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09/16/24 09 AM: County Commissioners Review Housing, Lodging Tax, Tourism Shifts

County Commissioners Review Housing, Lodging Tax, Tourism Shifts

Public comments on housing services, lodging tax redirection, embezzlement; consent agenda with behavioral health funding approved; child advocacy support letter; special assessments workshop; treaty council response; tourism strategy proposal discussed.

Public Comments on Housing Services, Lodging Tax Funding Changes, and Embezzlement Concerns

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:02:18–00:24:28 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, budgeting, contracts, other

Summary

Public commenters addressed updates to Housing Services office hours and demand, criticized abrupt changes to Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding redirection from Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) to pool projects without data or outreach, and raised issues of embezzlement at a youth homelessness prevention program and concerns over Bayside contracts and unrented units. Commissioners responded by praising Housing Services improvements amid pandemic recovery, defended LTAC shifts as long-planned system changes prioritizing infrastructure like pools over marketing with future public input via PFD process, and clarified distinctions in American Legion embezzlement cases while affirming fiscal oversight.

Key Discussion Points

  • Viola (Housing Services): Announced Monday-Thursday 9-3 walk-ins, Friday appointments; 90 walk-ins in 8 days, appointments booked to November; landlord liaison and October meet-and-greet planned. Commissioners Greg Brotherton, Kate Dean: Praised expanded hours and accessibility improvements.
  • Dan Ventura (TCC member): Applauded cost-cutting motivation but criticized abrupt LTAC funding cut without TCC input or ROI data comparison for pool relocation.
  • Michelle Ur (Shelley): Questioned LTAC fund outreach to payers, criticized lack of transparency/public input before decisions, urged PFD discussions on pool funding.
  • Maggie Tears: Cited $340k embezzlement from $700k Dept. of Commerce youth homelessness grant; concerns over Bayside not returning contracts to residents fearing retaliation, derelict units.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: LTAC changes after 5 years of failed incremental efforts; no useful TCC advice received; TCC should focus on infrastructure like pools; future outreach via task force/PFD.
  • Commissioner Dean: Noted high housing demand demonstrates need; excited for pool as tourism/local asset drawing from personal travel experiences.
  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Changes feel sudden but desired for years; supports pool visibility; encourages TCC input.
  • Commissioners distinguished local American Legion post (ally for sheltering) from corporate embezzlement oversight failures.

Public Comments

  • Viola (Housing Services): Expressed excitement for expanded hours and services amid high demand.
  • Dan Ventura: Supported motivation but sought better process/data for LTAC shifts.
  • Michelle Ur: Opposed LTAC redirection without outreach/transparency.
  • Maggie Tears: Highlighted embezzlement, contract issues, unrented units.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No specific documents referenced; LTAC memo and pool task force mentioned as context for prior decisions.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments noted; commissioners responded without formal action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Upcoming joint city council meeting (6 PM today) for pool presentation; written comments solicited; PFD process for further outreach.

Consent Agenda Approval Including Behavioral Health Funding Allocations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:28–00:29:57 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, contracts, planning

Summary

The Board approved the September 2024 consent agenda unanimously, including behavioral health funding allocations from $990k available (prioritizing public-fund dependent programs like OESD mental health services amid twice the requests), advisory board shifts/resignations (TCC, BHAC), appointments (LEPC, SWAC), Open Space Tax Program resolution amendment removing Hearing Examiner step, and other routine items. Commissioner Dean highlighted tough prioritization excluding some housing proposals due to other funding sources; $200k pulled for therapeutic courts noted as priority.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Dean: $990k available vs. double requests; prioritized OESD MH services, juvenile/family courts, Nurse Family Partnership; "heartbreaking work"; some like Gateway/Discovery zeroed for opioid/other funds.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Appreciated advisory service amid resignations (e.g., Christy Kisler from TCC); $200k therapeutic courts as unmitigated boon.
  • Items included: Sheriff's Overwatch contract ($24k+ reimbursable), BH 1/10th% allocations ($990k/year 2025-26), Open Space res amendment (removes HE req., saves $1.3k fee), LEPC appt. (Shannon Daugherty), TCC/BHAC resignations, SWAC reappt. (Stephen Chappuis).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • BH funding: $990k available; prioritized public-only programs; OESD MH robust; therapeutic courts $200k; Gateway/Discovery $0 (other funds).
  • Other: Overwatch sole-source ($24k Yr1 reimbursable); Open Space res (streamlines, saves HE fee).

Financials

  • BH funding: $990k/year (2025-26); requests exceeded availability; e.g., Combined Therapeutic Court $200k/year.
  • No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for September 2024."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Ayes).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Letter of Support for Jefferson Healthcare Child Advocacy Center Grant

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:57–00:32:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, public safety

Summary

Commissioner Brotherton introduced a walk-on letter supporting Jefferson Healthcare's Juvenile Assistance Grant Innovation Fund application for forensic exams/care for children under 13 as part of the Child Advocacy Center; highlighted multidisciplinary team success (e.g., 19 cases from forensic interviewing). The Board opened/closed public comment with none and approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton: Related to prior sexual assault nurse funding; provides forensics for under-13s; example: 19 child abuse cases from interviewing.
  • Letter details partnership, multidisciplinary involvement.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Letter explained partnership; no packet divergence.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve this letter of support for Jefferson Healthcare's application."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Commissioner to sign/send immediately for today's deadline.

Workshop: Special Assessment Fees Billed via Property Tax System

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:01–01:33:47 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations, planning

Summary

County Assessor Jeff Chapman briefed on processing/billing seven benefit assessments (Clean Water, On-Site Septic, Noxious Weed, Conservation District, Port Ludlow Drainage, DNR Fire Protection/Landowner Contingency) via tax statements, noting manual audits, exemptions (e.g., seniors, sewers), land-use tracking challenges, and collections (~$500k Clean Water, $470k Septic). Discussion covered exemptions consistency (e.g., add Port Hadlock Sewer), federal billing issues, CPI adjustments; proposals: amend Clean Water/Noxious Weed ordinances for Port Hadlock exemption/CPI.

Key Discussion Points

  • Assessor Chapman: Fees tied to land use require ongoing audits; exemptions vary (e.g., Clean Water exempts exempt properties/sewers); DNR aggregation; scripting/audits by staff.
  • Commissioners: Streamline via Portal data; federal consistency; CPI for ordinances.
  • Rates: Clean Water $25/parcel; Septic $42/system; Noxious Weed $4+$0.30/acre non-forest.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Workshop packet detailed seven fees, rates, audits, exemptions; proposals for Clean Water (exempt Port Hadlock), Noxious Weed (CPI).

Financials

  • Collections: Clean Water ~$500k; Septic ~$470k; Port Ludlow Drainage $85k (2024); DNR ~$300k; Noxious/Conservation similar.
  • Rates as above; WSDOT $791 roads +$84 parcels.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Amend Clean Water ord. for Port Hadlock exemption; Noxious Weed for CPI (not Conservation).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Consider ordinance amendments (Clean Water CPI/exemptions, Noxious Weed CPI).

Response Letter to Point No Point Treaty Council on Pleasant Harbor MPR

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:34:18–01:48:13 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, other

Summary

Post-executive session, the Board approved a draft response letter to August 15 Point No Point Treaty Council/Port Gamble S'Klallam/Jamestown S'Klallam chairs' concerns on Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort process, suggesting government-to-government consultation post-Oct 15; public questions sought original letter (shared) and tribal requests (concerns reiterated from prior phases, per DCD Director).

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Responds to Aug 15 letter on MPR plat process.
  • Josh Peters (DCD): Reiterates prior concerns (comp plan, dev agreement); public hearing pending Hearing Examiner.
  • Public: Tom Tears sought original letter; Shelley basic concerns.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears: Requested Aug 15 letter for context.
  • Shelley: Asked tribal requests/expectations.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Aug 15 letter (5 pages, shared); no divergence.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve/sign/send letter suggesting post-Oct 15 consultation.
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Send promptly; plat public hearing pending.

Lodging Tax/Tourism Promotion Strategy Proposal

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:32:38–03:05:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning, operations, other

Summary

Commissioner Brotherton presented ~20-min slideshow proposing LTAC/TCC shift to "destination development" prioritizing facilities/PFDs (e.g., pools, campgrounds) over marketing (flip RCW order); replace Visitor Info Centers with digital services/app/AI concierge, gateway center upgrades (paving, bathrooms, EV/Wi-Fi); explore workforce housing via LTAC ($130k bonds rentals <80% AMI near transit); 2-year marketing test via market forces. No action; commissioners to review/sequence with LTAC cycle (apps due 9/27).

Key Discussion Points

  • Brotherton: 100% prior LTAC to TCC marketing; propose prioritize RCW facilities first; VIC services (app, kiosks, AI); gateway as hub (paving, food trucks, art); housing RCW 67.28.160/180; no TCC advice in 5yrs.
  • Dean/Eisenhour: Support rethinking; partner OPTIC; measure impacts.
  • Swot: Weaknesses (housing/labor shortages, siloed efforts); opps (dev over marketing, AI).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

RCW 67.28 (LT uses); prior LTAC 100% TCC marketing; housing <80% AMI near transit.

Financials

  • LTAC ~$900k RFP; housing ex: $130k LT bonds $650k house (4x$23/hr jobs, $1k/mo rent).
  • No figures for VIC/staff shifts.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Flip RCW priorities: Facilities > events > marketing; digital VIC vs physical.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; review for LTAC direction (9/27 apps due).
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Memo for packet; LTAC mtg 10/17; TCC input.

Background Materials

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