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07/24/25 05 PM: Jefferson County Ops, Sewer, Roads, Taxes Updates

Jefferson County Ops, Sewer, Roads, Taxes Updates

County overview highlighted operations, 367 employees, $85M budget; Port Hadlock Sewer startup Sept 8; sales tax ballot for roads; Public Works on grants, recycling fees; dog park interest; various dept updates. No actions taken.

County Government Overview and Organizational Structure

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  • Time Range: 00:10:51.000–00:33:15.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting, planning, personnel

Summary

County Administrator Josh Peters presented an overview of Jefferson County's operations, including 367 employees across 8 elected offices and 8 appointed department directors, with major departments like Public Works (86 employees) and Public Health (64 employees). The general fund expenditure is about $30 million annually, with total budgeted revenues of $85 million including federal indirect awards primarily for the Port Hadlock Sewer project. Challenges include revenue uncertainty, housing shortages, climate adaptation, recruitment difficulties due to isolation and high housing costs, and opportunities like new technology; priorities include a 2024-2028 strategic plan, road maintenance, sewer project, economic development, housing, forest management, and parks.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jefferson County manages roads, sheriff's office, public health, elections, property appraisal, and tax collection.
  • Three county commissioners oversee policy and budgets; independently elected offices make their own decisions.
  • Recent recognitions: Public Works Director Monty Reinders and Engineering Services Manager Eric Kushmaul named County Engineer of the Year; Treasurer also holds state roles.
  • Revenue sources include grants (largest), property tax, sales tax; sheriff's office is largest general fund expense.
  • Upcoming ballot measure on August 4th for 0.2% sales tax increase in unincorporated areas for roads (Transportation Benefit District).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced. Slides were presented during the overview.

Financials

  • General fund: ~$30 million annual expenditure.
  • Total budgeted revenues: $85 million, with large federal indirect awards for sewer project.
  • Proposed road fund ballot: 0.2% sales tax increase.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; no action taken.
  • Next Steps: County commissioners to consider road sales tax ballot measure on August 4th; ongoing 2026 budget discussions.

Port Hadlock Sewer Project Update

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  • Time Range: 00:33:55.000–00:40:48.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, budgeting

Summary

Sam Harper provided an update on the Port Hadlock Sewer project, a nearly $36 million initiative mostly funded by state and federal grants received during the pandemic, stating that food waste introduction to the wastewater treatment plant begins September 8th with testing of pumps and gates beforehand. The project is divided into stages prioritizing high-order users first, then commercial properties, with design underway for Wooden Boat Star Marine area; the county owns service lines to the road under an interlocal agreement with Jefferson County PUD for operations. Harper emphasized team effort including commissioners, public works, finance, and public input.

Key Discussion Points

  • Membrane bioreactor plant; seed sludge from Port Townsend; grinder pump at library for Stage 1.
  • Non-utility county partnering with PUD for operator, lab accreditation, budgets, and billing.
  • Strider Construction (Ellensburg) to connect initial users at 3-4 per day to reach 24,000 gallons startup volume.
  • Handling inflow via equalization tank; borrowing bacteria from Port Townsend temporarily.

Public Comments

  • Audience question on utility status: Confirmed interlocal agreement with PUD.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Total project cost: nearly $36 million, mostly state/federal grants.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; plant startup September 8th.
  • No next steps specified.

Treasurer's Office Update and Sales Tax Information

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  • Time Range: 00:41:51.000–00:54:39.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services

Summary

Treasurer presented on tax due dates (next Halloween, last in courthouse for years due to Friday), payment options including drop boxes and partial payments, and sales tax details showing unincorporated Jefferson County at 9.2% vs. Port Townsend at 9.4%, with proposed ballot increasing unincorporated to 9.4%. Destination-based sales tax means online deliveries and local purchases contribute based on delivery location; 2024 data compared peninsula jurisdictions, noting construction boosted revenues amid retail dips. General fund revenues ~60% from property taxes, federal PILT, and sales tax.

Key Discussion Points

  • Partial payments accepted to avoid falling further behind; contact office for help.
  • Excel tool available on county website for sales tax data analysis.
  • Kitsap County sales tax dwarfs peninsula due to size; encourage local/online spending for local revenue.

Public Comments

  • Questions on business sales leakage, sector breakdowns (retail down, construction up from sewer/bridge), online vs. local multiplier effects.

Supporting Materials Referenced

County webpage with sales tax charts and Excel document referenced.

Financials

  • Current sales tax: Port Townsend 9.4%, unincorporated 9.2%; proposed unincorporated increase to 9.4%.
  • Construction sector covered retail dips; sectors like retail trade ~20%.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

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

Public Works: Roads, Trails, Recycling, and Signage

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  • Time Range: 00:54:39.000–01:17:51.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, operations, services

Summary

Public Works Director Monty Reinders discussed leveraging 5% county funds into 95% grants for projects like $5M Olympic Discovery Trail to Four Corners (Seton Construction) and $36M Port Hadlock Sewer (99.9% grants, ~$1M county loan repayable over 20 years). Challenges include 25% staff reduction, doubled equipment costs (e.g., brush cutter $150k to $300k), reduced chip sealing (now 25-year cycle vs. 10-12), and Rural Towns Infrastructure loan program; recycling proposal shifts to pay-for-service curbside or $20/220lbs at transfer station by April 2025, ending free drop-offs due to contamination (41 tons garbage last year). Signage in rights-of-way discussed as generally prohibited except temporary political signs with rules.

Key Discussion Points

  • 400 miles county roads; chip seal preserves vs. asphalt (8x cheaper).
  • Recycling enterprise fund (no taxes); hybrid system last in state with 3-bin separation; glass damages MRF equipment.
  • Right-of-way 60ft wide; commercial signs not allowed; prioritize safety/blockage complaints via online form.

Public Comments

  • Question on Four Corners signage: Commercial signs prohibited; report via online complaints prioritized by safety.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Jefferson County Code Title 18 (sign regulations) referenced online.

Financials

  • Trail project: $5M, mostly grants; Sewer: 99.9% grants, ~$1M county.
  • Recycling gate fee proposed: $20 minimum/220lbs.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; recycling changes proposed for April 2025.
  • Vote: No vote.
  • Next Steps: Recycling contract ends Jan 2025; target April 1st transition.

Dog Park Proposal for Port Hadlock Area

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  • Time Range: 01:19:59.000–01:25:33.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: parks, planning

Summary

Parks and Rec staff discussed community interest in two off-leash dog parks (East Central Park and Barge View area), each at least 1 acre with separate sections for large/small dogs, following one formal request and informal inquiries. Potential sites include across from H.J. Carroll Park by Tri Area Community Center; planning department raised concerns about kid activities/parking at East Central. Emphasized need for community group to fundraise/grants for construction/maintenance, as county lacks funds.

Key Discussion Points

  • Recent H.J. Carroll playground Phase 2 completed for all abilities.
  • Heidi: Thrilled by interest; meet with groups for plans.

Public Comments

  • Earlier introduction: Dave interested in local dog park vs. traveling to Fort Townsend/Chimacum.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Alternative site: Across from H.J. Carroll by community center.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; explore sites with community input.
  • No next steps specified.

Other Department Updates

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  • Time Range: 01:26:38.000–01:55:26.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, personnel, operations

Summary

Brief updates from Central Services (facilities/IT/records), WSU Extension (fair Aug 8-10, mobile library), Assessor (property inspections, tax levy process), Public Health (clinical/home care, vaccinations, disease notification, environmental health, rabies), Clerk (court records/jury), and Auditor (voter registration). Assessor noted county owns significant lands including rainforest areas; Public Health opening municipal health center at Chimacum middle/high school.

Key Discussion Points

  • Central Services: IT infrastructure, public records requests.
  • Public Health: School clinics, rabies reporting (after-hours line), substance use support.
  • Assessor: Annual revaluation sets rates to meet levy amounts.
  • Clerk: New jury portal, security system.
  • Auditor: Online registration encouraged.

Public Comments

  • Questions on recording fees allocation (mostly housing/homelessness), passport processing.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Recording fee: ~$306 total, county general fund $5, rest to housing/homelessness.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

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

Background Materials

Contents

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