Community groups say compressed planning schedule will hinder public participation

Marnie Jackson told the Board of Island County Commissioners on May 13, 2025, that recent adjustments to Island County’s long-range planning schedule will make it difficult for community organizations and residents to participate meaningfully.

Jackson said grant-funded community organizations supported by the Department of Commerce were resourced to engage with draft elements according to the original schedule, but that the compressed schedule and a grant period that “closes in the end of the first week of June” will leave little time for funded outreach and review. She said releasing multiple elements “simultaneously or in short succession will also create an unwieldy workload” for the public, nonprofit staff and planning staff charged with integrating feedback.

Jackson urged the commission to consider a more iterative and extended process for future planning cycles to allow deeper public review. She noted the long-range planning schedule update was placed on next week’s agenda for both the county commission and the planning commission.

Commissioners acknowledged the comment but did not change the schedule at the meeting. One commissioner asked staff to locate and share the specific public-input site referenced earlier in the meeting. No formal motion, policy change or extension of deadlines was made during the session.

Jackson’s remarks were delivered during the public comment period and represent a request for staff and commissioners to consider process adjustments; commissioners did not commit to a specific remedy at the May 13 meeting.