[{"_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",6097293,"mediaKeyId","2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1","parentId",2828507,"title","San Juan County hears state budget outlook; council coordinates testimony on Mosquito Fleet Act","audioSeconds",1707,"startMs",1858000,"endMs",3565000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1&start=1858&end=3565","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1/thumbnail_1858000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097293/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-hears-state-budget-outlook-council-coordinates-testimony-on-Mosquito-Fleet-Act","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097293-82ef08e4184969e235a3f95f8b1a94f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953010&Signature=iosJ~zeG9OE-qxtK4nigfRvmr34WvIXhaEkLR3MxhlSxifVGI~SU0a2gq-i4-bChhdOf1D~59SGVzbTYZvabBl4jSds-TvoR3pci3tdQyX7Uz9LE36AVJwB8Xnz2iBLONK~YdzRLhZUhaEADAPkik8dWILgvf-GHTOE-JHC801W6D4coQVNmyfKgQj8nilBOCShFxklFmZTc0-UDjSwUbEDNpKhzx0OgIaAtJh-OeKI0RPmohiaBcu8hLSNqH-ZYneQG430XY9Bcg4QIg0oFs00ZBWe8bs9TMJsglDV~Nrovv2eKlGAiqZOYi8CtIlOtHhX2E~LfUS0-JLm856L1fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County, WA","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Josh, a legislative staff member, briefed the San Juan County Council on the status of the 2025 Washington Legislature and transportation funding, and councilmembers discussed who should testify in support of the Mosquito Fleet Act. \"We have 41 days left,\" Josh said, describing the schedule for policy committee deadlines and the imminent release of house and senate budget proposals.

Josh told the council the house transportation budget would likely be written with no new revenue and would therefore cut or delay projects, while the senate version may include a revenue bill and look better for ferry funding. He urged the council to consider testifying in hearings next Monday and Tuesday if local priorities appear in either chamber's transportation budget and offered to testify on the county's behalf.

Councilmembers weighed public testimony on House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act. Councilmember Paulson said she planned to testify and listed key points she intended to make, including protective measures for southern resident killer whales and the act's potential for nimble, small‑vessel service as a partial stopgap to Washington State Ferries fleet needs. Councilmember Fuller said she and Paulson had been contacted by Representative Nance and Victoria Compton of the EDC and that she planned to present complementary testimony highlighting local pilot projects and recent county work on passenger‑only service.

Council discussion emphasized strategic messaging. Josh recommended reserving public criticism until the final budget language is clear, suggesting the county \"stay silent publicly and work very hard behind the scenes\" if the proposals do not include the county's priorities. Councilmembers agreed it would be useful to have a draft follow‑up letter ready early next week that could be adjusted depending on the budgets' specifics.

Why it matters: The county is seeking continued funding for inner‑island ferry service and a third shift on the Anacortes run; any changes to transportation revenue at the state level could directly affect local service levels. Councilmembers also noted the Mosquito Fleet Act has broad Salish Sea support and could create new options for local ferry or passenger‑only transit.

Looking ahead: Josh said he would circulate budget details as soon as they publish next week and coordinate with the council on whether to testify or send written letters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Work Session Meeting - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Josh, a legislative staff member, briefed the San Juan County Council on the status of the 2025 Washington Legislature and transportation funding, and councilmembers discussed who should testify in support of the Mosquito Fleet Act.","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},6097275,"Council cancels March hearing on vacation rental ordinance and reschedules for April 15",59,8499000,8558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1&start=8499&end=8558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1/thumbnail_8499000.jpg","/articles/6097275/San-Juan-County/Washington/Council-cancels-March-hearing-on-vacation-rental-ordinance-and-reschedules-for-April-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097275-ce919d55893c52483bca8e79664d3bea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953010&Signature=BbmEMtE6uhh1kWZXEdrXWPeqIiAd-9NoaimTgITee9LKDcjd0h-pTwVdlOeN8U1kErIWmtDK2Ja4gs8jPOdELI7RRcmnaTbBxd9gkFTVmfEWhNHTN5n5wG2WWAEqTnj4UQAvaSd4~yjn08QBqrXQJRfX~RNf4v0WpzEP5Gej-lCCd4TIqzLFf0JsfKHJ4E8aDV3JUp-MKFt3pKX4c2P5~m4nwDEyfRRvVY~464DB6XCkoBrB8epebrEHPSKYjMz3NYr2NJEfaYkcLKofVvX-~cU40rr1eq7SDIdxWcyA~~NRnttHgTXsbWcQHA60TawMB5PC4rXbqXfnpNypTh~FMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County Council voted to cancel the public hearing originally scheduled for March 18, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. concerning an ordinance about vacation rental permits in East Sound Village commercial and Lopez commercial designations and to reschedule the hearing for April 15, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. Clerk Sally Rogers read the motion to cancel and reschedule; a councilmember moved and another seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote, with members answering \"Aye.\"

Why it matters: The ordinance involves amendments to multiple land‑use code sections (San Juan County Code sections referenced in the motion) and a public hearing will allow community input on vacation rental permitting in affected commercial designations.

Next steps: The public hearing will be noticed for April 15, 2025 at 9:15 a.m.; staff will proceed with continued project preparation and notification to affected parties.","Council voted to cancel the March 18 public hearing on proposed ordinance amendments for vacation rental permits in East Sound Village and Lopez commercial zones and set a new hearing date of April 15, 2025 at 9:15 a.m.",{"_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},6097280,"Council reviews first round of comp plan updates: governance, water, historic preservation and economic development",1159,3656000,4815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1&start=3656&end=4815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1/thumbnail_3656000.jpg","/articles/6097280/San-Juan-County/Washington/Council-reviews-first-round-of-comp-plan-updates-governance-water-historic-preservation-and-economic-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097280-04c688501d509fab89b39c12381ef45b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953010&Signature=Od5BWWOeWyoE5fpqCYTL-raOndVNKC8AArrqY0nP71mAeLLRgeivZIO7xZeKBEMduK4GuMgRcRUX53ta9WIEWZtPDXQSZeEVlZswcqOxIQQgWhLmbJ5d~~crlP5fwF2rjEgTkpsrquAN~j62AEw3E49mno~rWoRctOdh2qDZ0HSW7WdknjhITKsiz60idkLhTYcQThJbAkUYpD8O0B4qyE0xfX0vly1LsKBRhdShH29gq23KQ67BoP88lJieQqtZTi3bLDzC-AWhgOwazcyzH1EbQ1lXRHN9FC9~T28adf1QoHeOsJImaTyTjCzbRo2pfRXHAn4g8xOW6xl8o3vKqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sofia Casa, long‑range planner in the county Department of Community Development, presented the first round of draft amendments to several comprehensive plan elements and outlined the public outreach and review timeline. \"I'm here today with a few elements for you to take a first pass at,\" Casa said, explaining the county has worked with consultants and advisory committees since October and will bring updated drafts back to the Planning Commission in May.

Key points in Casa's presentation included a new governance policy to comply with House Bill 1717 on tribal participation, updates and reformatting in the water resources element (including new program language and a proposed reorganization of goals and policies), two new policies in the historic and archaeological preservation element (including an explicit reference to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), and modest edits in the economic development element focused on clarity and a proposed new policy asking that power and infrastructure planning account for rapidly rising demand such as data center and AI growth.

Councilmembers and staff debated how aspirational policies in the comp plan should translate into implementable actions and who would be responsible for follow‑through. Councilmember Fuller and others urged prioritization and consolidation to avoid creating a \"wish list\" of unfunded mandates; Casa and county staff said some policies reflect existing departmental programs (for example, Environmental Health work tied to groundwater monitoring) and that staff will work with committees to refine priorities and implementation language. Several councilmembers asked that tribal engagement language remain consistent across elements and that staff coordinate with agencies such as the conservation district on technical programs like the Voluntary Stewardship Program.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan shapes long‑term land use, environmental protection and economic policy. This first pass focuses on aligning the plan with recent state requirements, current committee input and new data while the county's consultant assistance remains available.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate committee and public comments, return revised drafts to the Planning Commission in May, work on official maps in the summer, and then bring recommendations to council later in the year; council members were invited to submit specific wording edits by email during the drafting window.","Planning staff presented proposed amendments to governance, water resources, historic and archaeological preservation, and economic development elements; council raised questions about priorities, implementation and consistent tribal engagement language.",{"_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},6097285,"Bay Head Killebrew culvert replacement awarded; FEMA funding remains uncertain",414,8585000,8999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1&start=8585&end=8999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1/thumbnail_8585000.jpg","/articles/6097285/San-Juan-County/Washington/Bay-Head-Killebrew-culvert-replacement-awarded-FEMA-funding-remains-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097285-c22f8d9eff4e6808e14bbab0fc97ee6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953010&Signature=eDW~5iCAv~zSmGREkip9BbLgRr3JnatdeHg6VVkf789GpMDhkX2YS~kTbe9h3hXGqzgA3G0CS30GV4GpNkGeFT191ofULQbeqbc4FKxd1ORgAKLACgd5j25C2lztWuU0tdn5PaWZKKGi4fGd0rF5wVMBlpsLkBHGt9V4nuSj9fXoFMV2Rhx6hG5X5JzfS-hxwqsMMEChj1MX0mXsqH3GIz68GGJUYd3ysFRwHd9mVneNEsGV7~5zmhPxQsA~w89m-GFnxc8qFlQeEAyWRBUO1SwHrg9~HGqR25YzNOAnxAQh5Rm8eMk8x2sSM0B9rgWl6u45~ajzfkrupo6Z0CImVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tyler Davis, project manager with San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship, updated the council on the Bay Head Killebrew culvert replacement procurement and budget. He said three bids were received and the low bidder, Tire Construction, bid $1,180,000 for the project under option 1 (a full nine‑day road closure). \"As expected, option 1 was a little bit less expensive than option 2,\" Davis said.

Davis said the contractor chose a start window after Labor Day and that the county will post signage, mail a second postcard, and post notices at the market and post office to inform residents. Public Works has regraded Dolphin Bay Road in advance of the planned detour. Davis said the county is coordinating emergency services access plans and will continue that work with the fire district.

On funding, Davis presented the FEMA Public Assistance award summary showing a federal share of approximately $1.6 million, a state share and a county share of roughly $88,000 each, and said anticipated project costs are close to the award total. He warned that FEMA reimbursements remain at risk and noted the county and the Clean Water Utility will split the county share and any small overage; if FEMA funding were rescinded, the remaining project cost would fall to county funds and Clean Water Utility in roughly equal shares (about $778,000 each). \"If the FEMA funding were to be rescinded, then that total remaining cost ... can be picked up by each fund,\" Davis said.

Why it matters: The culvert replaces stormwater infrastructure along a local route; scheduling the project after Labor Day reduces peak season disruption. However, the project's financing depends heavily on FEMA reimbursement; county staff said they can complete the work even if FEMA reverses funding but that would place a substantial burden on county funds.

Next steps: Staff will finalize pre‑construction meetings, continue outreach on closures and detours, coordinate emergency services access with the fire district, and proceed to order precast culvert sections and schedule work.","Public works and Environmental Stewardship staff reported a low bid of $1,180,000 for replacement; work will use a full closure option after Labor Day and FEMA reimbursements under the project's Public Assistance award are not fully secured.",{"_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},6097288,"Emergency management director urges council to keep contact info handy, outlines EOC role and training",497,429000,926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1&start=429&end=926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828507-03a350c270193cd539c197ed39b12cd1/thumbnail_429000.jpg","/articles/6097288/San-Juan-County/Washington/Emergency-management-director-urges-council-to-keep-contact-info-handy-outlines-EOC-role-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097288-8074092c91f4779227e60e677a1a4a71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770953010&Signature=Go6NLP3usmqLT8ICDpUXu4Ms~bw-JfHoAkwFXe~3MVubVv3nF1c5QOlx1eK-b51gFnqudql0VyJS0rDuxXOM-1U0T-hSkTj6CVYdAe7urVrlr9ebUC3FRxXXC808TwcdCYjKYdSrUu7OJ8V-3UrBv6SgiTm9sPpRWpVxmEyTe21zFZrIBEQXBwFFyL6BR3wkvLApOjxd57k2zAWCHuK9C0P1U7nfGV5nC0W3joAEoImDmsxDf56bYPBv~Q2WvmUe68fx-CKbhBeDHzBSoJWzOA1gfcyzwI0G6PSY1JMlI0MUf6SGJBvL9ImOqAY3qF-Zj8rd0k4Lx6HFXW-c2cctSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brendan Cowan, San Juan County Emergency Management director, told the council the department is a small team that coordinates large‑scale incident response and communications and urged council members to keep his and his deputy's contact information readily available. \"You need to know how to reach us,\" Cowan said, stressing that elected officials benefit from timely, accurate briefings during incidents.

Cowan outlined the department's responsibilities: maintaining plans, staffing the Emergency Operations Center at the fairgrounds, coordinating warning and alert messages, and facilitating communications among fire, EMS, schools and hospitals during incidents that exceed routine response capacity. He described the incident command system as the standard framework the county uses for organizing response and said the EOC has a line connecting council in a policy role to the top of the incident command structure.

Cowan proposed multiple engagement options for the council: one‑on‑one familiarization about ICS, a short 20–30 minute basics briefing in council session, participation in county exercises such as a planned oil spill drill and other tabletop exercises, and public talks on individual preparedness (the next county talk scheduled April 17 at the Grange). Councilmembers supported an ICS familiarization and discussed potential exercises and trainings so elected officials can operate effectively at a high level in major incidents.

Why it matters: The Emergency Management department coordinates cross‑agency response in events that exceed normal local capacity. Cowan said a primary goal is to ensure elected officials are informed and can support public messaging and policy direction without impeding operational response.

Next steps: Cowan will follow up to schedule briefings and training options, and staff will circulate registration and outreach materials for the April preparedness talk.","Brendan Cowan, county Emergency Management director, briefed the council on the Emergency Operations Center, incident command system, outreach and training needs, and invited council familiarity exercises and ICS training.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Juan County hears state budget outlook; council coordinates testimony on Mosquito Fleet Act

Council cancels March hearing on vacation rental ordinance and reschedules for April 15

Council reviews first round of comp plan updates: governance, water, historic preservation and economic development

Bay Head Killebrew culvert replacement awarded; FEMA funding remains uncertain

Emergency management director urges council to keep contact info handy, outlines EOC role and training