[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6302621,"mediaKeyId","2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf","parentId",2477106,"title","County manager briefs council on potential federal funding freezes and local program exposure","audioSeconds",299,"startMs",2766000,"endMs",3065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf&start=2766&end=3065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf/thumbnail_2766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302621/San-Juan-County/Washington/County-manager-briefs-council-on-potential-federal-funding-freezes-and-local-program-exposure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302621-366e02c0c337365b6203c5df3a3b1849/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134822&Signature=o3qqVa7BzrMM~CMSXAng8rk0comJI1Ajz4khui27DxvAmBNWYpcC2zl-UMR4tq8~lGkYWCuzJ7a4rmJ1SR2H1momNwML2x7tQ9Zh4f6eHNFBYAiRnUa6NUfLCm~XbZ1F48b6wgYTpxnRaYtJ-bCFVL4Frn-za3Y7mpQ2ywih0lkaLUNC4whIFIqs2~yrQ9~CpcrXI-rTO~CZgqGKNvKXO-g-tRc1vlomHj6BKiRHxseEoyMpADbfxPiVXhqUzlZ8Hp21tq4P81gaIYPnl5gha17KfsM8mkI26-NU9b2ULzTMn~GO4Lt2g6fNjwBrMyDXHE2JYn87BVVarFd8T2iwZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County, WA","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","San Juan County Manager Sally Hudson updated the County Council on Feb. 25 about federal actions and memos over the last several weeks that briefly halted some federal payments and the knock‑on risks for county programs.

Hudson summarized the timeline: an early‑January executive order at the federal level directed agency spending freezes; the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo implementing that pause; courts then issued judicial stays and memos were rescinded at points during January. Hudson said the executive order remains in place and the pause/resume sequencing has caused uncertainty across agencies. She said a deferred‑resignation program and a wave of notices affecting probationary federal employees have led to staffing reductions across many federal departments, with knock‑on effects for state pass‑through funds.

Hudson asked county departments to inventory programs that depend on federal pass‑through or direct grants. She reported department findings for the council:

- Emergency Management (DEM) — approximately $160,000 in active federal awards/state pass‑throughs that support radios, training (including a $9,000 HAZMAT training line), mitigation planning (about $100,000 toward a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan update). DEM is a small office (about 1.25 FTEs), so even modest federal cuts would strain baseline operations.

- Health & Community Services — roughly $700,000 in federal grant funding annually plus about $90,000 in Medicaid match; those funds support WIC, vaccine work, SNAP‑Ed, prevention, senior services and emergency preparedness staffing. Hudson said many state pass‑throughs rely on federal dollars and that some state officials are looking to preserve services but face their own budget shortfalls.

- Other departments noted potential exposure: victim‑advocate funding in the prosecutor’s office, child‑support subgrants (about $40,000), environmental stewardship and derelict‑vessel programs that rely heavily on federal and state grants.

Hudson cautioned none of these programs had been cut as of Feb. 25 but asked the council to monitor potential risks and consider contingency planning, noting that even small federal grants can be material to small county programs. She said the county is tracking judicial actions and program notices and will return with more detailed local estimates if the federal situation changes.

Council members asked for follow‑up detail by department lines (local funding shares and contingency options) and discussed local advocacy and potential legislative remedies at the state level; members also urged careful communication to avoid creating unnecessary fear among staff while preparing practical contingency plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Regular Session Meeting - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","San Juan County Manager Sally Hudson updated the County Council on Feb. 25 about federal actions and memos over the last several weeks that briefly halted some federal payments and the knock‑on risks for county programs.","taxTitle","San Juan County, Washington","taxId",72708,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302631,"San Juan County explores interlocal and in‑house options after AG opinion ends prosecutor‑coroner role",302,1563000,1865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf&start=1563&end=1865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf/thumbnail_1563000.jpg","/articles/6302631/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-explores-interlocal-and-inhouse-options-after-AG-opinion-ends-prosecutorcoroner-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302631-33894d2185d56d6cd630c6bbf0085b1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134822&Signature=P3I32xjKsdQN4KWZmjJxEMHwf6M2gxCdYEY0aVm1gPnlNwUchT9gdFYtiIKPcHxbnbORXrwxg95fTLoJLHwNQuWNjs-embris~JqKEzg~u9Uzf4BhQhcMn2nMiiYzsARWoE8NmVDKi2hquXIK3HA7ECZxo6Q~zcTGTboL--b61PgHBHNzw9MSS57b3cC7-Q3rCLycWjEE0ZXUvWv4cWmPU3xffqHTWF5dRRz64T--OLsH6l13~dAALRQ3BuoeEVE555Jefd0YBDr9CuCBA2ltaZWMsVqg4YM-z18E9AEWqiRI~YWAI~7cOQjXwp2QLpylePsNvrbejoFhyekMer6wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County officials told the County Council on Feb. 25 that the county is pursuing two parallel paths to replace prosecutorial coroner services after an attorney general opinion found prosecutors should not serve as coroner.

County Manager Sally Hudson said staff are pursuing (1) an interlocal agreement with another county to provide professional coroner services and (2) an internal staffing model that would train existing county employees to meet the statutory medical‑legal training requirement. Hudson asked the council to continue to direct staff to evaluate both options because the training timeline and contract negotiations are time sensitive.

Hudson said the AG opinion issued in 2024 requires a change and that the county appointed an interim coroner in December 2024. She said the forensic‑investigative training required to function as a coroner must be completed within 12 months of appointment and is being offered March 17–20 and again in mid‑September. The registration cost quoted to council was $550 per person (not including ferry or lodging). Hudson said she has offered to pay training and travel for county staff who volunteer to be trained so the county will have internal options if an interlocal cannot be negotiated in time.

Council members reported strong internal interest. Hudson said several department units and individual employees have expressed willingness either to provide interim support or to pursue long‑term coroner duties; some departments offered multi‑person coverage. Hudson said standing up a fully staffed, 24‑hour coroner department would have substantially higher personnel costs (staff estimated previously in the low‑to‑mid hundreds of thousands of dollars for a staffed position with deputies), though final figures will require formal budgeting and job‑description work.

The county has reached out to neighboring counties. Hudson said Snohomish County recently reintegrated coroner services in‑house and was not available to assist; Skagit County has expressed interest in exploring an interlocal arrangement and has agreed to a site visit. Hudson said interlocal contracts will need explicit terms for set rates and variable transportation costs because any remote provider would cross water to reach San Juan County.

Hudson asked the council for direction to continue both tracks; council members voiced support for pursuing both the interlocal option and internal training so the county could rely on one if the other failed to materialize. Council members also thanked the interim coroner, Tamara Green, and noted that the current interim arrangement imposes heavy workload on a single contractor and is not a sustainable long‑term model.

Staff said they will return with an update after the March training cycle and after a site visit with the Skagit coroner. Hudson said a budget amendment is likely once the county identifies preferred options and cost estimates.

What happens next: staff will continue talks with Skagit County about an interlocal agreement, solicit and support internal staff to attend the March forensic training, and return to council with more detailed cost estimates and recommended next steps.","San Juan County officials told the County Council on Feb. 25 that the county is pursuing two parallel paths to replace prosecutorial coroner services after an attorney general opinion found prosecutors should not serve as coroner.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302626,"McKay Harbour Road options narrowed; county told to commit up to ~$2.5–2.9M for federal grant to move road inland",420,6780000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf&start=6780&end=7200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf/thumbnail_6780000.jpg","/articles/6302626/San-Juan-County/Washington/McKay-Harbour-Road-options-narrowed-county-told-to-commit-up-to-2529M-for-federal-grant-to-move-road-inland","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302626-38113f6b3a28a6c0c9ed3dc90815dcf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134822&Signature=n1QaVs-SeIsWBZXOr7CiwKd42Qswuh3F7Z5WvNm~jGbr2vxo2o777tsgxh283ahSUa7iLSJmCA0qLIunix61X5PWvNgLsDBcPaUekcqdvXznDGTaV6zoDcvah24hBbQsCQb9gzczXobB67ja2n7RapNVNtMUTDCZK8a-KHfg1RMxGgATYFc2RIMceou-vQHXWhatClPW0zD3ZUdn-MvkiYWlEO5b7vp72zVulWpoP1l-rgTECQfts0AbLpFdYKhV2w~VAlNDyR1gZbXPKk~93k8xi8YeVOfXr3GAZqjmZU0yA3akOin9cXmkL6w0g78gbj1TuWkTZWjWLJEFKej0rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County Public Works presented an update on Feb. 25 on the McKay Harbour Road project on Lopez Island and outlined requirements the county would have to meet for Western Federal Lands to proceed under a previously awarded grant.

Colin Huntamer, director of public works, recapped decades of shoreline armoring, erosion repairs and earlier grant efforts. He said a 2019 concept to construct a new inland alignment (funded in part by Western Federal Lands) remained feasible only if the county satisfied three conditions: secure necessary right‑of‑way from at least two private owners, provide off‑site wetland mitigation (consultant estimate roughly six acres of mitigation), and allocate the local funding share the federal team now estimates at about $2.5–$2.9 million. Huntamer said project cost estimates rose to about $5.9 million in recent reappraisals.

Huntamer described efforts to locate acceptable mitigation sites owned by public entities; staff identified a Land Bank parcel at Richardson Marsh as the only clear in‑kind option, but that would consume a sizable portion (roughly a quarter) of that parcel. Out‑of‑kind mitigation remains technically possible but would require further negotiation with regulatory agencies; Huntamer said regulators expect the county to demonstrate in‑kind mitigation is not viable before permitting out‑of‑kind options.

Huntamer said the inland alignment would remove the existing coastal roadway and could convert the present paved area into trail or natural space, but that would reduce parking at the county park and require careful design. He warned the county faces strong regulatory constraints (wetland buffers, mitigation acreage ratios) and private‑property complexities including a privately maintained access road whose change of status could create additional legal and access issues.

Council members said the project is emblematic of broader shoreline challenges across the county, with delayed action having driven up costs. Members asked staff to return with detailed financing scenarios, including whether REET or other capital funds could reimburse the County Road Fund for an advance payment, and to outline how this project would fit with the county’s broader managed‑retreat policy discussions. No formal vote was taken; staff will return with financial options and a recommended path forward.","Public works briefed council on a longstanding shoreline erosion project at McKay Harbour (Lopez Island). Federal partners require the county to secure right‑of‑way, fund wetland mitigation and commit roughly $2.5–$2.9 million of local match if the county wants Western Federal Lands to proceed on a previously awarded grant for a new inland road.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302610,"Votes at a glance: San Juan County Council actions on Feb. 25, 2025",5867,93000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf&start=93&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf/thumbnail_93000.jpg","/articles/6302610/San-Juan-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-San-Juan-County-Council-actions-on-Feb-25-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302610-3c893046037796b5f1ccb1fd9433c326/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134822&Signature=Ja-Kj1Ov4hIY4oNsKDxVLQWPUYoqRE5t9kQIzmKT8EdvcGC413~y3cP7rpP2DZQcMLoHWS24j~xeleyGMdlgwvOVpleiV504Db946cn~ja1RIOgRobLoFov3wpRXfUTVUtLx-uyicEgZgr-RiKKMIqJIQ3PC3DwmlKfIaZc1gR4QXidEM4lDYS8vte1XgUwyStphl28d0rH31O91nbprt7BtQhtuq0b~wrx6dPZ3vlU6p9KR--FSBIvrl73rPnV6OKTShnvDBkTbkusJaOa-PDhWrXTDU2sW9NNTDObNeuB6cnDLYq1ZPYOhAXz-BGphnkqE-yT79o6yiUv9fIPcvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 25 meeting the San Juan County Council recorded the following formal actions during the public session. All outcomes below are reported from the public transcript; the meeting used voice votes for these items and did not record roll‑call tallies in the transcript excerpt.

Minutes

- Motion: Approve minutes for Jan. 27 and Feb. 10, 2025.
- Mover: Council member Paulson (moved on the record).
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote (motion carries).

Consent agenda

- Motion: Approve consent agenda for Feb. 25, 2025.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote (aye).

Law and Justice Council membership (second touch; set public hearing)

- Motion: Set a public hearing on April 15, 2025, to consider approval of an ordinance amending San Juan County Code (2.10.09) to add additional members to the Law and Justice Council (two new member categories: juvenile corrections counterpart and county behavioral‑health representative).
- Mover: motion made and seconded on the record.
- Outcome: Motion passed by voice vote; hearing scheduled for 2025‑04‑15.

Payment to Washington State Ferries (Orcas Landing improvements)

- Motion: Approve payment from the County Road Fund to Washington State Ferries for Orcas Landing improvements (proportional share for completed work; funds will be captured by a future budget amendment).
- Mover: Council member Fuller (moved); seconded by Council member Paulson.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote (motion carries). Auditor follow‑up and potential REET reimbursement were discussed; the County Road Fund will be used to pay the invoice and staff will seek reimbursement through capital committee processes.

Notes

- The transcript records voice approval but does not include formal roll‑call tallies or recorded individual votes for the items above in the excerpt. Other agenda items were discussed but either did not require formal council action at this meeting (coroner services discussion, McKay Harbour Road update, federal budget briefing, RFP release) or will return for later actions (McKay Harbour Road funding decision, coroner services staffing or interlocal agreement).","The County Council approved routine minutes and the consent agenda, set a public hearing for a Law and Justice Council ordinance amendment, and approved a payment to Washington State Ferries. No recorded roll‑call tallies were taken in the public transcript; voice votes were recorded as \"aye.\"",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302616,"County posts emergency rapid‑response RFPs for interim water transportation; proposals due March 14",219,9231000,9450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf&start=9231&end=9450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477106-39d85371ce9b0fe4979f2732d48913bf/thumbnail_9231000.jpg","/articles/6302616/San-Juan-County/Washington/County-posts-emergency-rapidresponse-RFPs-for-interim-water-transportation-proposals-due-March-14","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302616-f8ef899e28e18feca1baf612fddef324/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134822&Signature=o3MEv2Rekuc6t6kvCINckCjhEUze4YDWI9D3k0lQ1sHmaTEMsg-xzleFwCXF5ZvVJzc~b~LTEJdsktv~dvdyM989i3OKeR1UonST5EtJV~OrFN16Pq-Q~UbQml2AOTzxSbG3gxTxLzrAkXs-uNFwbOUyKN9J1eqeY6qQ~3RaIhLL5U6JSwwoWU2Mhv2hB4FI6kzQcSaaurvlmLJP2aT6ODyM5m7enntRwfh9qEu5sz1V~IoDN73G4JSkfSx2hwrP2Vg~A2oxF9Ua~2idY9s7MzhCLqswK~~AT1VQDyaUurUV3N-cuKUl9FzxAar0T4eU0u10lM1vKPlBaXs7LE-QrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County staff announced on Feb. 25 that the county has released three requests for proposals (RFPs) for interim emergency rapid‑response water transportation and has published a consolidated Engage page with the solicitation materials.

County staff said the RFPs and a statement of work were published on the county’s procurement/Engage page and were distributed to several local boat operators. Proposals are due by close of business on Friday, March 14. County staff will accept printed proposals in person that day and begin evaluation thereafter.

Health and Community Services Director Mark Tompkins and County Manager Sally Hudson said they have fielded questions from potential operators, have worked with risk management on insurance requirements, and are seeking at least one viable interim operator quote while the county continues other longer‑term planning. Hudson said staff will share proposals with council and recommended contractors will be evaluated on operational capacity as well as cost; these procurements are not strictly low‑bid processes because operational capability and regulatory compliance are material evaluation factors.

Tompkins and Hudson thanked staff and community partners who assisted in drafting the documents and asked interested operators or interested community members to consult the Engage page for procurement documents and press releases. Staff expect to convene an internal evaluation team immediately after the March 14 deadline and will return to council with a recommended interim contract if one is identified.","San Juan County released three RFPs and an Engage page to solicit interim water‑transport and rapid‑response proposals; staff expects proposals after the March 14 deadline and will evaluate operational quotes for possible interim contracts while longer‑term solutions are negotiated.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County manager briefs council on potential federal funding freezes and local program exposure

San Juan County explores interlocal and in‑house options after AG opinion ends prosecutor‑coroner role

McKay Harbour Road options narrowed; county told to commit up to ~$2.5–2.9M for federal grant to move road inland

Votes at a glance: San Juan County Council actions on Feb. 25, 2025

County posts emergency rapid‑response RFPs for interim water transportation; proposals due March 14