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San Juan County Council rescinds resolution, cancels April special election on Lopez Metro Park District
Summary
The San Juan County Council on Feb. 19 voted to rescind a Feb. 10 resolution that had authorized placing a ballot proposition on an April 22 special election to form a Metropolitan Park District on Lopez Island and to elect initial commissioners, after a legal review found limits on district finances exceed council authority.
The San Juan County Council voted Feb. 19 to rescind a Feb. 10 resolution that had authorized placing a ballot proposition on the April 22 special election to form a Metropolitan Park District on Lopez Island and elect initial commissioners.
County Manager Hudson told the council that the Feb. 10 resolution had authorized two ballot items: formation of the district and election of five initial commissioners. A subsequent legal review found the council does not have authority to limit the total financial ability of a metropolitan park district, although it can limit specific projects if a Metropark plan is in place. After discussions with the Lopez Island Community Formation Committee, the committee asked the council to rescind the resolution to allow the committee to explore other options.
Rescinding the resolution means there will be no special election on April 22 for the Lopez Metro Park District. Hudson said the formation committee may pursue other avenues, including a community petition or forming a traditional park-and-recreation district.
Council Chair McVay moved to rescind Resolution No. 10-2025, described in the motion as “resolution number 10-2025 regarding submission of a ballot proposition for an 04/22/2025 special election regarding the formation of a Metropolitan Park District on Lopez Island and election of district commissioners.” Council Member Paulson seconded the motion. The council passed the motion by voice vote; the official roll-call tally was not specified on the record.
Paulson said she had reviewed the matter with John Kane and was comfortable with the rescission after Kane explained her concerns. Council members also discussed that the Lopez formation group had sought outside counsel from an attorney associated with Tacoma’s Metropolitan Park District, and that counsel had concurred with the county’s legal review, a council member said.
Council Member Fuller was listed as excused on vacation. With no further business, Chair McVay adjourned the meeting at 12:04 p.m.
What the action does and does not do: the council’s vote removed the county-sponsored path to place the formation measure on the April 22 special election ballot; it did not itself create any alternative formation process or adopt a Metropark plan. The formation committee retains the ability to pursue a petition-driven formation or other district types under state law.
