A Message from Commissioner Bacon

National Guard personnel not pictured.

Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 44^th week of 2026. 

You will not notice them because they will not be in uniform, but the Island County Auditor has accepted the Governor’s offer to provide National Guard personnel as observers for ballot drop boxes overnight. They will not empty boxes, handle ballots, interact with voters, or act in any enforcement capacity; if they see anything of concern, they will follow county-established procedures and call 911 so local law enforcement can respond. The State is paying for this, not the County.

You may remember that the County Commissioners have been trying to get funding for shoulder widening from Welcher to Race Road for many years now. Well, our efforts have certainly paid off—now both the State government and the Federal government have granted us funds. Big thanks to Congressman Larsen and Senator Murray for their help on this, and congratulations to previous County Commissioners for their early work getting the ball rolling on this important safety project.

• The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, October 27; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/1045b5c3-9be9-4b3b-b954-886885a3a737.
  • There were no public comments this week.
  • We held 3 public hearings this week on franchises. All were approved.
  • Included in our Consent Agenda this week: the appointment of James Sylvester as County Engineer (replacing Ed Sewester who retired recently). And this morning I was told by our Public Works Director that Jacqueline Gabelein has been appointed as Assistant Public Works Director, replacing James. Congratulations, James and Jackie—I know you’ll both be very successful in your new roles!
  • The agenda for the Tuesday, November 3 meeting: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/cc2c2857-8fcb-4235-8f23-c6c249b53eb9. On that agenda: the Planning public hearing shown below.
• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):             
  • Tuesday, Nov 3:            2027 Planning Work Plan and Planning Docket
  • Tuesday, Dec 1:            PBRS
  • Monday, Dec 7:             2027 Budget & Levies
  • Tuesday, Dec 8:            New Code: Unified Approach to Code Enforcement 
• Work Session. There was no work session this week. The next work session will be held on Wednesday, November 4, beginning at 10 am. Agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-092bb52e8fa6232ea3edccb90de56cb4. On that agenda: an update on the Wastewater Proviso and Legislative Funding Request, and a resolution to increase salaries for non-elected non-represented employees by 2.5% in 2027.
• The Council of Governments (COG), the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) and the Island Local Integrating Organization (ILIO) all met Wednesday, October 28^th.
  • COG agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-953690ecf1706fe2254e91e65f7eddc8. Recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16343/10282026-COG-Audio. Representatives from Congressman Larsen’s and Senator Murray’s offices spoke about their priorities and their work on projects that have benefited Island County citizens. State Representatives Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers spoke about their priorities; Rep. Paul gave a ferry update.
  • IRTPO agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-ba5e449588db2a8f1888173ef12d8a14. Recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16344/10282026-IRTPO-Audio. We approved the Human Services Transportation Plan. Also: in response to a citizen’s public comment, a representative from WSDOT told the IRTPO that our two bridges north of Oak Harbor—Deception Pass and Canoe Pass—are on the State’s 6-year plan for a seismic retrofit and special bridge repair, to the tune of around $40 Million! None of us who serve local jurisdictions in Island County had known anything about this prior to WSDOT’s answer to the citizen’s concerns, although apparently WSDOT has been in conversation with the Navy. We asked WSDOT to give the IRTPO a full update on this including timelines early in 2027. This discussion begins at mark 0:17:58 in the recording; the WSDOT information begins at 0:20:22.
  • ILIO agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter - docaccess-779caad2b91eb4275c064b43f3a604dc. Recording: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16342/10282026-ILIO-Audio-MP3. The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on several proposed rule changes designed to help local governments more effectively manage shorelines. Ecology is accepting public comments through November 17, 2026. Comments can be submitted online on their public comment page: https://ecology.commentinput.com/?id=4e3Etx2WUb. For more information, see: https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2026/sept-4-proposed-update-to-shoreline-management-rules.
• Public Health Update:
  • This week the Navy notified the Island County Board of Health that, following discussions with Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor staff and our Defense Health Agency network, they will begin a phased transition of TRICARE Plus beneficiaries—patients age 65 and older—to primary care providers in the private sector. Approximately 656 patients are currently enrolled in this category. As needed, NASWI will assist TRICARE Plus beneficiaries with identifying and establishing care with a community primary care provider. This change is effective immediately. Patients will be notified by mail, and the notification letter will include points of contact for those requiring assistance. They will begin the referral process with patients who have not received care at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor within the past 24 months. Their pharmacy will continue to provide prescription services to all TRICARE beneficiaries.
  • Carbon Monoxide Safety: Turning the heat back on this fall? Take a moment to think about carbon monoxide safety. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can build up when fuel-burning appliances aren’t working or venting properly. As heating season begins: - Test your carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. - Have fireplaces, wood stoves, chimneys, and fuel-burning appliances checked and maintained. - Make sure vents and flues are clear and working properly. - Never use a grill, camp stove, or oven to heat your home. - Know the signs of CO exposure, including headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and confusion. Find more winter weather safety tips with www.thrive.islandcountywa.gov.
  • Septic Pumping. Pumping your septic system's tanks is vital to the lifespan of your system. The goal of pumping is to remove the solids, fats, oils, and grease from your tanks. A system that is not pumped regularly will eventually fail. What Happens If You Don't Pump? - Solids accumulate and can make their way out to the drain field – leading to premature failure. - Can experience a backflow of sewage into household drains. How Often Should You Pump Your Tanks? - When solids/grease make up for 30% of the tank’s capacity. This depends on the size of your tank and overall use. What Behaviors Impact Pumping Frequency? - Using a garbage disposal. - Letting food waste go down the drain. - Using non-septic-friendly toilet paper. - Increased use - more people in the house. To hire a licensed septic professional, please visit our website at https://www.islandcountywa.gov/672/Homeowner-Support
• I attended a meeting last night on shoreline management and learned of two upcoming informational meetings on El Niño that you might be interested in, both featuring Dr. Ian Miller, Washington Sea Grant’s coastal hazards specialist working out of Peninsula College in Port Angeles.
  • On Tuesday, November 10 from 11 am – 12 pm online, three coastal experts will talk about what this year’s El Niño means for coastal communities in the Pacific Northwest. This discussion is sponsored by the Coastal Hazards Resilience Network and anyone can view and join. For more information and to register: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/3f7a3615-6204-4e34-809b-d61c4b6cb879@11d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog.
  • On Thursday, November 19 from 6 – 8 pm at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, Sound Water Stewards is sponsoring their first event in a new lecture series program that is free and open to the public and members alike: A Sea Level Rise Update for Washington State and the Influence of Low Pressure and El Niño/Kelvin Wave Events. For more information, go here: https://soundwaterstewards.org/event/new-sws-lecture-series/. Tickets are Free but Reservations are Required for this event! Please go to https://ticketstripe.com/sws-sea-level-rise-update to RSVP for this event.
• Island Senior Resources: Halloween Pancake Breakfast tomorrow (Saturday) morning! Wear a costume and enter the costume contest. Donations welcome. Gluten-free options available. Saturday October 31, 9 – 11 am, at ISR Bayview Center, 14594 WA-525 Langley.
• I’m zipping around in my boot now like an old pro and am determined to return to my normal meetings with citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland on Monday, December 7, at 3 pm. Hope you can join us.

Melanie

I received an email this week from Puget Sound Energy, telling me: PSE strengthens grid for stormy weather, urges customers to prepare as clocks fall back.

“We don’t control the sun, but we pretend we do twice a year.”  ~anonymous

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Please send along ideas and feedback. You can e-mail me at district1@islandcountywa.gov

It is an honor to serve you, 
Melanie Bacon
Island County Commissioner, Dist. 1

district1@islandcountywa.gov
(360)679-7354

1 NE 7th St.
Coupeville, WA 98239