[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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",6201964,"mediaKeyId","3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd","parentId",3788389,"title","San Juan County weighs modest local role in America250 commemoration","audioSeconds",2217,"startMs",161000,"endMs",2378000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=161&end=2378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6201964/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-weighs-modest-local-role-in-America250-commemoration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201964-2d9d3489a342cd83948679c106a71c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=k8h-UBiTWShsV7YEOquUxXRTXxcJ4vr2mE9sgu4drw2T2GX3WBgKFQqh70~Jc-lbpyGGXIA9k2UUSOgI9h8Vcp0yoamtoi~9GtLGVYbfb89E-mmobYhOMopBwjbgu7cVQom88iK5OBR0tKSEz5RQ0J~H8fooR11HN548wM6GCgbbo8thDeYz2nRlpFRiSR5gVbKC-qoJpjr7HQUBKANjOBx9k0YtmqwbHfSi4KKd1HrCOu4W75VnNWPTXcquyGsce4jrED-NPvd9B3vKMpLUGWBu2LL4gpIhQokW0bTEr8YBSv2tORd02PMpoV9PAbi-oLYln1UqaaVxpFlcRzcRmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County, WA","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","San Juan County councilors discussed a possible county role in America250, the nationwide commemoration marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, and directed staff to continue outreach and return with options and budget information.

The matter came before the San Juan County Council on June 9, 2025, when Erin Andrews, the county communications coordinator, briefed councilors on a request from the Washington State America250 planning committee for optional forms of participation. The state committee suggested four buckets: listing the county as a partner on the state site and sharing assets, creating a local commemorative planning committee, using an America250 theme at the county fair, and hosting events tied to specific dates such as Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day and Constitution Day (Sept. 17).

Councilors said they were open to small, values‑aligned actions rather than large, ceremonial events. Council member Paulson said he had reviewed the America250 website and wanted to know “what is the driving force?” and noted concern about imagery: “the thing I see when I bring up this website is a is a advertisement for a military parade.” Council member Fuller said he supported civic‑education events and added, “I always support things like law day.” Andrews told the council the state committee has emphasized recognizing tribal sovereignty in its messaging and that county staff planned to consult tribal engagement staff and reach out to tribal partners before the council commits to anything.

Councilors and staff discussed prior county anniversary activity — small participation in parades and commemorative stickers created during the county’s 150th observance — and emphasized clarity about intent, tone and resources before any commitment. Andrews said the county would consult museums, libraries, chambers of commerce, the League of Women Voters and the county fair board and report back with more concrete, resource‑sensitive options; she suggested a focus on Constitution Day programming as a likely fit for county participation.

No formal motion or vote occurred. The council’s expressed direction was to seek more information: staff will continue community and tribal outreach, collect cost and sponsor information, and return with a menu of modest participation options and any budget implications ahead of the next budget cycle.

The county emphasized that participation is optional and underscored the need to coordinate messaging with tribal partners and local organizations before adopting any county‑led activities. Andrews said she would bring concrete options later in 2025 for the council to consider.

Looking ahead, the council asked staff to prioritize consultation with tribal engagement staff, the League of Women Voters and the veterans advisory board and to avoid directing the fair board while keeping them informed, leaving the final decision on fair theming to that board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Work Session Meeting - June 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","San Juan County councilors discussed a possible county role in America250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and directed staff to continue outreach and return with options and budget information.","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},6201959,"San Juan County staff outline draft language access plan; council asks for budget and department feedback",1740,2426000,4166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=2426&end=4166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_2426000.jpg","/articles/6201959/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-staff-outline-draft-language-access-plan-council-asks-for-budget-and-department-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201959-a519775f6e88fc4060b07c849a24aeb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=XuLXENvMnFYuKqRuvi3apeDQgdjLQQM8oWQXvtI2oYgkLAxP4rKjbnWuhexuErxRP0Iy4rdD99YZ5d27d7FGaY7NTQUq1r2oHhipOBUtIWXGG5Svl7BYbwkJwnYaIxM1UfG-QhyxYHaabWgM7cKXu-p26I8Dye0vpEXd7U1zUz~ETu~k3slsab4R8C3mwwyyeImINu~kWRf6OklzWNAC65HwHIjdZv-xybS1LPPmzRnJuv7Y3lWvcLrqtmR9cosiuLQ~T87dBHZ3eVoV1wOLFCSuP0EPzmmLuL0dgJ3v2FmJhIKm~sTnAO1GSFh6nhR9SUf6V2vtJWjzI1tqX8g9qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County communications and health staff gave the council a briefing on a draft countywide language access plan on June 9, 2025, and the council asked staff to return with implementation details and a budget request for the 2026 budget cycle.

Erin Andrews, San Juan County communications coordinator, and Kira Jahanfar, communications program coordinator for the health department, described the draft plan as a package that would include the plan itself, notices of language assistance, alternative communication formats (for example, live captions and universal signage), a library of translated vital documents and a complaint‑and‑resolution process. They told council the county triggers some Department of Justice language‑access reporting requirements because of its Spanish‑speaking population and that Spanish would be the initial priority for translated materials.

Andrews told the council the draft plan lays out a prework period through 2025 for departmental coordination and that staff plan to return for a budget ask before the upcoming budget cycle. She described a likely implementation timeline that would include developing contracts with interpretation and translation vendors, finalizing a list of vital documents for year‑one translation and launching services in 2026, then monitoring and evaluating the program into 2027. The health department currently uses LanguageLink for over‑the‑phone interpretation and has local interpreter lists for in‑person needs.

Council members asked about cost drivers, supply versus demand for in‑person interpreters and technical approaches such as QR codes or iPad access to translated web pages. Council member Fuller asked whether the county would prefer local interpreters for in‑person work and whether the program would use a hybrid approach; Kira Jahanfar and staff described a hybrid model combining contractor services for phone/video interpretation with local certified interpreters for in‑person needs. Council member Paulson asked whether the county plan is a policy or a plan; Andrews said statute and federal guidance require a plan and that the county may adopt a broader policy later if desired. Staff emphasized that the courts maintain their own, longer‑standing language programs and that the county plan is intended to be complementary.

The council directed staff to continue departmental and HR coordination, to factor language access into the county’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work and to return with departmental feedback and an anticipated budget figure so the council can consider funding in the next budget cycle. Staff said they will collect vendor quotes and bring cost estimates back to council for a budget decision.","San Juan County communications and health staff presented a draft countywide language access plan on June 9 and will return with departmental feedback and a proposed budget to support translation and interpretation services.",{"_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},6201939,"San Juan County food system plan finished; team asks council to retain comp‑plan policy and back implementation steps",2383,7719000,10102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=7719&end=10102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_7719000.jpg","/articles/6201939/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-food-system-plan-finished-team-asks-council-to-retain-compplan-policy-and-back-implementation-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201939-607a310d1b211150e39acdf912db2626/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=HIvfuFlv8s7XGp3JKRuC6ZVLXFS00Pw7cUW9HifwuFM~v8LVL7zkQ-Z8DUcvbXacA9wsflvzhbVJ8gMkpg3oHWW4AtsHE9GJaD1vKfYfV3kvdxcsV4q1dlvmQ3GYbjcHNBzfI6~6TniqNip4OtfMuK283k6TySCXeRm2M03NdM-Y5ovzoG9Ql3HpLNBKsUQS9gfV1VGYp24zLWdYJX~dj0MzPPQ3ay8BboF3Chqpa7Giguilp0wRcAwe5Ttk4TfsxmEcCoXlaym3lzEvwvAukcfo2Us5jEBXZqsf9YA9Lf5iKtHtSHCXjDlsrUpNm7niZW7OD5yI5As-YBt3sxNl4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County’s food system planning team presented a finished 10‑year food system plan to the County Council on June 9, 2025, and asked the council to preserve a proposed comprehensive‑plan climate policy (policy C4.6) and to consider actions that help move selected strategies from plan to practice.

Caitlin Leck, the county food‑system coordinator, said the plan is the product of extensive community engagement and organized five goals: scale up local food production; steward land and enhance ecosystems; ensure access to healthy food; reduce and transform waste; and grow community connections. Leck said the plan contains roughly 100 strategies and a 10‑year planning horizon (to 2035) and that staff will work with community organizations to distill the plan into tailored, organization‑level short lists for implementation.

The food system team urged the council to retain policy C4.6 in the draft comprehensive‑plan climate element. Leck said that policy reads in essence: support development of local food production, processing and storage infrastructure while implementing the San Juan County food system plan to enhance food security and climate‑resilient agriculture. The team identified county roles that would materially advance plan goals: continued support for the county land bank and land access efforts; backing local food‑access initiatives such as Fresh Bucks; establishing island composting infrastructure; and funding or sustaining staff positions that coordinate implementation activities (for example, the agricultural resources committee coordinator, SNAP‑Ed staff and WSU extension roles).

Council members welcomed the plan and asked about prioritization, alignment with the county comprehensive plan update, funding needs and short‑term actions that could be implemented quickly (for example, composting and food‑waste reductions). Council members asked staff to work with county departments (planning, public works, health, finance) to identify where multiple departments could collaborate on priorities and to return with suggested next steps and funding considerations. Staff noted recent state grants and community investments (including a Lopez Island food center award) that could be leveraged alongside county support.

No council formal action was taken at the meeting; the food system team said it will coordinate with county staff and the agricultural resources committee to prepare prioritized short lists for council consideration and to work on grant and budget strategies for implementation.","A community‑crafted 10‑year San Juan County food system plan was presented to the council; county staff and partners asked the council to keep a recommended climate‑policy reference (policy C4.6) and to consider supporting implementation through staffing, land‑access tools and pilot infrastructure.",{"_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},6201944,"Prosecutor reports progress on UDC code cleanup; staff planning beta testing before planning commission review",982,6557000,7539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=6557&end=7539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_6557000.jpg","/articles/6201944/San-Juan-County/Washington/Prosecutor-reports-progress-on-UDC-code-cleanup-staff-planning-beta-testing-before-planning-commission-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201944-c7abc1f56695f330e8fb491e35e0136f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=hnTRnJxcECb0Si8ES5tA0C4aeuf24cOSH65uXUG5BraARSC0GVKdUxXHNjNXR-T3XC7RAi-sM8CSjN5Wxuc4JOYliF4OaxXa62lYlRUWuOmmQcz27axx-V2docJFbdHDmZdWEgZU5kfaQI5g7ySyXyEsesCGrIyFRhr2k0NoGVKbjyY3iUlvqfcE1x8BAft5yrv2juzZPNrT7etW~tbv1RD1FBYgDU1Ro~Gwgg5Ns0mjOwPeyx1k3gEp7hj5aUpJkzndB~~yGZALeFLc0IRdh432n-KCIANkNxkbZLuBtcbDV1lQ9nNRSpPkyX8yW5KD97iH6UpnxedAMT-OJ-d8ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County’s prosecuting attorney, Amy Vera, told the County Council on June 9 that a consultant‑led code cleanup and reorganization is about halfway through its contracted budget and that staff will run a beta‑testing phase with planners before taking draft ordinances to the planning commission.

Vera said the project focuses on the Unified Development Code (UDC, Title 18) and on consolidating scattered rules. As part of the cleanup, the county proposes to incorporate remaining land‑use language from Title 16 into Title 18 and to create a new chapter that consolidates rules on density and dimensions so measurements and standards are consistent in one place rather than repeated across the code.

Vera emphasized the project’s intent: \"This version of the cleanup and reorganizing is not intended to have significant substantive changes,\" she said, but acknowledged that consolidating and eliminating inconsistent definitions or multiple measurement methods will have some substantive effects and will be called out explicitly in later drafts. Vera described a planned beta‑testing phase in which planning staff will apply the draft code to sample cases to find unintended consequences and fix implementation issues before the planning commission and public hearings.

Councilors asked about timing and about recent state law changes that affect growth‑management and subdivision processes. Vera said the consultant has made substantial progress and that the draft ordnances will go through the planning commission and return to council; deeper substantive policy changes (for example, housing density or other policy priorities) would be a separate subsequent work plan item in 2026.

The council did not adopt any ordinance at the June 9 meeting. Vera said staff will prioritize clear communication about substantive changes and will prepare specific summaries of areas that are changing so the public and affected stakeholders can review changes without wading through entire code chapters.","The county prosecuting attorney updated council on a code cleanup project that will reorganize land use regulations by incorporating remaining Title 16 provisions into the Unified Development Code (Title 18), add a consolidated chapter on density and dimensions, and run a beta test with planners; the consultant contract is about half spent.",{"_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},6201949,"Health department outlines opioid‑settlement spending plan; committee to issue RFP for treatment support",145,3458000,3603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=3458&end=3603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_3458000.jpg","/articles/6201949/San-Juan-County/Washington/Health-department-outlines-opioidsettlement-spending-plan-committee-to-issue-RFP-for-treatment-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201949-417992f9af44276f0a5c7e13f52c1cbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=kdRF2ZT~vD1aw9lufihAbOvLBeRxsRuT4PMJI3HJFqcg6rxVUsVMivhE4GrO11PimARd-oCsx9ntHbB~lVKT8Yx3SeIV7Rf7CAC2-DTOHNanaF8oAqGbchRMMq3fhQv1~0UwcRBGwmMCtpMRlDUncnAt5w7s6P2yYS6q97tQvx~q9DNYAuDUT5gMyznl5EH~8e95MNqCA4-Z8ulebbm4YmdDBE9xiYFdVouXFPYBi4RYkgA~VwXibAfY2lMWvP32kIu5UXV0Hcdlvq-XnB6C0X8mb9WBhl7NxuxzWKL7YX4DzOTsLgYaXdZ4SX6ZJNFNZ9G0LqVnzL8uNP0qjQD9Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County Health and Community Services and the county prosecutor updated the San Juan County Council on June 9, 2025, about funds and proposed uses from distributor components of opioid litigation settlements. Staff reported early purchases of naloxone and plans to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to support treatment access.

Mark Tompkins, director of health and community services, said the county had signed onto distributor settlement participation years earlier and has received varying payments since 2023. Tompkins said the county’s internal opioid settlement committee — which includes health staff, the prosecutor’s office and public safety representatives — has collected roughly $320,000 in settlement funds to date and has spent a small fraction of that on immediate response items.

Tompkins said the county purchased and distributed naloxone: “We purchased 121 kits. We distributed those to 6 entities,” including the Sheriff’s Office, emergency medical services and local fire districts. The county also assembled 117 “next step” kits (a sharps container with naloxone and information) that were distributed to courts, EMS, fire districts and behavioral health partners. He said those purchases and modest staff time totalled less than the first $17,500 initial distribution and that the larger pot remains available for planned programming.

Tompkins said the internal committee has drafted an RFP to provide material supports to people actively seeking opioid treatment — assistance meant to reduce barriers such as housing instability or immediate needs during treatment — and that the committee hopes to put approximately $100,000 per year for the next two years into such a program. He said eligible clients would need an agreed treatment plan and a provider partner; payments would be administered through qualified treatment partners, not county staff performing individual benefit administration.

Amy Vera, San Juan County prosecuting attorney, added background about the litigation timeline and noted settlement flows vary by defendant and over time. Both Tompkins and Vera said settlement funds are restricted to uses tied to opioid‑related services per the distributor settlement terms and that the county maintains a public dashboard of core strategies and spending on the county website.

The council did not vote on any appropriation at the meeting; the health department’s next steps are to finalize the RFP, seek applications from local and regional providers and present recommended awards to the county when selections are complete.","San Juan County has received distributor‑settlement funds and used early allocations to buy naloxone and assemble \"next step\" kits; county health staff and the prosecutor's office said roughly $320,000 has been received so far, and the county's internal committee plans an RFP to fund material supports for people seeking opioid treatment.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6201954,"San Juan County rolls out DEIB training series for staff; HR to audit policies",855,4241000,5096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd&start=4241&end=5096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3788389-ecabbf305e252a9eb73d1be610c172cd/thumbnail_4241000.jpg","/articles/6201954/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-rolls-out-DEIB-training-series-for-staff-HR-to-audit-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201954-056f16169586ada80641bef2eea29a46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211575&Signature=Y89tkMf3W3khCrjK7HVIfuWNDdrRDlePKlLIBjHQgz4dbWFxU46JZRvRi7ZbzDZopxZqn8GaJn9-iAU~dnDCUkQ9vDh-d5XH93XKZBb1f2KEadN2nIeionw0Jzv1MQuOgdDH~WzCOlTtTC8f60DCVuFafjXOtP3UBq6~ZSkRz0okkg~~RFN5~DHdLZfA9iMgVB7isL2DLFfeHgUd00IaceKDw~gTPkcVxjxEypFUGyrPsdIfug80QuH6K~45rY6L27LtWMOe7zioGoDWxmYsVv3JHdjab6Z5FD5puHTyqf-ztVRQT56-1rm3-XlKKLRcbVG0A7I0KBKA~BQzb7TCkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Juan County’s director of human resources and risk management, Matthew Bullock, briefed the council on June 9, 2025, about the county’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiative and a planned series of trainings and policy audits.

Bullock outlined a four‑phase process begun after the county contracted with the consultant Planned Action in April 2024. Phase A was diagnostic work, including an employee survey and leadership interviews. Phase B produced a strategic roadmap; the county is now in phase C, described as “behavior change” via training. Trainers have developed a three‑part series: foundations of DEIB, unconscious bias and inclusive behaviors, with an initial session held May 28 for department heads and elected officials and subsequent sessions scheduled for June and July.

Bullock said the training seeks to give staff the same common language about DEIB and to surface unconscious bias and blind spots. He said the county will record trainings for employees and elected officials who cannot attend live and will house recordings for onboarding use. The county also plans a policy audit that will review personnel policies and other procedures, create a consistent employee feedback structure and re‑survey staff after the training cycle to measure change.

Council members asked for measures of success and for assurance that council members could receive the training without creating public‑meeting conflicts. Bullock said the post‑training employee survey would be used to measure progress and that recordings would be available to elected officials individually so they could receive the training without meeting‑notification complications. He added the consultant contract includes hours for policy review and that staff would report back on budgetary usage and remaining contracted hours.

No formal council action was taken; staff will continue with the contracted training schedule, complete the policy audit and report back with survey results and a status update on contracted budget usage.","Human resources director Matthew Bullock reported progress on a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging program that includes a three‑part training series for staff and managers, a planned policy audit with a contracted consultant, and a plan to re‑survey employees and set consistent performance feedback processes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Juan County weighs modest local role in America250 commemoration

San Juan County staff outline draft language access plan; council asks for budget and department feedback

San Juan County food system plan finished; team asks council to retain comp‑plan policy and back implementation steps

Prosecutor reports progress on UDC code cleanup; staff planning beta testing before planning commission review

Health department outlines opioid‑settlement spending plan; committee to issue RFP for treatment support

San Juan County rolls out DEIB training series for staff; HR to audit policies