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11/03/25 09 AM: LTAC Critique, Encampment Policy Approved, Budget Deficit Looms

LTAC Critique, Encampment Policy Approved, Budget Deficit Looms

Jefferson County BOCC meeting covered LTAC awards process concerns, encampment policy revisions approved unanimously, consent agenda passed, public health update, economic development reports, and 2026 budget workshop revealing $5.2M deficit needing 12% cuts.

Public Comment on LTAC Awards Process

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:02:06–00:25:40 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, other

Summary

Caitlin Friedman from Quilcene commented on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) awards process, praising Commissioner Dudley's and committee members' efforts but criticizing rushed final deliberations, short public comment period, and a 10% cut to Chimacum Valley Historical Society funding as arbitrary. Commissioners Dudley, Brotherton, and Eisenhower responded, acknowledging process challenges, announcing a follow-up LTAC meeting due to calculation errors and transparency concerns, and committing to improvements like better public comment timing and thorough reviews. No action taken; focus shifted to agenda items.

Key Discussion Points

  • Caitlin Friedman detailed 12 hours of LTAC presentations/deliberations, bylaws review, time crunch, 10-second public comment closure despite hand raises, and 10% cut to Chimacum Valley Historical Society while 5 others received more funding [Caitlin Friedman, 00:02:12–00:04:23].
  • Commissioner Dudley explained post-meeting calculation errors leading to a new LTAC meeting via Doodle poll, with applicant notices, and lessons learned on time buffers and public tech lags [Commissioner Dudley, 00:16:16–00:21:55].
  • Commissioners Brotherton and Eisenhower thanked participants and noted LTAC challenges, DMO questions for BOCC review [Commissioner Brotherton, 00:22:43–00:23:36; Commissioner Eisenhower, 00:24:44–00:25:31].

Public Comments

  • Caitlin Friedman/Quilcene: Praised LTAC thoroughness but criticized rushed cuts and public comment; requested longer tech-accommodating periods and merit-based decisions [00:02:12–00:04:23].
  • No additional public comments on LTAC.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • LTAC funding: $900,000 total; over by $20,000-$30,000 requiring 2.3%-2.4% cuts generally, 10% to Chimacum Valley Historical Society and Quilcene/Jefferson Historical Society [00:21:07–00:21:42].

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; announced additional LTAC meeting this week via Doodle poll with applicant notices.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Schedule LTAC follow-up meeting (target this week).
  • Provide briefing if needed.

Public Comment on Displacement/Encampment Policy

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:50–00:24:12 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, services, planning

Summary

Multiple speakers supported "no displacement without placement" for non-hazard encampments, requested transparent reporting with demographics/shelter outcomes, and grounding in Housing First/equity standards. Vicki Sontag questioned policy clarity, code inconsistencies (e.g., JCC 1.5 vs. 8.1), HB 1220 irrelevance, and suggested sheriff maintain shelter list over health department. Commissioners acknowledged feedback, committed to workshop integration, code review, and "no displacement without placement" theme.

Key Discussion Points

  • Vicki Sontag (District 1) supported policy but flagged JCC 1.5 inconsistencies with temporary facilities/authorized encampments (onerous requirements like monitoring), HB 1220 irrelevance, and sheriff-led shelter list [Vicki Sontag, 00:05:02–00:08:43].
  • Sonder Hunt (Well Organized Jefferson County, Quilcene) praised revisions for compassion/clarity, urged no displacement without low-barrier placement, transparent reporting (demographics, shelter offers/outcomes), Housing First/equity grounding [Sonder Hunt, 00:09:15–00:11:37].
  • Commissioner Brotherton noted JCC 1.5/8.1 inconsistencies for workshop, reviewing supporting code [Commissioner Brotherton, 00:23:16–00:24:07].

Public Comments

  • Vicki Sontag/District 1: No displacement without placement; clarify codes/temporary facilities; sheriff maintain shelter list [00:05:02–00:08:43].
  • Sonder Hunt/Well Organized, Quilcene: No displacement without low-barrier options; transparent reporting; Housing First [00:09:15–00:11:37].
  • Sunny Allen/Quilcene: Supported Vicki/Sonder [00:14:10–00:14:32].

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • JCC 1.5 (available space/temporary use); authorized encampment requirements; HB 1220; line-in/line-out policy version; presentation slides [00:05:34–00:08:16].

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; committed to workshop integration.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Workshop policy today; review supporting codes.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:26:54–00:30:03 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, ordinances, personnel, planning

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled, including hearings on 5-year Housing Plan, ad valorem levies/road diversion/1% increase, public health agreements (e.g., case management training with Discovery Behavioral Health for Compassion Project), board/committee review, and Mason County PUD letters of support due today. Commissioners highlighted housing plan, levies, public health services, and Transit advisory resignation triggering review. Supporting materials detail MOA for JCSO medical benefits, CBA for JCSOUSS, IDD contracts with Cascade ($299k+), Birth-to-Three outreach ($3.1k), EV charger easements, proclamations.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhower noted meaty agenda with housing hearing, levies/road diversion/1% increase [00:27:10–00:27:33].
  • Highlighted public health agreements/case management training with Discovery for behavioral health [00:29:07–00:29:36].
  • Transit advisory resignation (Gary no longer with Transit) prompts board/committee review [00:28:25–00:28:50].
  • Motion to approve consent agenda as presented; unanimous [00:29:41–00:30:03].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • MOA 25-01 JCSO medical benefits admin ($0 fiscal impact).
  • 2024-2027 JCSOUSS CBA (12% wage increase, PTO, longevity).
  • IDD contracts Cascade (Individual Supported Employment $299k, Community Inclusion $213k, Group $71k, School-to-Work $20k).
  • Birth-to-Three outreach First Step ($3.1k).
  • EV charger easement Tri-Area PUD.
  • Hearing notices: Housing Plan, levies/road diversion.

Financials

No specific figures discussed; supporting materials note contracts (e.g., Cascade $584k total IDD, Discovery $9.5k case mgmt).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented today."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified; hearings/letters due today.

Monthly Public Health Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:28–01:16:17 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, personnel

Summary

Dr. Berry reported COVID downtrending but influenza rising (recommend vaccines/masking); RSV expected later; childhood vaccine shortages due to federal issues; SNAP cuts impacting 4.2M Americans (mostly kids/elderly/disabled/vets), urging food bank support. KPTZ Q&A covered global COVID data/vax support, pandemic messaging errors (e.g., early fomite vs. respiratory). Willie Bence discussed road closure plans, DART/volunteer pilots, winter prep event. Commissioners questioned multi-vax safety, SNAP reinstatement.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Berry: COVID down, flu up (vax 6mo+); RSV vax shortages kids/elders; SNAP cuts (4.2M, 1.2M vets, reduces chronic disease) [Dr. Berry, 00:45:49–00:52:57].
  • Multi-vax safe together (minor side effects) [Dr. Berry, 00:53:21–00:55:27].
  • Pandemic errors: early fomite messaging, school closures harm; need data-driven transparency [Dr. Berry, 00:57:28–01:05:23].
  • Willie: Hwy20/19 closure used Discovery Rd detour; limited ingress/egress plans (Navy beachheads, DART pilots); winter prep 11/4 library [Willie Bence, 01:10:34–01:16:17].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

SNAP monthly benefit $187 ($6/day) [Dr. Berry, 01:56:29].

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Winter prep event 11/4 10:30am library.

Workshop: Economic Development Reports (NODC/EDC)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:29:08–02:20:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning, operations

Summary

NODC (Karen Affeld) presented mission, CEDS 2026-2030 (diversified economy, infrastructure, assets), ReCompete grant ($35.6M, NODC leads rural/remote), ag/food advising ended (USDA cut), Strait ERN staffing, resilience conference (75 attendees). EDC (David Ballif) updated wins (Jefferson Timber $262k grant, 400+ business engagements), 2026-27 Strategic Plan (jobs/investments, convening, knowledge hub, BRE, org dev). Commissioners praised, invited advocacy/inventory.

Key Discussion Points

  • NODC: CEDS goals (resilient economy, prosperity, infrastructure, assets); ReCompete rural focus (5 tribes/Forks/S Jefferson) [Karen Affeld, 01:30:58–01:53:07].
  • EDC: 51 new businesses/73 jobs/$1M loans; Manufacturers Roundtable; Strategic Plan pivots (cohesive ED, website hub, white paper) [David Ballif, 02:03:01–02:17:52].
  • Commissioners: Resilience conf/S County useful; EDC revenue focus/inventory/advocacy [Commissioner Eisenhower/Brotherton, 01:53:18–02:19:56].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CEDS 2026-2030; ReCompete grant docs.

Financials

ReCompete $35.6M/5yrs ($8.2M NODC, subawards e.g. $1M Hoh Tribe); ag advising cut (USDA) [01:33:51–01:37:58].

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Workshop: Unauthorized Encampment Removal Policy Revision

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:20:23–03:13:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety, services

Summary

Staff (Ariel/Phil) presented revisions addressing public comments: no mandatory placement (HB1220 compliance via JCC18.20.385); definitions (low/no-barrier); emphasis areas mapped/BOCC-approved; 7-day notice; annual reporting (voluntary demographics/outcomes). Public supported no displacement without placement. BOCC approved revised policy unanimously post-discussion on 1.5 flexibility (temporary sites sans full permit), sheriff list-sharing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Revisions: 7-day notice, PH consultation, JCC1.5 temp sites flexibility (admin discretion), reporting enhancements [Ariel Speser/Phil Hunsucker, 02:21:19–03:02:49].
  • 1.5 allows admin to designate temp sites sans full JCC18.20.385 permit if no shelter/applicant [Commissioner Brotherton et al., 02:39:12–02:54:20].
  • Motion to approve revised policy/repeal prior [03:04:54].

Public Comments

  • Sonder Hunt: No displacement without low-barrier; reporting/equity [03:05:53–03:07:09].
  • Julia: Winter shelter support [03:07:56–03:09:23].

Supporting Materials Referenced

Revised policy draft; JCC18.20.385; HB1220 ordinance (06-13-2022).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • May (not shall) for temp sites sans full permit [02:39:56].

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve resolution adopting revised policy 02.10.23-01 as amended."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Workshop: 2026 General Fund Budget

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:13:41–end (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel

Summary

Finance Dir Judy Shepherd reported $27M revenue/$32M expenditures ($5.2M deficit); 2025 appropriations worsened to $5.8M deficit; recommend 12% cut for balanced budget/$1.5M 2027 reserve. Salaries/benefits 63%; sheriff $9M/non-dept $6.8M largest. Options: staff cuts/furloughs/pay reductions, review contracts/consultants/transfers; financial plan Q1 2026. Electeds/depts seek agency in cuts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Deficit $5.2M; 12% cut needed ($29M exp to ~$25.5M); reserves erode [Judy Shepherd, 03:14:13–03:27:21].
  • Salaries 63%; insurance +35%; public defense shortfalls; transfers down [03:23:05].
  • Hiring freeze/vacancy forms; review contracts/revenue/grants; depts agency [Josh Peters, 03:33:29–03:40:46].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

None directly; general fund projections.

Financials

  • Revenue $27M; exp $29M GF + $3M transfers = $32M ($5.2M deficit).
  • 2025: $5.8M deficit erodes reserves to $2.8M entering 2026.
  • 12% cut yields $1.5M 2027 balance.

Alternatives & Amendments

Voluntary furloughs/reductions; dept agency; revenue review (grants/levies).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; 12% cut direction.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Q1 2026 financial plan; adoption 12/1 or 12/8.

Background Materials

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