[{"_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",5966682,"mediaKeyId","5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47","parentId",5872679,"title","San Juan County budget described as \"ugly\" as officials ask departments to model 9% cuts","audioSeconds",613,"startMs",405000,"endMs",1018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47&start=405&end=1018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47/thumbnail_405000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5966682/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-budget-described-as-ugly-as-officials-ask-departments-to-model-9-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966682-347fad397ca0d63e5588204061040018/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447707&Signature=iYvzL1vcKmr-3Lho6oLE-M5Fozy60HkRNClwT9q-uzBDtdnIuAxazp3tpd~rAKX80LTenb9YZ34cgZ7eg7LnGvZb-im0uTnPCTChAf3-uVRKFviRmOrQx-akqDBoe33MGTt3h2BgA945uZUShN4Bh4N1E5EB3-BiPx98Pl3HmcFqKCd4Qz57l3jgO2mySRPIEfiZIwHCvcaGIBP1sYChGy1nD3maAduq8JZo66E7c3Gm1ZQnGZmALjVmCecZnkLSw5YO2usMePnG381Cs84~kzJjRVwZg2BnEhJWhSjhw98B7~S76JI32adrqToDem5g5Q7E7cOYzQiq~zSnlWKGpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Juan County, WA","date","2025-10-02T00:00:00Z","article","County Councilmember Justin told the Eastsound Planning Review Committee on Oct. 2 that San Juan County is facing a significant budget shortfall and will delay the formal public opening of the budget process until Dec. 1 to allow more time for deliberation. “The word I’m going to use is ugly, looking forward,” Justin said of the county’s fiscal outlook.

Justin said county leadership has asked every department and every elected official to identify what a 9% reduction to their budgets would look like, and to flag any state-mandated services that could not be delivered under that reduction. “We walked out of the meeting on Tuesday with asking every department and every elected official to give us an idea of what a 9% cut across their departments would look like,” he said.

The county’s current budget framework includes a base property tax levy that is allowed by state law to rise roughly 1% per year plus new construction; Justin said that the county’s projected property tax revenue is in the “8.x million” range and that the wider county fund is roughly $30,000,000. He warned that most county revenue is constrained by earmarked funds or state and federal grants, limiting flexible dollars available to cover shortfalls.

Justin also said the county will use a workshop process — rather than immediate hearings — through the next two months to determine how to close the gap and to identify which services could be maintained, reduced or require reallocation. He warned that any across-the-board reductions would need to preserve state-mandated functions: “If somebody is unable to meet their mandates ... then we can’t do that,” he said.

Committee members asked for more detail about where county revenue comes from; Justin directed members to the county’s published budget books and offered to provide further summary materials. He said additional budget discussions will take place in regularly scheduled County Council meetings and invited residents to follow those workshops for technical detail and public testimony.

Ending: County staff and elected officials will continue workshops through November ahead of the December 1 public opening; Justin said the county will produce more materials explaining revenue sources and the likely service impacts of proposed reductions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Eastsound Planning Review Committee - October 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Oct. 2 Eastsound Planning Review Committee meeting, County Councilmember Justin told attendees San Juan County faces a significant budget shortfall and has asked departments to model the effects of a 9% across-the-board reduction while the county prepares for public budget hearings.","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},5966678,"San Juan County sea-level-rise vulnerability assessment presented; mapping and neighborhood workshops planned",359,1602000,1961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47&start=1602&end=1961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47/thumbnail_1602000.jpg","/articles/5966678/San-Juan-County/Washington/San-Juan-County-sea-level-rise-vulnerability-assessment-presented-mapping-and-neighborhood-workshops-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966678-11bb54620b2999e7bea1b91526aa5b62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447707&Signature=BO15XEfRPPtT394FGZ2Nvo-SyklUHHbIyRFzmGZQpMBkxX0D1OP-XQPFx4zI4KsWPfYzGo5SaEkkihwQY1s9SNFWM4SP1J-Fip5PjzoV4mRwfTmR7nLMpUxbvAfEUKPvlraH1K7Byn2-kSV6QIzuhRbnR4QSoEa-KqMmwTjzytK9Yw-9lBf8KAWB~JPRVNzzTWebsYvMUQ~8kNquD0L~bbMl-w9~43GWWiK4b~BUOp671tKo9rwpDxG8H0IO6JTXqEFvPYv9cE9LdMy2twddXR0pKmJAimG9M3QxiJUMfmY301bIrQEctSuICZT~F42DbzY7FEuSZ5srlj8XQ9KBKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cindy and county staff told the Eastsound Planning Review Committee on Oct. 2 that San Juan County has published a sea level rise vulnerability assessment that includes interactive maps and neighborhood-level results.

“Yesterday was the ... county’s series of workshops ... presenting the results of the sea level rise vulnerability assessment,” Cindy said, and she urged wider public participation at upcoming neighborhood workshops that will focus on solutions and trade-offs for roads, utilities and property impacts.

County planner Sofia said the vulnerability assessment informs the development of the comprehensive plan’s climate element and that climate recommendations were used to identify policy options across multiple plan chapters. Sofia also clarified that the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is chapter 3 of the comp plan process but is governed by its own separate process.

Speakers said the assessment uses the latest science, includes mapping of armoring and erosion projections, and shows probable inundation scenarios for mid-century projections. Cindy and Sofia noted that some low-lying roads and utility corridors — such as sections of Deer Harbor Road and areas around West Sound and Crescent Beach — were identified as vulnerable and will require community discussion about priorities and funding. Sofia said FEMA is unlikely to fully underwrite solutions and that the county expects to rely on a mixture of grants and local decisions.

Ending: The county will run further neighborhood workshops in October (date to be published) and committee members were directed to the San Juan County website to view the published report and interactive maps.","EPRC members heard that San Juan County has published a sea level rise vulnerability assessment with interactive maps; county staff said the assessment will inform the comprehensive plan climate element and neighborhood workshops on adaptation options.",{"_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},5966675,"OPALCO preps Eastsound substation rebuild and 4 MWh battery; work slated for 2026–2027",389,2177000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47&start=2177&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47/thumbnail_2177000.jpg","/articles/5966675/San-Juan-County/Washington/OPALCO-preps-Eastsound-substation-rebuild-and-4-MWh-battery-work-slated-for-20262027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966675-34682e2438234dcb5dcb3e2cef300e25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447707&Signature=K0YFm0vXfiiLXgPPSA25WhKWWj9iC3MLkFUNDYcnd6eFjHFWvob8bngd59G0Dq2tlfYE1MpRIYR8uR2XAWdirOpAr~VoPHTlb6ld5ui61hlz7qUx1OVLpAfWeHSC1DtGsuwbF1doLWfx6fM~jcaG38s4jKMm8WOck1dFAKbC~y145~1iyEaq11dW9aj453rcpeJJh3PGyjJAQQf91IcgUKT4RtXUZ-4UoIS4dEL87pU0qGNiZ69-eUdLr27OXH3JYtb3pTNRk3CYZ6TZ4ib47IqnFu4JluNwQhrTmKOc0SmbHgy0GH3eL-Wrv4M947o0XjTD7jbWF2GqL9IxHTiVtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from OPALCO and consultant ESA presented a pre-application for an Eastsound substation rebuild and associated battery storage during the Oct. 2 EPRC meeting. Vanessa Rogers, ESA, opened the presentation and said the project is in a pre-permit stage: “We are not yet at the stage where we're going to submit applications.”

Robert (OPALCO) said the work would take place on the existing substation lot, expanding the fenced footprint to create equipment and vehicle access and to bring the station to current standards. He described the project as a substation rebuild combined with battery installation and said the battery for this site was sized at roughly 4 megawatt‑hours (MWh) though OPALCO acknowledged that space and grant funding constrain final sizing.

Project timing is phased: OPALCO expects battery work to begin sooner (targeted for 2026) and major substation reconstruction (including large transformers ordered earlier) to be carried out in 2027 because of long lead times for equipment. Robert said outages and construction windows will likely be scheduled in late spring/May to avoid winter operational constraints.

Vanessa and OPALCO staff reported that cultural resources surveys were completed with no concerns raised and that wetland and stream delineations found resources on the parcel that will require coordination with Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; local county permits will also be needed. The project is a competitive grant through the Washington Department of Commerce and is expected to be 50% funded by that program.

Speakers emphasized potential resilience benefits: batteries could support selected critical loads (schools, wastewater facilities, similar assets) during outages and can also be used for grid efficiency (peak shaving). OPALCO staff cautioned that batteries are not a cure-all and that load analysis would determine which critical assets could be supported.

Ending: Early outreach continues; county staff and OPALCO will coordinate permitting and outreach, and the EPRC discussed using a planned outage period as an opportunity to rehearse community emergency responses.","OPALCO representatives presented a pre-application for rebuilding an Eastsound substation and installing a battery system (about 4 megawatt-hours). The project would expand the fenced footprint, require wetlands and cultural permits, and is partially funded by a Washington Department of Commerce grant.",{"_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},5966672,"Washington State Ferries plans two-day ferry-dock closure in 2027; county seeks contracted transport during outage",187,1170000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47&start=1170&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47/thumbnail_1170000.jpg","/articles/5966672/San-Juan-County/Washington/Washington-State-Ferries-plans-two-day-ferry-dock-closure-in-2027-county-seeks-contracted-transport-during-outage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966672-54f93596b80b1aec6751da2083fa76ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447707&Signature=Ck7kTRX0z8uR~klCbdXs09G2FIO2U0GHFBfo0eON~1NIgQzMq2bMxV9KpeqAFOf9vK8GZ-3q5ZLT~NR-8hYIA7nHItWQb3KG0-yU5Vh8TMDs6vzMKCHYuSaXFEdNXDzOwExmGAxd8mUtyd57CHbz6mTgbLz5jojVwEj557a4BmRO8w4DaHxzs-hhLSTlSiIE8Qmupu6HNWJp1uocLmQpPLQp-~WJ1hIST205BApn9xTDZxeWtWc7X~6b7ByxMDZK-JjUezhz3UwntuQWCMe5mgma1UrlRXtvsgtQXozQ3jZa3Co7x5LYKdmj6NMhDKWwPORa7sv~dM8pGuIUXF00vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin told the EPRC that Washington State Ferries plans a two-day closure of the East Sound ferry dock in 2027 for dock work and has asked the county which days would be best. The county will coordinate scheduling with nearby islands (Lopez, Shaw) to avoid simultaneous closures and will solicit community input via brief surveys.

Justin said he will ask that the ferry contractor include funding for transportation services in the contract so residents and visitors have inter-island and mainland travel options during the outage. “I am going to be inputting ... funding to make sure that we have transportation both within the islands and to the mainland, even if it's just foot transportation available through the entire outage,” he said.

County staff described coordination with the county Department of Emergency Management, grocery stores, schools and EMS and said outreach will include industry stakeholders and a basic survey asking whether earlier or later weekdays are preferable for the closure window. The county asked for community feedback by the end of the month so Washington State Ferries can finalize a schedule.

Ending: The county will circulate surveys and additional outreach materials; committee members encouraged planning for local transportation and emergency coordination during the closure.","County staff said Washington State Ferries will close the East Sound dock for two days in 2027 to do work. The county and community are being surveyed about preferred dates; county staff will ask that the contractor provide island and mainland foot transportation during the outage.",{"_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},5966667,"EPRC approves meeting minutes for Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, 2025",107,1446000,1553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47&start=1446&end=1553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5872679-e3392cc4776f22aafec559fb9b709c47/thumbnail_1446000.jpg","/articles/5966667/San-Juan-County/Washington/EPRC-approves-meeting-minutes-for-Aug-7-and-Sept-4-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966667-19f70ce336f91e2048b225337e509f76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447707&Signature=eob7CFFt1jFXXK3WCH1iXCtUEpmeCm1YqP1Qy2vAtGo2yoDXgyJqGcFHU2ClGWuvl8JoHFu4UNbEgK3Gh4Ue~kH810BDxcbs-q8CQwX4xViMSnejr9Gcjzm5xIQk8eEBs4ydWUJ9C5xVAcLAj2qOfijH-u752MhaUeuJox9REm2rpyI7HS9LkQFH2EQHaED-fGJ2sUOhiqyf3vY3itaG8CaSF6GsoDpg4VeEcApKX2WA5Y6J73QxKRTyHWHUYQpNe-eInycKTmgGH2lEW8mrwOWexJuXZA-7OZdnDQ-4Qiap19tHEej7oEBZMDtta04VJPrra9L8LR1QiHhVoFETDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eastsound Planning Review Committee approved minutes from its Aug. 7, 2025 and Sept. 4, 2025 meetings during the Oct. 2 session.

A member moved to approve the Aug. 7, 2025 minutes; a second was given and the committee approved the minutes by voice vote. The committee then moved to approve the Sept. 4, 2025 minutes (with a spelling correction noted); a second was made and the committee approved those minutes by voice vote as well.

Ending: The committee proceeded to its agenda after approving both sets of minutes.","The Eastsound Planning Review Committee approved its Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, 2025 meeting minutes during the Oct. 2 meeting; motions were moved and seconded and the minutes were approved by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Juan County budget described as "ugly" as officials ask departments to model 9% cuts

San Juan County sea-level-rise vulnerability assessment presented; mapping and neighborhood workshops planned

OPALCO preps Eastsound substation rebuild and 4 MWh battery; work slated for 2026–2027

Washington State Ferries plans two-day ferry-dock closure in 2027; county seeks contracted transport during outage

EPRC approves meeting minutes for Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, 2025