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08/01/22 09 AM: BOCC Approves Conservation Funds, Budget, Lodging Tax Ordinance

BOCC Approves Conservation Funds, Budget, Lodging Tax Ordinance

Jefferson County Commissioners approved conservation futures projects, LTAC ordinance, budget objectives; updates on COVID/monkeypox, Caswell Brown lease workshop; consent agenda passed.

Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:23–00:24:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The board opened public comment until 9:30 AM, inviting Zoom participants to raise hands. No oral comments were received; written comments addressed a camper issue at Caswell Brown (Commissioner Brotherton to respond, noting no new campers allowed and future expansion plans), and ~10 comments on timber sales (Commissioner Brotherton noted review of Unit 7 with forestry experts).

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton addressed written comment on camper near Caswell Brown, clarifying correlation not causation with fairgrounds, city property involvement, and future 27-spot expansion.
  • Commissioner Brotherton acknowledged timber sale comments, confirming site visits to Unit 7 and Penny Wise.

Public Comments

  • No oral public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment period closed with no oral input.
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda (Items 2-14 Approved; Item 1 Pulled)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:30–00:11:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, other

Summary

The board approved consent agenda items 2-14 as presented after pulling Item 1 (budget objectives) for later discussion due to concerns over strategic initiatives. Items included new Board of Health members, longevity payments (added post-agenda), lodging tax changes, and budget guidance noted as conservative amid economic uncertainty.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton: Praised budget objectives as conservative, emphasizing state/federal leveraging; noted new Board of Health onboarding.
  • Commissioner Kate: Expressed regret over missing feedback on budget document, concerned it lacked strategic priorities, hiring freeze implications, and explicit revenue/expense guidance.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Consent agenda updated online with longevity payments (Item 7); budget objectives (Item 1) highlighted as key document.

Financials

No specific figures discussed beyond general conservative approach.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pulled Item 1 for afternoon revision to add strategic initiatives language.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to pull item one from the consent agenda and approve and adopt the remainder items 2 through 14, as presented." Amendment accepted unanimously.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Item 1 to be revisited post-lunch.

COVID-19 and Monkeypox Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:41:54–01:13:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Dr. Barry reported stable national/state/Jefferson County COVID-19 metrics (5,270 cases, 690/100k rate, 17% positivity, 1 hospitalization, 30 deaths); Clallam similar (14,662 cases, 1 hospitalization, 119 deaths). Monkeypox update: 118 WA cases (5,000 national), 2 in Kitsap; vaccine available for exposures only. Recommendations: masking indoors, updated vaccines/boosters; tests free at health dept/libraries/fire stations.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Barry: Case ascertainment ~30-40%; free tests via SayYesCovidTest.org (18-month shelf life); healthcare settings safe with masking; N95s usable if fitting well.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Test positivity query.
  • Commissioner Kate: Healthcare risk concerns.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; no action taken.
  • No next steps specified.

2022 Conservation Futures Applications

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:14:36–01:35:39 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning

Summary

Hearing on two Jefferson Land Trust projects: Quimper Wildlife Corridor Trust Land Transfer ($199,500 acquisition + $5,500 O&M for 107 acres) and Rock Salmon Creek ($126,000 acquisition + $8,625 O&M for 155.23 acres protecting salmon habitat). Both scored high, met 50% match; total $340,125 < available funds. Approved unanimously after public hearing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Staff (Tammy/Dave/Blaise): Projects maintain habitat/open space; Rock Salmon key for summer chum; Quimper patches corridor (137 acres protected, +107=244 acres total).
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Supports recreation access, sustainable forestry.
  • Public: Owen (historical context), Jean Ball (gratitude for conservation).

Public Comments

  • Owen: Noted prior state approval/funding failure for Rock Salmon; supports Quimper transfer.
  • Jean Ball (Quilcene): Expressed pride in county conservation efforts.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda resolutions (error in whereas clauses corrected); applications reviewed by committee with site tours.

Financials

  • Quimper: $199,500 acquisition, $5,500 O&M.
  • Rock Salmon: $126,000 acquisition, $8,625 O&M.
  • Total request: $340,125; match >50%.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Corrected resolution errors (Hammond/Pennypack references).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved resolutions for both projects as amended.
  • Vote: Unanimous on each.
  • No next steps specified.

Amendments to Prior Conservation Futures Projects

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:35:56–01:43:18 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use

Summary

Amendments to 2022 approvals: Hannon Farm (total cost increase due to real estate values, 4% CF); Big Quilcene River Moon Valley (revised match excluding future O&M). Both retain same deliverables/CF awards. Approved unanimously after hearing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Staff (Tammy/Kenny): Hannon due to market changes; Moon Valley clarifies match timing.

Public Comments

  • Owen: Supports amendments for project adaptability.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Resolutions 51-2021, 53-2021.

Financials

No new figures; awards unchanged.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved both resolutions as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous on each.
  • No next steps specified.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Ordinance Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:43:47–02:09:38 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, budgeting

Summary

Updated JCC 3.25 to align with RCW 67.28.1816: added definitions (acquisition, operation, tourism-related facility); limited capital to municipality/PFD-owned (25% max); reporting requirements. Ensures harmony with state law on LTAC uses. Approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Prosecuting Attorney Hunsucker: Principles of federalism/statutory construction; dichotomies in capital vs. operations; past applications compliant.
  • Finance Manager Shepherd: Tracks operations/programmatic split.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears (unincorporated): Prefer RCW reference over verbatim; tighten to Jefferson County-only benefits.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proposed ordinance; RCW 67.28.1816.

Financials

LTAC: ≤25% capital; ≤50% operations (≥50% tourism promotion/programming).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to amend JCC Chapter 3.25...to better synchronize with state statute."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Mid-Biennium Budget Objectives and Procedures (Pulled Consent Item 1)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:15:10–04:31:03 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting

Summary

Pulled from consent for amendment; added "budget" to title and strategic priorities bullet under #8 (extraordinary revenues for housing, transit, workforce). Emphasizes conservative approach amid revenue uncertainty/expenses. Approved as amended.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Kate: Add explicit strategic initiatives (housing, transit, workforce) using extraordinary revenues to avoid surprising departments.
  • Finance/Treasurer: Extraordinary = above budgeted; fits under #8 priorities.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Resolution; Kate's proposed edits.

Financials

Extraordinary revenues (e.g., ARPA, sales tax) for priorities; conservative budgeting.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Added to #8: "As extraordinary general fund revenues allow, advance Board strategic initiatives including..."

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved resolution as amended.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Caswell Brown Lease Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:36:17–05:04:20 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, land use, planning

Summary

Workshop on 40-year lease (option for purchase) to OlyCAP for Phase 3 capital (permanent shelter); $10/year rent. Needed for Commerce grant (due 9/12/22, awards 12/22). Consensus on lease (no purchase needed now); define trail/ROW; zoning via EPF by spring 2023. No decision; further review.

Key Discussion Points

  • Prosecuting Attorney Hunsucker: 40-year term required; timelines tight; EPF pathway for zoning.
  • Commissioner Kate: Prefer lease/retain ownership; trail/ROW concerns.
  • OlyCAP: No purchase needed; operations via grants.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft lease-purchase agreement (38 pages).

Financials

$10/year rent; Phase 3 capital via grants.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Lease vs. lease-purchase: Consensus on lease only.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; item was informational/workshop.
  • Next Steps: Finalize lease (staff/OlyCAP); define trail/ROW with Public Works; zoning plan by end-Aug; board approval pre-grant submission.

Background Materials

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