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08/19/25 04 PM: County Budget, Challenges, Priorities, Housing, City Collaboration

County Budget, Challenges, Priorities, Housing, City Collaboration

County Administrator Josh delivered updates on general fund budget snapshot, key challenges like funding uncertainty and housing shortages, 2024 strategic priorities including Port Hadlock Sewer launch September 2025, housing projects, GMA updates, wildfire protection, parks progress. Extensive department reports from Central Services to Courts. City of Port Townsend collaboration on joint boards, shared services. Deep dive into housing/shelter needs (4,000 units required), barriers, septic studies. Strategies for public engagement at District 1 meetings.

County Budget Snapshot

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  • Time Range: 00:06:33–00:07:05 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting

Summary

County Administrator Josh presented a snapshot of general fund expenditures by department, noting expenditures are spread out with the sheriff taking a significant chunk funded by the general fund for important work. He also showed the revenue budget highlighting the top 10 revenue sources, with federal funding mentioned multiple times as an area of interest amid federal decisions by Congress and the administration.

Key Discussion Points

  • General fund expenditures spread across departments, sheriff accounts for large portion (Josh).
  • Top 10 revenue sources include multiple federal items (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slides showing general fund expenditures by department and revenue budget with top 10 sources. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No specific monetary figures discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

County Challenges and Opportunities

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  • Time Range: 00:07:05–00:07:49 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, other

Summary

County Administrator Josh listed challenges including uncertainty at federal and state funding levels, threats of inflation or recession, high housing costs and shortage, homelessness impacting recruitment and retention of talent, costs and learning curves for new technologies like AI, and looming climate resilience needs. He noted progress and opportunities in implementing the 2024 strategic plan.

Key Discussion Points

  • Uncertainty in federal/state funding, inflation/recession, housing shortage, homelessness affecting recruitment/retention, AI and tech costs, climate adaptation (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slide listing challenges and opportunities. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Strategic Priorities Including Port Hadlock Sewer

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  • Time Range: 00:07:49–00:09:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, services

Summary

County Administrator Josh outlined priorities from the 2024 strategic plan including roads and trails, Port Hadlock Sewer scheduled online September 8 after 25 years, aiding economic development, housing in urban growth area, planning/permitting timelines mandated by legislature, law and justice, forest/wildfire, parks/rec, and aquatic center. Sewer first phase/stage covers core central Port Hadlock/Irondale area, with stats provided on slides; governor visited for Hoe River washout repairs funded by governor's office.

Key Discussion Points

  • Priorities: strategic plan, roads/trails, Port Hadlock Sewer (online Sept 8), economic development/housing, planning timelines, law/justice, forest/wildfire, parks/rec, aquatic center (Josh).
  • Sewer Phase 1 price tag shown, covers central area not full UGA (Josh).
  • Governor funds for Upper Hoe Road emergency repairs after washout (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slides with priorities, sewer stats/price tag, governor visit photo. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

Price tag for Port Hadlock Sewer first phase/stage referenced on slide; governor's office provided funds for Hoe River road emergency repairs. No specific figures stated.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; Port Hadlock Sewer Phase 1 scheduled online September 8, 2025.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Housing Projects

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  • Time Range: 00:08:43–00:09:05 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use

Summary

County Administrator Josh highlighted housing projects with partners, some in Port Townsend, and upcoming Habitat for Humanity Mason Street Neighborhood Project in Port Hadlock near county library, enabled by sewer and currently in PLAT approval process.

Key Discussion Points

  • Housing projects with partners including Habitat Mason Street in Port Hadlock, PLAT approval process, sewer enables project (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slides on housing projects. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Growth Management Act Periodic Update

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  • Time Range: 00:09:53–00:10:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, ordinances, land use

Summary

County and city conducting 10-year GMA periodic update in 2025 with new requirements for housing element planning by income band for projected population, new Climate Resilience element, and critical areas ordinance update based on best available science, currently with Planning Commission.

Key Discussion Points

  • GMA update: housing by income band, Climate Resilience element new, critical areas ordinance review (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slide on GMA new requirements. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; updates ongoing with Planning Commission.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Sustainable Forestry

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  • Time Range: 00:10:26–00:11:35 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, planning

Summary

County Administrator Josh noted 2024-adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) by coalition including city, fire districts, DNR; available online with risk mapping, mitigation tracking, fire event storyboards. Sustainable forestry on county properties via Chickadee Forestry LLC for timber sales, value-added products, fuels reduction linked to CWPP.

Key Discussion Points

  • CWPP adopted 2024, coalition partners, online resources (risk maps, tracking, storyboards) (Josh).
  • Hired Chickadee Forestry LLC for sustainable forestry: economic benefits, fuels reduction (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CWPP available on county webpage/Google. Supporting materials (e.g., CWPP) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; CWPP adopted 2024.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Parks and Recreation Projects

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  • Time Range: 00:11:35–00:12:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, services

Summary

County Administrator Josh highlighted Larry Scott Trail (county facility starting in Port Townsend to Four Corners, extension project to Anderson Lake State Park toward Olympic Discovery Trail connection, complex construction). HJ Carroll regional park in Port Hadlock with JUMP facility Phase 1 funded, Phase 2 completed this year, designed for all abilities including intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Key Discussion Points

  • Larry Scott Trail extension to Anderson Lake SP, connect Olympic Discovery Trail (Josh).
  • HJ Carroll Park JUMP facility Phases 1-2, inclusive design (Josh).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slides/photos of Larry Scott Trail, HJ Carroll Park. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

Funding received for HJ Carroll JUMP Phase 1.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; HJ Carroll JUMP Phase 2 completed 2025.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

County Departments and Elected Officials Updates

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  • Time Range: 00:13:22–00:59:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, public safety, budgeting, planning, personnel

Summary

Presentations covered Central Services (internal facilities/IT/GIS/records, 27 staff, $6.4M budget, supports city assets like Memorial Field); Assessor (revalues property, new construction, levy rates/extensions, senior exemptions shift taxes to under-61, prefers homestead exemption); Treasurer (tax collection/investments/debt for districts except city/PUD, examples $23M school refund, $8.5M hospital, sales tax breakdown); Auditor (elections/passports/licensing/documents, online records expansion); WSU Extension (master gardeners/water resources/small farms/4-H/weeds/SNAP-Ed); DCD (permits/code/fire marshal); Public Health (60 staff, mandated services, clinics/environmental health/behavioral/DD, 94% grant-funded); Sheriff (56 staff incl. part-time, 24/7, jail/civil/criminal/traffic, city contract); Emergency Management (2 FT/4 PT, plans/EOC/alerts/volunteers like NPREP/MRC); Prosecuting Attorney (civil/child support/criminal/therapeutic courts successes/restorative justice pilot); Clerk/Courts (records/court proceedings/jury/therapeutic graduations/Zoom access).

Key Discussion Points

  • Central Services: 14 facilities, 27 staff, $6.4M budget, city assets (Sean).
  • Assessor: Revaluation cycle, exemptions shift taxes ($45k income threshold, propose $60-70k), homestead preferred (Jeff Chapman).
  • Treasurer: Debt examples ($23M school, $8.5M hospital), sales tax 9.2%/9.4% breakdown (Stacy Freda).
  • Public Health: 60 staff/5 facilities, core disease prevention, branches incl. harm reduction/foot care (Apple Martine).
  • Sheriff: 56 employees, city contract (Andy Perksteiner).
  • Emergency Management: Small staff, volunteers (NPREP/MRC/DCRT/large animal), text alerts (Willie Bentz).
  • Prosecuting Attorney: Sewer/zoning ordinances, therapeutic courts graduations, restorative justice pilot (James).
  • Courts: Therapeutic graduations open to public/Zoom (Judge Mindy Walker).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Multiple slides/department handouts (e.g., assessor handouts, treasurer sales tax sheet, Public Health resources). Supporting materials were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

  • Central Services budget around $6.4 million.
  • Treasurer: School District 50 $23 million debt refund; hospital $8.5 million.
  • Assessor: Senior exemption over $45,000 income (proposing $60,000-$70,000).

Alternatives & Amendments

Assessor prefers homestead exemption over income-based as it shifts to commercial/I-5 (Jeff Chapman).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentations.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: Therapeutic court graduations ongoing (e.g., next week).

City of Port Townsend and County Collaboration

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  • Time Range: 00:59:16–01:09:47 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, planning, contracts, services

Summary

Commissioner Heather introduced city guests (Mayor Craver, City Manager John Moros, Councilmember Owen Rowe); Mayor described role as legislator/chair; City Manager overviewed departments/interfacing/roles clarified; collaborations listed including joint boards (e.g., fairgrounds, health, transit, behavioral health, IDD, housing fund), mutual aid (sheriff/police), shared assets (community center/parks/Memorial Field), infrastructure sharing via Intergovernmental Collaborative Group.

Key Discussion Points

  • City-county joint boards/committees (27-29 per commissioner), shared facilities (Heather).
  • Clarify roles: county policy/infrastructure/funding, not direct developer (John Moros).
  • Mutual aid, equipment sharing (Heather, John Moros).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

City slides on departments/resources/websites, org chart showing overlaps. Supporting materials (e.g., slides) were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation on collaborations.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Shared Approaches to Housing and Shelter Needs

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  • Time Range: 01:09:47–01:43:33 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, services, infrastructure

Summary

Extended discussion on shelter (Jefferson County Emergency Shelter in Port Townsend managed by OLYCAP at American Legion basement, Caswell Cabin Village outside city), potential day center/rest stop model, housing barriers (permitting/costs), developer meetings, wastewater/septic constraints (septic study funded), farmworker housing, 4,000 units needed over 20 years (mostly <=80% AMI per Commerce), density in UGAs (40% Port Townsend/Port Hadlock), incentives vs. mandates, land trust/lease models, Habitat projects.

Key Discussion Points

  • Shelters: Emergency Shelter (OLYCAP), Caswell Cabins; consider day center/rest stop (Heather).
  • Barriers: developers/costs, wastewater key constraint, septic study (various).
  • 4,000 units/20 years per Commerce, plan by income bands, density in UGAs preserve rural (Josh, Commissioner Roberson).
  • Farmland preservation, farm housing/animals, food security (Chris - Planning Commission).
  • Collaboration needed (city/county/nonprofits/churches), wastewater infrastructure (public speakers).

Public Comments

  • Chris (Planning Commission): Preserve farmland, farm housing for large animals, state outlines insufficient.
  • Unnamed public: Kudos to shelter responsiveness; 450 on waitlist (seniors/moms/kids), collaborate all stakeholders.
  • Unnamed public: Wastewater core issue; need capacity study/alternatives like pit privies.

Supporting Materials Referenced

City council presentations on shelter/encampments; Commerce housing projections. Supporting materials were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

Need upwards of 4,000 housing units.

Alternatives & Amendments

Density in UGAs to preserve rural/farmland; land trust/lease models; pre-permitted sites; incentives for development (various).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational or deferred.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: Developer meetings rescheduled; Housing Fund Task Force 5-year plan; Food Systems Resilience workgroup; septic capacity study underway.

Public Engagement and Meeting Attendance

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  • Time Range: 01:44:10–01:59:46 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Discussion on low attendance at District 1 meetings (16 in-person, 6 online vs. prior smaller numbers), suggestions to promote via business groups (Chamber/EBCs/Production Alliance), social media/email, tap local mavens; success measured by availability/responsiveness not numbers; busy working families hard to reach.

Key Discussion Points

  • Low turnout despite promotion (email/FB/Instagram); tap business convenings (25-40 attendees) (various).
  • Measure by relationships/access, not headcount; busy shifts/kids (John Moros, Heather).

Public Comments

  • Unnamed public: Promote via neighbors/friends; fatigue from circular talks, but this positive.
  • Unnamed public: Language for seniors ("older Americans" affirming vs. diminishing).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Tap business networks, local leaders for promotion (John Moros).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: Next meeting September 9 at Quilcene Community Center, 6pm; continue promotion.

Background Materials

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