[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6466586,"mediaKeyId","5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87","parentId",5823143,"title","Commissioner Browning announces resignation, highlights VOA Burlington project and county budget shortfall","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",743000,"endMs",946000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87&start=743&end=946","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87/thumbnail_743000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466586/Skagit-County/Washington/Commissioner-Browning-announces-resignation-highlights-VOA-Burlington-project-and-county-budget-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466586-b1c3c506886c6384b249fc7fe5f38511/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143805&Signature=fU1Bm33aXtksiNWdvJU0QyRdNqK7EW7nc7kS~WkJFIrU6ujmwOC11LuaNuV6~Qpyr40rXWMw4-OJbFGRSMhtgR3rrfAfTinNREiZjPvjigZwgbFdmIYgRIDBj6b7ITF14hziAxEF2PBp7JXu-UBwx0yqsX36cHfbNgC4pdAspdmDAbPqqwrihMxL2MaBKWza3YsN79LVSS9PUF4RyRh2EWhFdLFyME5vBFYVNbxSs65QMxbosiv-NhCgLrb55GDwKRHyZ69nKYhQCZqYv~bNKKBjm-ZF9XJnYQx5~jFwtU9Xg-jdGP~wZtTZz8oT8gWShn9c0hjlOvQcZ9f1DmrRKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skagit County","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioner Browning spoke during the Sept. 23 public comment session and used the time to share community announcements, an update on housing funding and to say she submitted a written resignation.

\"I had to officially submit my written resignation... be resigning at the end of this year, I had to put that in writing to the county, for Friday, January 2,\" Commissioner Browning said. She told the board she expects the final months in office to be busy with the budget process.

Browning also described an affordable-housing project by Volunteers of America of Western Washington. She said the county recently considered a resolution and held a public hearing on housing funds intended for 42 permanently affordable units at 3050% AMI; Browning said one-third of those units will be reserved for veterans. (Transcript wording \"3050% AMI\" was used; the county-described program context indicates the speaker was referring to income-restricted units in lower AMI bands.)

Browning noted the county will use housing funds to support the Burlington project at 3050% AMI and said the units will be permanently affordable. She also said the county is preparing for the budget process and that it enters the upcoming budget with “just under $19,000,000 out of balance.”

Why it matters: A commissioner’s departure, the allocation of housing funds and a multi-million-dollar budget gap all bear on county services and planning. Browning’s comments flagged upcoming decisions the board will take during the budget cycle and pointed to an ongoing housing-development partnership with Volunteers of America.

Clarifying details: Browning said the Volunteers of America project will deliver 42 affordable units in Burlington, with about one-third of units set aside for veterans. She said the county considered a resolution and public hearing related to housing funds that would support the project. Browning described the county’s budget as roughly $19 million out of balance as it approaches the next budget process.

Ending: Browning said she and Commissioner Wiesen will attend a North Star advisory group meeting and that work will continue on the county’s housing and behavioral-health initiatives. The board did not vote or take formal action during the Sept. 23 public-comment meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Skagit County - Record of the Proceedings - Tuesday Session","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Browning told the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 that she submitted a written resignation and updated the board on housing funding and the county budget shortfall.","taxTitle","Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5125,"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},6466590,"Lake Kavanaugh resident asks Skagit County to pursue grant for North Shore road restoration, expedite curbside recycling",126,498000,624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87&start=498&end=624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87/thumbnail_498000.jpg","/articles/6466590/Skagit-County/Washington/Lake-Kavanaugh-resident-asks-Skagit-County-to-pursue-grant-for-North-Shore-road-restoration-expedite-curbside-recycling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466590-edc9517bd76dee7b8cba8170e482ad75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143805&Signature=GGkvC-XEoQfg6KDYJTKn5CHM6wrHlEhq6-u8kfz3mc-kyVRTiV08iTswB4Ez6FJWYOGJxSEe5AakJWZQ-XQ1BAERHl~1nnG9oH0F~P-dJ99o4LzvRGhovmfr5U3QdfF0fu9jj77Zs5SBXEyr1-CHX3pqyVskvzhA9w18uHy8C9tMzPxZgezn-X8UJfRpgg6TiYY6fSKtR5jF9jssXIgevMCJISSpF44N~Es3SIGK8fLac~hmCic06CK9uCmVoegcRAQn4y52uWh4XU6wu-P3uZZJmedPIz2EPoCaqC0ejpCFLMTujGdKR6L0DGLJInpFZffxMMFNsjHwyyWIvVPVCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Loreta Humble (who identified herself as \"Tweety\"), a Lake Kavanaugh resident, told the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 that she is asking the county to pursue grant funding to restore North Shore Road and to expedite curbside recycling service for her community.

\"If I understood correctly, during the public work session, it sounds like project grants are available. I am wondering if you are able to apply for a grant for our Lake Kavanaugh North Shore Road restoration project,\" Humble said. She added that she is “optimistic that grant funding coupled with the $590,000 that should still be in the county coffers and earmarked for North Shore could possibly restore North Shore to its previous condition.”

Why it matters: Residents of rural roads often seek grant funding and county coordination to repair infrastructure that predates current urban standards. Humble said she was asking for a simple rural road solution rather than urban code upgrades, and she asked the county to move the curbside recycling project through legal review and contracting so her area can receive service.

Humble also asked, “how in the world is it taking so long to secure simple curbside recycling service?” She said she believes no community should wait an excessive time for such basic service and requested county help to expedite the project beyond legal reviews.

Clarifying details: Humble identified $590,000 as funds she believes remain earmarked by the county for North Shore. She said the project is intended to restore the road to a simple rural standard rather than a fully urbanized street with additional code requirements.

Ending: No county action or vote was taken during the Sept. 23 public comment period. The board’s public-comment rules state commissioners do not respond during the session; residents may submit written comments or follow up by email or mail.","During the Sept. 23 public comment session, Loreta (Loretta) Humble asked the Board of Commissioners whether the county can apply for project grants to restore Lake Kavanaugh North Shore Road, suggested using about $590,000 she said is earmarked for the project, and urged the county to speed up curbside recycling implementation.",{"_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},6466595,"Resident alleges county-area groundwater dispute, title irregularities during Skagit County public comment",136,288000,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87&start=288&end=424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6466595/Skagit-County/Washington/Resident-alleges-county-area-groundwater-dispute-title-irregularities-during-Skagit-County-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466595-26d39935b4020e845d676c3dc79ba545/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143805&Signature=klhz0PxJTNU5TMF-U01702oHENHTwa5G~IzsiLQwW60NYU9GYYb-yYdqSLPrCN-K6oQ1YGMbNDlvO6MGEVhwx1XDCp5BjW-0oU-d5ZXIEF3wwvNBFTsYibKi3RwNSqBjVbWhHLsA~xoE0EgzDFkzmfIoUwS08Y5jGJiEz-fNOCEhY3oK86QwC6U3vTNqtWZJSZfgfpflpEh3cm23hhFmzd7UpQ40KReUbpekdly1jW3eYcfId7aO6kGSTj3BvIXHFOmV79DRtmm4bppjt2NH6vipxc9MiUS~bYblmCS-efJE62wyVPLa-e7hAZjQcans9b6XMg0-3VGVyGzbwxFaGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anthony Romano, a property owner, told the Skagit County Board of Commissioners during public comment on Sept. 23 that he is locked in a dispute over groundwater rights and alleged improper title transfers and agency action.

Romano said the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and salmon-recovery efforts are “stealing my groundwater right” that he described as grandfathered to his property. He said he has documents, including a file he named while speaking as “file number 380898,” and that he has spent about $170,000 in attorney fees pursuing the matter. “All I wanna let everybody know that all my, that they tried getting me for the cockpit were all dismissed, every 1 of them,” Romano said during his three-minute comment.

Why it matters: Romano characterized the dispute as involving multiple state and local agencies and alleged title irregularities affecting neighboring parcels. If agency action or title errors affect property rights, affected residents commonly seek clarification from county officials or state agencies; Romano asked the commission to note his claims and the documents he offered.

Romano named several agencies and parties during his remarks, including the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Department of Ecology, and local property assessors. He also accused neighbors of title fraud and said one neighbor’s son is a local fire marshal; Romano said the allegations have led to repeated police contact that he characterized as harassment.

Romano asked the board to review the documents he presented and asked who a person named Debbie Abel is, stating he wanted clarification of various records and decisions he believes have harmed him financially and personally.

The commissioners did not take public testimony or issue a response during the comment period; the board’s procedure, as announced before the session, is not to respond during public comment and to accept written follow-ups by email or mail.

Clarifying details: Romano cited a file number he said was 380898 and referenced approximately $170,000 in attorney fees he said resulted from defending against various filings and police reports. He described his water right as “grandfathered” to his property but did not present a formal county or state adjudication during the meeting.

Ending: The county did not announce any immediate follow-up action during the Sept. 23 session. Residents can submit documents and written comments to the commissioners’ office via the county email or by mail to 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon.","At a Sept. 23 public comment session, Anthony Romano alleged the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office and other agencies are affecting his grandfathered groundwater rights, cited title errors and said he incurred about $170,000 in legal fees; he requested help and presented documents.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":78,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466581,"Bow resident urges Skagit County commissioners to publish positions and hold forums, warns of democratic erosion",141000,267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87&start=141&end=267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823143-ef8164c50c5d5a2a177446107c28ce87/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6466581/Skagit-County/Washington/Bow-resident-urges-Skagit-County-commissioners-to-publish-positions-and-hold-forums-warns-of-democratic-erosion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466581-1d9d395567ce85ef62c16c833b477089/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143805&Signature=Wy~Olj4mXc1nK90azjwTaetBqdMKto-JgaXGTrZXpvC1a9RFHuOwF1QHGrLuxPizS4IHkwS5myzY5H8P8hydtNdisFbvqJiE3SbmYOodc80S6XkS3SbaZTAZiL51ul0EgiaDjCkNdwo-BvCcvLu-gbT-raqOOwgo1YG5xO6UlGJHC5ajH2GWWo5vUdrRnnw-Iky09O2sqsce2pZ9PKWCCaFpJNdIbfr3Wb9gs3HnjX96PNZ0RnEOfmX5i~jEtpm1wKkR98i3k1oGdmT7KToGzeWBNhDUDMGIwA8cesqvfTYvORHQCdHBPBxDWEgN-Bosnc6oYSQGm6wuppCYG50YRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Peck of Bow told the Skagit County Board of Commissioners during the Sept. 23 public comment period that residents need clearer communication from elected officials and greater opportunities for residents to learn where commissioners stand on issues.

Quoting a social-media post, Peck said, \"What we're witnessing isn't politics, it's actually authoritarianism wrapped in the American flag. If we accept it as normal, then we normalize it.\" She said the three-minute public-comment format often feels like \"talking to a wall\" because commissioners do not respond during the session, and she urged the board to consider monthly forums, a written column or other means to tell residents where they stand on important issues.

Why it matters: Peck framed her remarks as a call for local democratic engagement and accountability. She said she has voted for each of the three commissioners at least once and said residents deserve accessible information about commissioners’ positions, especially in historic times.

Clarifying details: Peck requested the board consider a forum where residents can ask questions and suggested commissioners publish periodic statements on positions. She emphasized that the public-comment protocol includes a three-minute limit with an audible warning at two minutes and a requirement that commissioners not respond during the session.

Ending: The board’s published procedure (reiterated at the start of the session) confirms that commissioners do not respond during public comment and that residents may submit written follow-ups by email or mail.","Rebecca Peck of Bow used public comment on Sept. 23 to urge the Board of Commissioners to increase transparency and public engagement, quoting a social-media post that described current trends as \"authoritarianism wrapped in the American flag.\"","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner Browning announces resignation, highlights VOA Burlington project and county budget shortfall

Lake Kavanaugh resident asks Skagit County to pursue grant for North Shore road restoration, expedite curbside recycling

Resident alleges county-area groundwater dispute, title irregularities during Skagit County public comment

Bow resident urges Skagit County commissioners to publish positions and hold forums, warns of democratic erosion