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11/10/25 09 AM: Homeless Encampments, Budget Deficit, Opioid Funds Top Meeting Agenda

Homeless Encampments, Budget Deficit, Opioid Funds Top Meeting Agenda

County commissioners addressed public concerns on homeless encampment clearances and services, approved consent agenda, reviewed DNR timber revenues, authorized septic amendment, proclaimed Transgender Awareness Week, workshopped opioid settlement allocations, and planned 2026 budget cuts targeting $3.2M deficit amid homelessness and revenue challenges.

Public Comments on Homeless Encampments and Related Services

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:07–00:32:30 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, planning, budgeting, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about the recent clearance of the Evans Vista homeless encampment, including lack of housing options, displacement to unsanitary sites without services, and a trespass warning issued to advocate Matt Reddy while filming police. Commenters highlighted failures in outreach to veterans, rising chronic homelessness despite increased state spending ($1.8 billion planned for 2025-27), full shelters, and unspent funds amid embezzlement examples. Requests included opioid settlement funding for the Welcoming Center's expanded hours, porta-potties for new encampments, and better data on unit vacancies (claimed at 20%).

Key Discussion Points

  • Matt Reddy described observing the Evans Vista sweep, failed Bayside placement for residents Aaron and Stacy, relocation to illegal private property, and his trespass warning; called for sanitation and harm reduction like porta-potties.
  • John (Veterans Assistance Program chair) noted veterans in encampments, SNAP benefit delays, and available funds for outreach.
  • Maggie criticized rising homelessness (55% chronic since 2007), state spending failures, full shelters, empty units, and contractor accountability.
  • Julia Cochran reported Welcoming Center record usage (23/day), shelter bunk bed plans, and requested opioid funds for expanded hours/showers/laundry/mail services (est. $100/day cost).
  • Gene Ball supported Reddy's advocacy; Jean Ball questioned Brennan Community Center painting ($44k) amid budget crisis; others raised road funding/TBD concerns.

Public Comments

  • Matt Reddy: Observed encampment clearance mishandling; urged better solutions like sanitation.
  • John (Veterans Assistance): Veterans in camps; SNAP issues; funds available.
  • Maggie: Homelessness up despite spending; full shelters; empty units.
  • Julia Cochran (Welcoming Center): Record usage; expansion costs; opioid funds request.
  • Gene Ball (Quilcene): Supported Reddy; questioned budget items like Brennan painting.
  • Others (Ed Bowen, Tom Tears, Shelly Yarnell, etc.): Roads, budget clawbacks, encampment criminalization.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • State homeless spending: $1.8B for FY25-27.
  • Embezzlement example: $7M from Pierce County HUD.
  • Welcoming Center expansion: $100/day est.
  • Brennan painting: $44k questioned.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners responded with appreciation, committed to harm reduction (porta-potties), opioid funds consideration, Shelter Coalition rescheduling; no immediate action.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • Review opioid documents for Welcoming Center RFP.
  • Reschedule Shelter Coalition for Thursday.
  • Continue behavioral health solutions.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:55:12–01:03:04 (PART 1)
  • Categories: permits, land use, contracts, planning

Summary

The board approved the consent agenda unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Major topics included a short plat approval in Port Ludlow (noting prior Shoreline Master Program exceptions), Quimper Land Trust parcel transfers and stewardship funding from Conservation Futures, Paholo wastewater change orders, Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort items, Marine Resources Committee reappointment, and Public Health contract amendments (e.g., ConCon reductions in FBHS funds by $75k, maternal/child health by $33k).

Key Discussion Points

  • Short plat: Contentious in Port Ludlow; under old 1992 rules.
  • Quimper transfers: Completion of 2022 conservation funding.
  • Paholo wastewater: Enables Port Hadlock UGA business.
  • Public Health ConCon: Reductions noted; one-directional from DOH.
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through agenda packet.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda packet items clarified discussions; no deviations noted; ConCon changes from state DOH (FBHS -$75k, maternal/child -$33,324).

Financials

  • Brennan Community Center painting/handrails: $44k from capital budget.
  • Quimper stewardship: From Conservation Futures (small % allowed).
  • No financial information discussed for most items.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (3-0).
  • No next steps specified.

DNR Timber Revenue Quarterly Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:03:04–01:34:15 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations

Summary

DNR provided Q3 timber revenue update: Last Crocker sort sale ($2.6M total value to county at 75% after 25% management fee; $400k received, $1.5M expected early 2026 post-audit); Maladjusted/AC Alder sales ready for spring (under contract ~$2.5M, payouts 2026). Skidder Lane sale pushed to March 2026; 2026 plan nearly complete with limited county timber. Discussion clarified audit process, scale vs. lump sum sales, 100% domestic logs, levy distributions (e.g., $375k received, $49.6k to general fund).

Key Discussion Points

  • Sales details: Last Crocker (sort sale, audit pending); weather delays others.
  • Revenue projections conservative; ~$2.5M under contract for 2026, most post-audit.
  • Levy splits: Fire districts/schools primary recipients; general fund minimal (~$50k from $375k).
  • Revenue advisory committee idea: Align with quarterly reports, invite levy recipients.
  • Drew (DNR): Explained processes, sales types, audits (10% holdback), weather impacts.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

DNR spreadsheets/maps (electronically provided; abbreviated packet due to printing issues).

Financials

  • Last Crocker: $2.6M total (75% to county ~$1.95M; $400k paid, balance 2026).
  • Maladjusted/AC Alder: ~$2.5M under contract.
  • 2024 total: $375k received ($49.6k general fund).
  • Levy rates determine splits (e.g., Fire Dist. 4/2/1).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action taken.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Q4 update; potential revenue advisory committee aligned with reports.

Authorization of Septic Designer Amendment

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:35:55–01:38:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts

Summary

Post-executive session, the board authorized delegation to Public Health Deputy Director Veronica Shaw to amend a prior settlement agreement with Shoaled Excavating and designer Suzanne Martin for septic repair/replacement (inherent placement missed by parties). Amendment adds $777 due to price creep, shared among parties.

Key Discussion Points

  • 4-way agreement; fair shared cost resolution.
  • Motion: Delegate to Veronica Shaw for amendment.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Prior August 11, 2025 agreement referenced.

Financials

  • Amendment: +$777 (shared costs).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approved the delegation to Veronica Shaw... to authorize an amendment."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Transgender Awareness Week Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:38:02–01:42:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The board proclaimed November 10-17, 2025, as Transgender Awareness Week, citing state protections, violence statistics (4x crime victimization, 50% sexual assault, 587% hate crime rise 2013-19), and community value. Approved as read; suggested updates for future.

Key Discussion Points

  • Read by Commissioner; supports local institutions against rhetoric.
  • Motion: "Approve this proclamation as written and read."

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text from agenda.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Update language for next year (e.g., recent stats).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved proclamation.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Update for 2026 (work with ADL).

Opioid Settlement Funds Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:42:25–02:06:22 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services, public safety

Summary

Staff updated on ~$2.55M county share from 9 new manufacturer settlements (Purdue largest, bankruptcy pending; full participation achieved). Prior ~$2M allocated (distributors to BHAC, pharmacies/manufacturers to RFP). Discussion on using $541k available (Fund 132) for jail medical ($367k), sheriff navigator ($30k), PA time (6hrs/wk ~$30k), vs. RFP; partial use pursued pending SalishBehavioral review.

Key Discussion Points

  • New settlements: $61M state total; Purdue/Sackler bankruptcy hearing soon (99% creditor approval).
  • Prior path: BHAC/RFP; new tranche uncertain timing.
  • Philip (PAO): Settlements details, timelines.
  • Proposals: Jail medical, navigator, PA/Juvenile/court services.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

AG estimates, Purdue website; One Washington MOU (abatement uses).

Financials

  • Prior: ~$2M (payouts to 2037).
  • New: ~$2.56M (Fund 132 avail. $541k).
  • Proposals: Jail med. $367k; navigator $30k; PA ~$30k.

Alternatives & Amendments

Dedicate producer funds to county; convene BHAC for input.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pursue partial use (~$150k est.); RFP remainder; run by SalishBehavioral.
  • Vote: Consensus to pursue with limits.
  • Next Steps: Salish review; BHAC discussion (11/25); producer payout chart.

2026 General Fund Budget Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:31:49–end (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, operations, contracts

Summary

Facing $5.2M deficit (12% cut target to $3.9M), workshop reviewed options reducing to $3.2M needed: reject TBD clawback ($638k); opioid $150k; therapeutic courts +$75k (Fund 131); law/justice sales tax $302k; facilities savings $242k. General fund 63% salaries; non-dept. $737k cut (incl. public defense $1.1M). Departments to identify cuts; financial plan Q1 2026.

Key Discussion Points

  • Deficit drivers: Prior deficits/appropriations ($4M+), sales tax drop, no SRS/timber, interest down.
  • Judy Shepard: 12% pro-rata cuts; options save jobs.
  • Rejects: TBD clawback (voter promise).
  • Approves: Law/justice tax, facilities, therapeutic courts/juvenile ($25k), opioid partial.
  • Savings ideas: Printers, Zoom/Teams, space planning, courthouse closure ($1.44M/yr).

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Budget spreadsheets; levy rates.

Financials

  • Deficit: $5.2M; target $3.2M post-options.
  • Law/justice tax: $302k (unincorp.).
  • Facilities: $242k savings.
  • Therapeutic: +$75k (Fund 131 balance).
  • Opioid: $150k from $541k.

Alternatives & Amendments

Furloughs/cuts quarterly; revenue gen. (grants); printer/Zoom savings.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pursue approved options; $3.2M cuts (pro-rata); no TBD clawback.
  • Vote: Consensus on options.
  • Next Steps:
  • Dept. cuts by Thu (public hearing Mon).
  • Q1 financial/build-back plan.
  • Revenue refines (Nov data).

Background Materials

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