Commission approves $32,000 for Sweetwater Creek park; Beards Cove Commerce grant and supplemental budget also approved

Mason County commissioners on June 23 approved multiple funding and budget actions, including a $32,000 Port of Allyn .09 fund request for the Sweetwater Creek Waterfront Park, authorization for the Public Works director to accept Commerce grants for the Beards Cove water system improvements, and supplemental appropriation adjustments for the 2026 budget.

Port of Allyn request: Staff introduced the Port of Allyn's application for a $32,000 contribution from county .09 funds to support the Sweetwater Creek Waterfront Park (project originally conceived in 2010). Port representatives described park amenities including a restroom (noted as the only accessible restroom between Belfair and Shelton on State Route 3), picnic shelter, trail and interpretive signage and argued the project would support tourism and corridor economic activity. Port staff cited multiple RCW provisions they consider relevant to port authority projects (transcript citations included RCW 53.08.010; 53.08.260; 53.08.255 and related sections).

Concerns and responses: Commissioners and members of the public raised procedural and substantive questions about project prioritization, use of the county's 0.09 funds and whether the county's new project scoring matrix had been applied. A commissioner asked how the port project would "fully utilize" port facilities under the cited RCWs; the port replied that acquisition and development would enhance public access and corridor viability. Port representatives said an arborist identified hazardous trees that were permitted and removed and that a targeted EPA brownfields assessment had been awarded and is awaiting a kickoff. Judy Scott, Port of Allyn commissioner, urged board support and said local partners such as the Salmon Enhancement Group and school district back the project.

Board action: A commissioner moved to approve the Port of Allyn's .09 fund request of $32,000; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (all in favor).

Beards Cove Commerce grant: Earlier in the meeting, Loretta Swanson, Public Works and Utilities and Waste Management Director, asked the board to authorize the chair and/or the Public Works Director or Deputy Director to execute documents necessary to accept and administer Commerce grants for the Beards Cove water system improvement projects. The board moved, seconded and approved that authorization.

Budget amendments: Finance staff presented proposed supplemental appropriations and amendments for 2026 that increase general fund appropriations by $164,551 and increase appropriations in other funds by $444,854. Specific items included LEFF retiree medical costs, a courthouse remodel allocation, trial court system upgrades, a Skokomish flood-zone REET2 project, pump replacement funding for Beards Cove water, and adjustments to beginning fund balances. The board approved the supplemental appropriations by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Action agenda adoption (with items 8.10, 8.13, 8.16 removed for separate consideration): approved by voice vote. - Item 8.16 (Beards Cove Commerce grants authorization): motion to authorize chair/Public Works Director to accept and administer Commerce grants for Beards Cove; approved by voice vote. - Item 8.10 (Port of Allyn .09 fund request for Sweetwater Creek): approved, $32,000; motion and voice vote recorded as unanimous. - Item 8.13 (Youth Connection CHG contract): removed for discussion and later approved for termination by mutual agreement (see separate article). - Supplemental budget: approved (general fund +$164,551; other funds +$444,854).

What to watch: Port proponents said Sweetwater Creek project has long-term planning and partner support; opponents and some commissioners asked for clear use of the county scoring matrix and clarity on long-term maintenance liabilities. The Beards Cove grant will move to document execution with Public Works; budget adjustments will be reflected in the county's fiscal records.