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11/18/24 09 AM: BoCC Approves Taxes, Housing, Planning Amid Waste Concerns

BoCC Approves Taxes, Housing, Planning Amid Waste Concerns

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting featured public comments on solid waste fees, recycling cuts, housing, and homelessness; approvals for housing fund recommendations, ad valorem tax levies, open space applications, Port Hadlock sewer code, CPP updates, population projections, and comp plan docket transmittal. Timber revenue update provided. Mostly unanimous votes, no major controversies beyond Dove House funding objection.

Public Comments on Solid Waste, Recycling, Housing, and Homeless Services

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:53–00:36:35 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, operations, planning, budgeting

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about solid waste management, including fee increases without audits, rural access issues for curbside pickup, plans to eliminate county recycling by 2026 except via commercial haulers, and glass recycling options. Additional comments addressed housing fund recommendations, homeless encampment conditions like tent stability and sanitation, and the need for a dedicated housing grant coordinator. Commissioners responded by noting upcoming workshops, financial constraints, entrepreneurial solutions for recycling, and prioritization of supported housing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Solid waste minimum shipping fee doubled from $10 to $20 in May 2023 with promises of funds for new transfer station unmet; request for audit (Tom).
  • Lack of data on commercial hauler vs. self-haul usage in rural areas with private roads; curbside feasibility questioned (Tom).
  • Plan to end county recycling (except commercial) in 2026 despite markets for cardboard/metal; $300k subsidy could raise tipping fees (Tom).
  • Glass recycling video from Louisiana students grinding glass for beaches; entrepreneurial local solution urged (Shelley Arnell Brennan).
  • Consent agenda includes $100k cap for master plan resort contract planner (Cristina Hayworth/OTAK); developer pays (Shelley Arnell Brennan, commissioners).
  • Housing fund board recommendations in consent; need housing grant coordinator amid worsening crisis (Julia).
  • Homeless at Evans Vista: porta potties added, tents blowing over, suggest Boy Scouts secure tents; Caswell Brown showers $450k vs. yacht club $375k alternative (Maggie).
  • Cleanup of Lourdes Lake Loop: 24 volunteers filled two dumpsters (Jane).

Public Comments

  • Shelley Arnell Brennan: Thanks for Brennan meeting; $100k cap on resort planner overdue; glass recycling video, local jobs possible.
  • Tom: Solid waste misinformation, fee hikes, no audit, rural curbside issues, recycling elimination illogical, calculate tipping fee impact.
  • Jane: Cleanup success, Trash Task Force praise; Zoom login issues.
  • Maggie: Harris win sarcasm; porta potties at Evans Vista; Caswell Brown costs vs. alternatives; tent security for disabled homeless; recycling bins.
  • Julia: Excited for housing fund; need grant coordinator amid federal shifts.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Solid waste: minimum shipping fee $10 to $20 (May 2023); $300k recycling subsidy; resort planner cap $100k (developer pays).
  • Caswell Brown showers/toilets: $450k; yacht club alternative: $375k.
  • Consent housing: Dove House $146k ask, recommended $145k (Beulah later objects).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; commissioners noted workshops on trail naming, library, solid waste; housing staff debated but consent approved later.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Solid waste workshop; housing fund approved in consent despite Dove House objection; glass recycling entrepreneurial ideas.

Consent Agenda: Housing Fund Board 2025 Recommendations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:36:35–00:50:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services, personnel

Summary

The consent agenda included Housing Fund Board recommendations for $1.5M from $3M requests across Funds 148/149; Dove House emergency shelter (highest scored, $146k ask) recommended $145k but pulled for discussion after Executive Director Beulah Soluburn objected to cuts despite top score and state victim service threats. Board defended prioritization of units over operations/support, noted oversubscription, and approved consent as presented.

Key Discussion Points

  • $3M requests for $1.5M available; Dove House highest score/full marks but Kearney Block Hub low score (Beulah Soluburn).
  • Dove House: 24/7 crisis line, serves women/children/pregnant; state may cut $258k victim services; scored highest but cut (Beulah).
  • Board: Tough choices, units prioritized; Dove funded near full; gaps post-June; other funds cut similarly (Greg, Heidi).
  • No emergency shelter funding in RFP; prioritized separately (Heidi).
  • Indigent defense: $32k covers 3% of $1M+ costs (staff).
  • Consent approved despite concerns.

Public Comments

  • Beulah Soluburn (Dove House): Highest score, low ask $149k; offensive cuts/"padded budgets"; state cuts loom; fund fully, add cafe food; downtown shelter funded more/higher cost, no kids/services.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Housing Fund Board scoring sheets; RFP results ($3M requests/$1.5M available).

Financials

  • Total requests: $3M+; available $1.5M.
  • Dove House: $146,923 ask, $145k recommended (Fund 148).
  • Kearney Block Hub: $120k ask, $30k recommended.
  • Bayside Hadlock Housing: $860k ask, $0 recommended.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Fund Dove fully; concerns over equity vs. men's shelter (Beulah).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for November 18th, 2024."
  • Vote: Aye (3-0, unanimous).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

DNR Third Quarter County Income Report (Timber Revenue)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:11:22–01:27:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations

Summary

DNR reported Q3 2024 revenue of $535k to county (YTD $848k); sales like Jupiter Access/Pennywise wrapping up; 2025 projection $2M+ under contract. Revenue distributed per tax district (school/fire); fire districts 2/3 benefit most.

Key Discussion Points

  • Q3 revenue $535k (timber/non-timber); YTD $848k ($123k general fund) (Drew Rosenbaum).
  • Sales: Jupiter Access extended, Center 21/Pennywise wrapping, Beaver Valley Pulp bonus $6k.
  • 2024 end: $104k deposits left; 2025: $2M+ (Crocker Sorts, Maladjusted, AC Alder).
  • Distributed: school/fire (14.6% general fund); fire districts rates noted.
  • Recent land sales (Rainier/EcoTrust) impacts discussed.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

DNR Q3 report/chart (timber/non-timber, projections 2024/2025).

Financials

  • Q3 distributed: $535k; YTD accrued: $848k ($123k general).
  • 2024 projected: $2.1M+; 2025 under contract: $2M+.
  • General fund share ~14.6%; road diversion down $620k-$520k.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

2025 Ad Valorem Tax Levies

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:41:06–02:01:07 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting

Summary

Assessor presented 1% levy increases for General ($90k), Road ($51k), Conservation Futures ($2.7k) plus new construction; no public comment. Board approved all, noting costs exceed 1%; road levy diversion to general fund reduced to $520k for traffic enforcement.

Key Discussion Points

  • Assessed value $9.8B (+$643M, 88M new construction); 1% + new const <2% blended (Jeff Chapman/Lauralee Kiesel).
  • Levy rates drop ~5¢: county 94¢, roads 75¢, city $1.31.
  • Road diversion $520k (<actual traffic costs); supports TLE.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Levy calculations/chart; assessed values.

Financials

  • General: +$90,973 (total $9.27M).
  • Roads: +$50,845 (total $5.17M); diversion $520k.
  • Cons Futures: +$2,728 (total $283k).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved four resolutions (1% increases, road diversion); letter to assessor.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Aye x3) each.
  • Next Steps: Letter to assessor; collection 2025.

Open Space Tax Program Applications

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:01:47–02:41:27 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning

Summary

Staff recommended approval of two applications (HCSEG 54ac/12pts=10% value; Zuker 21ac/10pts=30% value) via PBRS; Thorndyke withdrawn pending owner issue. HCSEG max points (resources/access/TDR); Zuker conservation easement. Hearing extended for Zuker fish habitat letter.

Key Discussion Points

  • PBRS min 5/max 12pts determines % value (David Wayne Johnson/Sherry Schultz).
  • HCSEG (CUA2022-0002): 12pts floodplain/shoreline/access/TDR transfer from ag/DFL; signage condition to 2028 (Gus Johnson).
  • Zuker (CUA2024-0001): 10pts stream/easement/Targhee policy; +1pt watershed (Gene/Zoe Zucker).
  • Thorndyke (CUA2024-0002): Withdrawn (owner issue).
  • Compensating tax on transfers noted.

Public Comments

  • Gene/Zoe Zucker: Salmon run/habitat pts; point system/% query.
  • Gus Johnson (HCSEG): Signage post-restoration (2028); access via hatchery easement.
  • Jean: Support.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Staff report/PBRS worksheets; maps; easement docs (Laserfiche links).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Zuker: +pts for habitat/plan (staff agreed pending letter).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved HCSEG; Zuker hearing extended for WDFW letter; Thorndyke pending.
  • Vote: HCSEG unanimous (Aye x3).
  • Next Steps: Tax agreements; signage 2028 HCSEG; Zuker continue hearing.

Port Hadlock UGA Sewer Utility Code Adoption

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:42:00–03:03:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, ordinances, budgeting

Summary

Public Works presented new JCC Title 13 Sewer Code/fee schedule (res/ord); $80/mo single family (phased SDC $0-3k/ERU); low-income discounts; no public comment. Board adopted, noting subsidies needed, grants cover capital, middle rates regionally.

Key Discussion Points

  • Code regulates planning/construction/use/enforcement; fees cover ops (Sam Harper/Monte Reinders).
  • Monthly: $80 SFH, metered commercial; SDC phase 2028+; low-income 50% min.
  • Connection policy clarified (existing adequate septic exempt).
  • Grants 100% capital; subsidy initial low volume.
  • Latecomer vs SDC explained.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Sewer code ord/res; rate study; connection table.

Financials

  • SFH: $80/mo; duplex $72; >4k gal $0.025/gal.
  • SDC: $0 (25-27), $1k(28),$2k(29),$3k(30)+.
  • Low-income: 50% min; grants 100%.

Alternatives & Amendments

Table 4.1 revised (existing septic exempt).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved res (fees), ord (code).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Aye x3) each.
  • Next Steps: Effective 1/1/25; ILA PUD ops.

Countywide Planning Policy Updates and Population Projections

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:05:09–04:13:20 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, budgeting

Summary

BoCC adopted updated CPP (first since 1994, adds Tribal/Climate chaps), OFM midrange pop projection (34.6k-40.5k, +5.9k; 80% urban/20% rural split), PPP after hearing. GMSC recommended post-5 mts; urban 40% PT/40% county UGA.

Key Discussion Points

  • CPP: Tribal/climate policies; modest UGA tweaks (Joel Peterson/Josh Peters).
  • Pop: OFM mid (hist accurate); 80/20 urban/rural (vs prior 70/30); Methodology C housing bands.
  • PPP: Schedule/phases/CBOs; focus underserved (Joel).
  • UGA: Port Hadlock growth via sewer emphasized.

Public Comments

  • Shelley Arnell Brennan: Inadequate outreach; GMSC abrupt.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CPP doc; OFM projections; PPP w/attachments.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

OFM low/high vs mid; 70/30 vs 80/20 split.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Adopted three res (CPP, pop/alloc, PPP).
  • Vote: Unanimous each.
  • Next Steps: CP update per PPP; Dec9 PT UGA hearing.

2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket Transmittal

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:13:44–04:26:29 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use

Summary

PC recommends 4 docket items (UGA prep, PT UGA expand Caswell Brown, rural housing, airport EPF/overlay); hearing Dec9. Mods: PT UGA direct expand (no swap); airport overlay port-owned only.

Key Discussion Points

  • PC/PC rec hearing Dec9 (Joel/Josh).
  • 1: UDC urban prep (ULS, Title13/15).
  • 2: PT UGA +32ac Caswell Brown sewer/public.
  • 3: Congregate housing/family def/PRRD.
  • 4: Airport +12ac EPF, overlay +49ac (port-owned).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

PC rec/suppl staff rpt; maps.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

PT UGA: swap->expand; airport BSP->dev regs.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved Dec9 hearing notice.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Hearing/action Dec9.

Background Materials

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