limit Code Amendment to Island County Code 9.04.010; Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) Presentation; Appointment to the Northwest Senior Services Advisory Board; Appointment to the Northwest Workforce Council; Governor Ferguson 2027-2029 Local and Community Project Funding Opportunity.
  • The Executive Board for Island Transit met this morning. We approved an AI policy for the agency. The agenda for the meeting is here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/ac3d33af/files/uploaded/September+11+Board+Agenda+website.pdf.
  • The Board of Heath (BoH) meets next Tuesday afternoon, September 15 at 1 pm. Agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-2ef1f0c3006d9adbf85929644416d046. On that agenda: Introduction of Captain Alston to the Board of Health; Community Health Advisory Board Update; World Environmental Health Day (Sept 26); a presentation on Environmental Health and Behavioral Health Integration; Public Health Strategic Vision; 6 Month Impact Report.
  • Public Health Update:
    • WhidbeyHealth has seen an uptick in ER visits related to flu and Covid-19. With respiratory germs on the rise, now is the time to prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season. Vaccines are available now. Find local vaccinations: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/1072/Immunizations. Local respiratory illness updates: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/825/Respiratory-Illnesses
    • In the 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA), community members from across our islands identify an opportunity for us to coordinate all the amazing resources available in our county.  From there, Island County Public Health began working with partners to design the Thrive Island County Resource Guide. Thrive is an interactive resource directory with health promotion and education woven throughout the website. This provides islanders with information to guide their health journey and directs access to local resources to address their needs. To browse the Thrive Island County Resource Guide, visit the website: https://thrive.islandcountywa.gov/. Make sure you bookmark this website; new resources will be added as they come available!
  • 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 is 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
    • Tentatively scheduled:
    • 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

Today is Patriot Day, the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”     ~ Barack Obama