Residents object to proposed $5 parcel charge for Clallam Conservation District; commissioners schedule further consideration

Several residents criticized a proposed $5-per‑parcel charge to fund the Clallam Conservation District during general public comment at the Sept. 9 Clallam County commissioners meeting, and commissioners indicated the matter will return for further consideration at a later meeting.

Denise Lapio of Sequim said the $5 increase could be the difference between paying for school supplies or medication for some residents and argued the charge should be applied more broadly rather than only to certain parcels. She asked the board to “rethink this and come up with a different solution” and suggested the conservation district should cut its expenses instead of shifting costs to parcel owners.

Another commenter, Eric Fairman, raised concerns about control and overhead costs and said he opposed creating a funded entity that he believed would expand authority and fees. Several speakers referenced a proposed $5 charge and questioned whether the district could reduce its own operating costs before imposing additional fees.

At the end of the meeting a commissioner announced that the conversation-district matter would return to the commission on a later date for formal consideration; the commissioner stated the hearing would be scheduled on the 23rd rather than the previously discussed 16th. No final vote or formal adoption of a parcel charge occurred at the Sept. 9 meeting.

Why it matters: The parcel charge would be a recurring line on property tax or assessment bills and commenters framed the proposal as potentially regressive for low-income and fixed‑income residents. Commissioners signaled the item will be discussed again at a future meeting, giving the public an opportunity for further input.

Next steps: The board will revisit the conservation-district ordinance/resolution at a future meeting (commissioner indicated a revised date of the 23rd); no formal action to adopt the charge was taken on Sept. 9.