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Anacortes updates legislative priorities, hires lobbyist and seeks state capital funds
Summary
The council approved updated legislative priorities (Resolution 3,207) including removal of the nutrient general permit item, a $500,000 request for State Route 20 preservation in 2026, a $500,000 capital request for the Cap Sante Marina event facility, and a new $18,000 lobbyist engagement.
The Anacortes City Council on Jan. 12 approved Resolution 3,207, adopting updated legislative priorities for the 2026 Washington State legislative session and authorizing a contracted lobbyist to support two capital funding requests.
Miss Hsu presented the recommended changes, saying recent Department of Ecology actions made the city’s nutrient general permit request no longer pertinent. Hsu said the city will request $500,000 in the 2026 transportation budget for State Route 20 preservation (Commercial Avenue repaving) and will request $500,000 in the state capital budget to advance the Cap Sante Marina Community Event Facility. She said the city is using lodging-tax revenues and local funds as the primary source for these projects while asking the state for targeted support.
The council also approved hiring Gordon Thomas Honeywell (the firm the county used) as a lobbyist for $18,000 to track legislation and advocate for the capital requests. Mr. McDougall noted the county paid the same firm and reported a strong return on investment; Mayor Walters said, “The same firm, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, has been the county's lobbyist in the past… They were able to realize a significant award from the legislature for the Star Center.” Council members asked about scope and emphasized the capital requests are the focus for the engagement.
Council Member Camille McGrath moved to adopt the updated legislative priorities and the related actions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said they will provide printed copies before meetings with legislators next week.
The updates remove one previously listed item, sharpen language for the two capital requests, and earmark a modest lobbying engagement intended to increase the city’s visibility with committee members and the legislative delegation.
