Oak Harbor officials presented a draft set of legislative priorities for 2026 on Nov. 25, outlining priorities the city plans to carry to the state legislature and regional partners.

Grants Administrator Wendy Horn and Communications Officer Maggie Aguilar summarized priorities that include strengthening public safety and indigent defense, expanding access to housing and childcare, infrastructure investment to support growth and ferry connectivity, regulatory reforms to support economic development, public‑records management reform and continued partnership with Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Maggie Aguilar said, “For 2026, our priorities are more focused on strengthening, public safety, expanding access to housing, childcare,” and described work to align city requests with Association of Washington Cities and Island County priorities.

Why it matters: councilmembers and staff said the city must be ready with specific, actionable project descriptions and funding asks to be effective during the short 2026 legislative session. Councilmember Wiesner urged the administration to “be purposeful” and to attach concrete solutions and dollar figures to each broad priority so legislators will have items they can act on. Several councilmembers also asked that mental‑health services be incorporated into the public‑safety priority; Wiesner called mental health “part of the public safety conversation” and staff agreed to revise the draft to include it.

Council feedback ranged from requests to mirror the county’s more detailed format to suggestions to produce one‑page info sheets. Staff said they will prepare detailed accompaniment materials — project sheets with examples and, where possible, dollar estimates — to present with the priorities when the council next considers them. The city administrator reiterated that staff already prepares supplemental information packets and will publish the detail on the city website for use during lobbying visits.

Other items discussed included coordination with Island County on veterans services and a county jail needs assessment that has explored sites near Oak Harbor. Councilmember Marshall asked whether pursuing foot‑ferry infrastructure was viable; staff noted the city is tracking ferry system designs and dredging that would affect marina access and funding eligibility.

Next steps: staff will revise the priority list to add specificity and mental‑health language in public safety, prepare detailed info sheets and return the final draft to council for approval ahead of legislative outreach in early 2026.