Thank you for reading my newsletter for the 31st week of 2026.
This is a short newsletter because the Board only met on Tuesday this week. Next week, though, is packed with meetings.
- The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/27fe42c1-be49-4505-9dd0-73b2d46c09b1.
- We heard public comment from five individuals on Tuesday: four were employees unhappy about their settled contract; one was a citizen with concerns about the Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
- We moved one item from the Consent agenda to the Regular agenda—the new fee schedule for Commercial and Private Kennels. It was approved as submitted. Mark 0:14:58 in the video recording.
- The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, August 4 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/658eb66c-f147-4a92-be63-65bbb699813c. On that agenda: the five public hearings shown below, three franchise renewals, the TIP and the CIP.
- Budget Workshops: We held our first Budget Workshop on Tuesday afternoon. I am happy to report that a couple of citizens attended, in person and online. The recording for this meeting can be found here: https://islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15716/07282026-Budget-Workshop-Audio-MP3.
- The next two 2027 Budget Workshops will be held on Wednesday August 5th at 1pm and Thursday August 6th at 10am. The zoom information for these two meetings can be found at the end of the agenda for the Tuesday August 4 Regular Meeting, https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/658eb66c-f147-4a92-be63-65bbb699813c.
- Agenda for Wednesday: budgets for Commissioners’ Office, Coroner’s Office, Clean Water Utility Fund, and Treasurer’s Office
- Agenda for Thursday: budgets for Planning & Community Development and Budget & Risk Management.
- Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
- Tuesday, August 4: McConnell (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 4: Lone Lake (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 4: Summerland (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 4: 6-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
- Tuesday, August 4: 6-year Capital Improvement and Clean Water Utility Program (CIP)
- Tuesday, August 11: 2026 Budget Amendment
- Tuesday, August 18: Madrona Annex (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 18: Sunset Water (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 18: Wildarama (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Carolyn Graves (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Groseclose (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Solvang (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Mt. Wenatchee (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Crawford (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Hudock (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Cary (franchise)
- Tuesday, August 25: Witham (franchise)
- Tuesday, Sept 1: Shoreline Master Program
- There was no work session this week. The next Work Session will be held on Wednesday, August 5th. The agenda for that meeting is here: https://islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter#docaccess-ad04ec4f4792e5b254d6fc5184ecf6c6. On that agenda: various contracts and appointments including the contract with LIHI to operate the Harbor Inn Emergency Shelter; a request for a budget increase for the Freeland Park Restrooms; Policy Manual Modification; and a discussion of the Island County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
- Last Monday I had the privilege of taking a tour of YMCA Camp Casey. The YMCA has made a lot of improvements and continues to make more, including a new pool that is open to the public (check the hours). They are taking reservations for two great camping opportunities now. https://www.ymcacampcasey.org/.
- Golden Getaway – Senior Overnight Camp, 9/15/26 – 9/17/26: Enjoy two amazing nights at YMCA Camp Casey on Whidbey Island full of fun and connection! Experience the joy of classic camp activities – yard games, arts & crafts, indoor pickleball, morning chair yoga and more – all designed with adults 55 and over in mind. Fee includes all snacks and meals, activities, and lodging. Stay in Dormitory-Style lodging in historic Camp Casey Barracks. Questions? Contact Stephanie Corbelli scorbelli@ymca-snoco.org. To learn more and register: https://snoco.recliquecore.com/programs/1147/?locations=12385 – division_4008
- Outdoor Day Camp, through August 26: much more than a summer activity for kids, it is a place where friendship, belonging, achievement, and learning come together. At Outdoor Day Camp, they focus on small group experiences, hands-on educational activities, traditional camp fun, and time spent outdoors—helping campers build confidence, curiosity, connections, and unforgettable summer memories. This year, they’re offering transportation options to and from both Freeland and Oak Harbor to help families out! To learn more and register: https://snoco.recliquecore.com/programs/1029/outdoor-day-camp/ – division_4533
- Public Health Update:
- Public Meetings for Island County’s Pollution Identification & Correction (PIC) Program: Join the Island County PIC Program in discussing the important work underway in our community to improve water quality and reopen shellfish harvesting beds.
- Maple Grove Watershed. Wednesday, August 5th 5 – 7 pm, Camano Convergence Room 121 N East Camano Drive.
- South Holmes Harbor Watershed. Thursday, August 6th 5 – 7 pm, Bayview Community Hall 5642 Bayview Road
- Maxwelton Watershed. Wednesday, August 12th 5 – 7 pm, Bayview Community Hall 5642 Bayview Road
- Learn more about the PIC program here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/997/Island-County-Pollution-Identification-a
- Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan: In August 2025, a coalition of Island County cities, towns and special purpose districts embarked on a planning process to prepare for impacts of disasters.
- That process has now culminated with the development of the Island County 2026 Draft Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is now available for review and comment at the informational website established for this planning effort at: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/170/Department-of-Emergency-Management.
- The public is highly encouraged to provide input on the draft plan to Rachel Schwinden, Emergency Management Coordinator at r.schwinden@islandcountywa.gov or Beverly O’Dea, Project Manager, Bridgeview Consulting at Bevodea@bridgeviewconsulting.org. The comment period for review of the draft plan will end August 16, 2026.
- Island Transit news: https://www.islandtransit.org/. The Island Transit Board will meet next Friday, August 7th, at 9:30 am.
- Island Senior Resources (ISR) news: https://senior-resources.org/. I attended the ISR Board meeting this week and learned that they really need volunteer medical transportation drivers. If you would be interested in learning more about this important public service, go here: https://senior-resources.org/volunteering/.
- I will be at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday, August 3. I invite you to come by and talk with me and other interested community members about County issues.
Melanie
“Somebody said to me, ‘But the Beatles were anti-materialistic.’ That’s a huge myth. John and I literally used to sit down and say, ‘Now, let’s write a swimming pool.’” ~ Paul McCartney