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08/12/25 06 PM: Jefferson County Priorities: Roads Tax, Fire Safety, Weeds, Roads

Jefferson County Priorities: Roads Tax, Fire Safety, Weeds, Roads

County operations overview highlighted priorities like roads sales tax ballot, sewer projects, comp plan; fireworks ban success; community centers RFPs; noxious weeds assessment hike; property valuations; road brush complaints; fire ban improvements. No major actions; public input noted.

County Services and Priorities Overview

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:00–00:12:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, budgeting, infrastructure, planning

Summary

County Administrator Josh Peters presented an overview of Jefferson County's operations, including 3 commissioners, 8 elected officials, and approximately 360-365 staff across departments like Public Works, Public Health, and Sheriff's Office. Key priorities include a 2024 strategic plan implementation, roads funding via a November ballot measure for 0.2% unincorporated sales tax increase, Port Hadlock sewer project completion in September enabling housing like Habitat for Humanity's 136-unit Mason Street project, Comprehensive Plan update with housing element, climate resilience, and critical areas ordinance revisions, community wildfire protection plan (CWPP), parks/trails/playgrounds, and forest management. Challenges noted: federal/state funding uncertainty, inflation, housing costs, staff recruitment, and potential recession.

Key Discussion Points

  • General fund expenditures ~$30M annually; top revenues: federal indirect awards, state grants, property tax, sales tax.
  • Recent awards: Public Works Director Monty Rinders (Engineer of the Year), Assistant Director Eric Guzman (Program Manager of the Year), Treasurer Stacey Braden (LGIP advisory committee).
  • Upper Hoh Road washout repaired with governor's office funding.
  • Encouraged public participation in BOCC meetings (Mondays 9am-4:30pm, in-person/Zoom), public comment, and volunteer opportunities (e.g., Planning Commission, Housing Fund Board).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

  • General fund: ~$30M expenditures annually.
  • Port Hadlock sewer: $36.5M+ for core urban growth area.
  • Roads ballot: 0.2% sales tax increase for unincorporated areas.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; no action taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Sales tax ballot measure on November general election.
  • Port Hadlock sewer online in September 2025.
  • Comprehensive Plan update ongoing.

Fireworks After-Action Report

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:12:23–00:17:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Commissioner Brotherton and Sheriff Bernsteiner debriefed July 4th fireworks ban due to dry conditions, noting successful implementation by Sheriff's Office and fire marshal despite short notice (~2 weeks). Enforcement focused on education over ticketing; challenges included staffing, competing calls (e.g., assaults), and identifying violators; small fires quickly extinguished. Gardner boat ramp hotspot addressed by fire marshal presence and signage ($1,000 fine).

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton: Policy imperfect; last-minute decisions problematic for enforcement; future Fire Summit September 24, 5-8pm at Chimacum Fire Station 6 (Zoom available) to discuss CWPP, fire marshal inspections, potential fireworks modifications (state law requires 1 year+ notice).
  • Sheriff Bernsteiner: Full ban would take 5-6 years for compliance; 4 officers patrolled amid other priorities.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; informational debrief.
  • Next Steps:
  • Fire Summit: Wednesday, September 24, 5-8pm, Chimacum Fire Station 6 (Zoom).

Community Center Operations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:17:54–00:22:48 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, operations, services

Summary

County officials alerted Gardner residents that their community center management contract ends 2025; no changes anticipated as it's cost-effective (~$5-6K annual county support, rest volunteer-raised). Other centers (Quilcene, Brinnon by OLACAP; Port Townsend) face RFP due to interest from North Hood Canal Chamber; Quilcene/Brinnon desire public hours unlike Gardner's model.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters: Love Gardner model; hard to beat; OLACAP gets higher contract (~$65-70K?).
  • Resident (community center board): Funds cover costs; inquire if RFP includes Gardner.

Public Comments

  • Unnamed resident (board member): Operating well on volunteer basis; concerned about competition.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

  • Gardner: ~$5-6K/year from county.
  • Quilcene/Brinnon: Higher (~half of $65-70K mentioned).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No changes for Gardner anticipated; RFPs for others.
  • Next Steps: Navigate RFPs; include Gardner in conversation; contracts end 2025.

Noxious Weeds Control

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:54:44–01:02:35 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, planning, other

Summary

WSU Extension (Jefferson County) presented noxious weeds program funded by parcel assessment ($4/parcel + $0.30/acre since 2016; approved increase to $5.50/parcel pending BOCC/public hearing). Focus: mapping in Gardner, pulling tansy (cyclical, worse sans dairies), control on roads/timber lands; timber companies legally required but often unresponsive post-tree establishment; encourage reporting.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sophi Ijugu: Drive-by pulling tansy in bloom; spray options (triclopyr, aminopyralid); cost-share program developing (hire help, license, equipment loans); timber/DOT broad-spray issues; Scotch broom not required locally (90-year seed bank).
  • Borrow weed wrenches; office Mon-Thu 9-4 (call ahead).

Public Comments

  • Unnamed residents: Tansy prevalence; timber companies/DOT responsiveness; report sightings.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

  • Annual budget: $867K (65% grants/assessments, WSU contribution).
  • Noxious weeds: Special assessment; increase to $5.50/parcel.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Weed board approved assessment increase.
  • Next Steps:
  • BOCC public hearing on assessment increase.
  • Noxious Weed Control Board vacancy (District 4, agriculture producer).

Property Assessment Practices

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:26:40–00:41:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, planning, land use

Summary

Assessor Jeff Tappman explained parcel valuation via 6-year physical inspections (no prior contact; marked vehicles/vests/cards; legal per RCW 84.40.025 to enter property/gates for valuation). Exemptions (seniors: income <$45K, age 61+); levy rates set by taxing districts' needs. Public raised privacy concerns (unannounced visits, gates, aerial alternatives).

Key Discussion Points

  • Jeff Tappman: Inspect every parcel (6K/year); no drones/aerials sufficient; values determine taxes but assessor collects fixed amounts.
  • Residents: Show up unannounced? Open gates? Report to code enforcement? Tribal land impacts minimal.

Public Comments

  • Multiple unnamed residents: Privacy intrusion (backyard surprise, dogs); aerial/video alternatives; tribal land tax loss (Clallam example); gates/RCW verification.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Aerial/oblique imagery pushed but opposed (privacy, tribes).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; informational.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Road Maintenance and Brush Cutting

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:33:04–01:55:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, operations, budgeting, public safety

Summary

Residents raised ongoing concerns about overgrown brush at Gardner intersections (visibility/safety), ineffective mowing, fire risk delaying work; community center driveway/trees neglected despite proximity to road crew. Officials noted 400 miles roads, 25% staffing/funding cut since ~2000 (inflation, Secure Rural Schools drop $800K→$140K), broken $450K brush cutter on order, prioritization needed.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters/Commissioners: Public Works (Bonnie Reiner) oversees roads/Parks/fleet; capacity limits; sales tax ballot for roads.
  • Residents: Intersections blind (e.g., Old Gardner Rd); speed limits ignored; volunteer clearing; use jail crews.

Public Comments

  • Multiple unnamed residents (incl. Jean Ball): Prioritize pre-fire season; traffic/speed bumps/roundabouts near boat ramp; economic development over taxes.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

  • Roads budget down ~25% adjusted; Secure Rural Schools: $140K (was $800K); new brush cutter ~$450K.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Speed bumps/roundabouts/one-way; jail crews; volunteers.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Email CAO ([email protected]) for Public Works requests.
  • 0.2% sales tax ballot November.

Sales Tax Increase Ballot Measure

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:06:10–00:06:39; 01:37:18–01:37:56 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

November ballot proposes 0.2% sales tax increase (unincorporated areas) for roads fund due to deferred maintenance, rising costs, staffing shortages; Port Townsend roads example of risks.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters/Jean Ball: Diversify revenue; prevent Fort Townsend-like conditions.

Public Comments

  • Unnamed resident: Prefer economic development over tax.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

  • 0.2% unincorporated sales tax increase.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: On November ballot.
  • Vote: Voter decision November general election.
  • Next Steps: Ballots mail October 15.

Fire Bans and Notifications

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:19:55–01:22:06; 01:59:28–02:05:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Jefferson County Fire Marshal (DCD) sets burn bans (not Clallam FD3); collaboration with chiefs via data; past park BBQ shutdowns lacked notification. Improvements: risk-benefit weighing, reservation alerts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chelsea Pronovost: Fire code conversations; consistency challenges (Forest Service).
  • Last year H.J. Carroll Park event impacted without notice.

Public Comments

  • Unnamed residents: Inconsistent timing (Jefferson vs. Clallam); poor park communication; propane alternatives.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced or provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Propane grills; notification protocol.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; process improvements noted.
  • Next Steps: Develop reservation notifications; ORCA burn permit app (meeting 8/13).

Background Materials

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