Skip to content

08/29/24 01 PM: Board reaffirms Chimacum Creek Drainage District inactive status outreach

Board reaffirms Chimacum Creek Drainage District inactive status outreach

The Board of County Commissioners reaffirmed the inactive status of Chimacum Creek Drainage District No. 1, noting no activities since 1974. They directed continued outreach, surveys, and research by WSU Extension, Conservation District, and others before a future hearing on dissolution, reactivation, or repurposing. Unanimous vote to extend inactivity per Resolution 35-23.

Public Hearing on Chimacum Creek Drainage District Inactivity Status

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:49–00:23:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, land use

Summary

The Board of County Commissioners held a statutorily required public hearing triggered by a Jefferson County Auditor memorandum under RCW 36.96.010, noting that Drainage District No. 1 (Chimacum Creek Drainage District), formed in 1909 for drainage and flood control, meets criteria for inactivity: no activities since 1974, no elections held, and unauditable by the State Auditor. The district was previously declared inactive via Resolution 35-23 following a similar 2023 hearing, with ongoing work by the Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney's Office, WSU Extension, Conservation District, and Peak Sustainability consultant to research options, easements, and resident preferences via planned surveys and outreach. The Board reaffirmed the inactive status, directing continuation of resident outreach before a future hearing to decide on dissolution, reactivation, or repurposing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhower provided background on drainage issues, research by Melissa Simon's office into 13-15 questions, and community outreach planning with WSU Extension, Conservation District, and Peak Sustainability to survey residents before implementation (Commissioner Eisenhower).
  • Mark presented that the district has collected no funds since mid-1960s, governing body resigned in 1974, meets all inactivity criteria (no functions for 49+ years, no elections, unauditable), and options include leaving as-is, dissolving post-inactivity declaration, reactivating, or repurposing for watershed management (Mark).
  • Auditor holds $1,200 in district funds, with disposition to be addressed post-outreach depending on reactivation, repurposing (requiring dissolution then new district), or other action; easements need clarification as they hold value (Stacey/Auditor, Heidi).
  • Ongoing Conservation District analysis of stream conditions funded by county/Department of Ecology grant (funds exhausted, additional funding expected via Padlock project); information posted on website (Joe Holt, Conservation District).
  • Annual Auditor notices will continue unless resolved or Auditor requested to pause; hearing required despite prior action (Commissioner, Melissa Simon).

Public Comments

  • Joe Holt, Jefferson County Conservation District Manager: Provided update on thorough stream/drainage analysis posted on website in June, grant-funded management plan drafting started but funds exhausted, additional funding expected.
  • Email testimony received but not detailed in transcript.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Jefferson County Auditor memorandum triggers hearing under RCW 36.96.010 for dissolution of inactive special purpose districts organized under RCW 80.60.010 and 85.38.180.
  • Criteria confirmed: no special purposes carried out in preceding five years, no governing body elections in preceding seven years, unauditable by State Auditor.
  • Options: no action, declare inactive and dissolve, reactivate current form, or change purpose (e.g., watershed/irrigation, requiring resident interest, election, tax assessment).
  • Hearing notice published August 14, 21, 28, 2024; minor cost for publication.
  • Documents in agenda folder "Hearing Chimacum Drains District"; no divergence from staff recommendations.

Financials

  • Auditor holds $1,200 in district funds since mid-1960s; disposition pending resident outreach and board decision (stay for reactivation, transfer for repurposing post-dissolution/new district).
  • Conservation District grant from county/Department of Ecology fully expended on analysis/management plan start; additional funding expected from Department of Ecology Padlock project.
  • No other financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Leave inactive without dissolving.
  • Declare inactive and dissolve (addressing easements, funds).
  • Reactivate in current form.
  • Repurpose (e.g., watershed management), requiring dissolution, new district, resident vote, tax assessment.
  • No formal amendments proposed; reasons for deferral: awaiting resident survey/outreach results.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion by one commissioner, seconded by Commissioner Eisenhower, to "reaffirm our finding from resolution 35-23 keeping the Chimacum drainage district inactive for another year."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all three commissioners: Aye).
  • Next Steps:
  • Continue outreach/survey to district residents after research questions resolved (WSU Extension, Conservation District, Peak Sustainability, Melissa Simon's office).
  • Schedule another public hearing for final decision on dissolution, reactivation, or repurposing.
  • Consider requesting Auditor refrain from future notices if unresolved by September 2025.
  • Address $1,200 funds and easements in future hearing.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information