This is a short newsletter since most meetings were cancelled this week due to lack of quorum.

See below for information on the weekly candidate meetings scheduled at Freeland Hall each Monday at 6 pm through mid-Oct. Next Monday: Meet Barbara Fuller, candidate for Auditor.

• The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/a7e478c9-3250-420a-b651-82a573b09242.
  • No public comment was offered during the meeting. 
  • We held 3 public hearings, all franchise renewals. All three were approved. 
  • The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, August 25 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2b36599d-993b-404d-bf8f-7e246d3e22f5.  On that agenda: the eight sewer franchise public hearings shown below.

• Budget Workshop: our budget meetings were cancelled this week due to lack of quorum.
  • There will be no Budget meetings next week.
  • Our next Budget meetings will be held September 2^nd and 3^rd; I’ll post the agendas here next week.
  • You can find the most recent version of the 700+ page Budget Book here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/231/Commissioners-Budget-Information. Note: the PDFs will be updated at the end of each week after the Commissioners make changes.
• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
  • 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:           CIP (continued from 8/4)          
  • Tuesday, Sept 15:         Shoreline Master Program  
  • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Greenbank Estates (franchise)
  • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Sunset Ridge (franchise)
  • Tuesday, Sept 22:         Park Acres (franchise)
• Work Session was cancelled this week. The next work session will be held on Wednesday, September 2^nd. The agenda for that work session will be posted by Friday, August 28 here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.  
• The Council of Governments (COG) meeting for August has been cancelled, but the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) will hold a 2-hour meeting on Wednesday, August 26 beginning at 10 am. Agenda: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter – docaccess-a732aedd5094e4b0cc22f1947e2d28c0. On that agenda: Human Services Transportation Plan Draft and Regional Transportation Improvement Plan Policies
• Whidbey Climate Action is kicking off another season of Island Conversations the first week of September: What’s Really Raising Our Electricity Rates?  You’ve probably noticed that electric bills have risen in recent times, but perhaps you don’t know all the reasons for PSE’s rate increases. The speaker, Charlee Thompson, is the Sr. Policy Associate with the NW Energy Coalition. Charlee will explain what’s really behind the rate increases we all pay, and how to participate in ensuring that Washington’s energy goals are met with affordable, clean energy. Thursday, September 3, in St. Hubert’s Community Room, at 804 3rd St. in Langley. They begin with snacks and socializing at 5:45; the program begins promptly at 6:00.
• I will not be hosting Monday afternoon community meetings for the next three months, but:
  • I am sponsoring a weekly meeting for citizens to meet candidates for County offices. These are not forums or debates—each week will be just one candidate talking with voters interested in hearing their message.
  • These meetings will be held at the Freeland Hall from 6 – 7 pm each Monday through October 19, excluding September 7 (Labor Day)
  • Tentatively scheduled so far:
  • Monday, August 24, 6 pm: County Auditor candidate Barbara Fuller.
  • Monday, August 31, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Grant Shaw.
  • Monday, September 14, 6 pm: Sheriff candidate Tavier Wasser
  • Monday, September 21, 6 pm: Clerk candidate Deirdre Butler.
  • Monday, September 28, 6 pm: Commissioner Dist 3 candidate Matt Van Pelt

Melanie

Today is National Senior Citizens Day. What with fracturing my foot last week and turning 71 next week, I am definitely feeling the Senior Citizen vibe today. Consider this another plug for volunteers for Island Senior Resources, https://senior-resources.org/.

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.”
~George Bernard Shaw

Island County Candidate Forum

July 7, 2026

Legislative District 10 State Representatives

Candidates Attending:

Position 1:

Clyde Shavers (I) (Democrat)

Position 2:

Dave Paul (I) (Democrat) Tim Hazelo (Republican)

Island County Auditor

Candidates Attending:

(Independent) Andrea Downs (Democrat) Barbara Fuller (Democrat)

Island County Candidate Forum

July 14, 2026

Island County Assessor

Candidates Attending:

Kelly Mauck (I) (No Party Preference)

Island County Sheriff

Candidates Attending:

Rick Felici (I) (Independent) Tavier Wasser (Democrat)

Island County Clerk

Candidates Attending:

Toni Adams (Republican) Dierdre Butler (Democrat) Maria Hazelo (Republican) Amber Sewell (Democrat)

The Island County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:00 am to receive testimony on the Island County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. This hearing is being held as part of the legislative action to complete the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Following the public testimony, the Board adopted the comprehensive plan.

Final documents are available on our website: www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan. Questions about the Comprehensive Plan should be directed to compplan@islandcountywa.gov.

https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan

We are transitioning our website documents to a new format to make them all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and like most new software implementations we’re finding a few glitches. So if you encounter wonkiness with some of our links for a while (I found two just this morning) please be patient with us while we work this out.

• The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/742573bd-7eeb-4e0f-8a28-b2661f9d7d1c.
  • There was no public comment this week.
  • We held two sewer franchise public hearings; both franchises were approved.
  • The agenda for the Tuesday May 12 meeting is here:  https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/0a0802e4-30c2-4397-b3ee-a491e150d9e4. On that agenda: the two franchise public hearings shown below.
• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
  • Tuesday, May 5:         St. Peter Franchise  
  • Tuesday, May 5:         Hellum Franchise  
  • Tuesday, May 12:       Curbside Recycling
  • Tuesday, May 19:       Procurement   
  • Tuesday, May 19:       Amending Record of Proceedings code
  • Tuesday, June 2:        SE Camano Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 2:        Olympic Marine Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 2:        Higgins Franchise
  • Tuesday, June 9:        Private/commercial dog kennels
  • Tuesday, June 9:        Potentially dangerous dogs
• The agenda for the Wednesday May 6 Work Session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter – docaccess-40c6752ab804bc1b9d8dc968c49a719e; the recording is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14670/05062026-WS-Audio.
  • We had a robust conversation and presentation about the proposed new Jail, beginning at mark 0:1:54 in the recording. The presentation begins on page 5 of the agenda; in this presentation we talked about the issues driving this project and the timeline for next steps.
  • The second part of the jail conversation was a discussion on the selection of the site. We opted to not move forward with the resolution proposed (which selected a specific site); instead we tasked the Facilities Director to work with a jail consultant to perform a comparative validation of the three sites to ensure the County fully understands the known variables, risks, and cost implications before committing to a site.
  • The scheduled Human Services presentation was tabled for a future date.
  • The agenda for the Wednesday May 13 Work Session is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05132026-1170. On that agenda: a discussion on the final drafts of the Island County 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, and discussion of budget status, revenue concerns, and Commissioner goals and direction for the 2027 Budget Process.
• On Wednesday the Board also interviewed applicants for interim Superior Court Clerk. We appointed Michelle Schisler who served as the final Deputy Clerk under Debra Van Pelt. Ms. Schisler is not running for the office in the upcoming election, which we feel will provide the office with consistency for the next five months while also placing all of the candidates on an equal footing for the voters. The interviews can be heard here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14669/05062026-Clerk-Interviews-Audio; one of the candidates scheduled was unable to be interviewed due to a family emergency.
• Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Update:   After two years of in-depth work, this month the Planning Commission will finish their involvement in the development of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The Board is very grateful to everyone who served on this essential board during this time. Here is a link to the Planning Commission page:  https://www.islandcountywa.gov/235/Planning-Commission. You can find details on their meetings and minutes, including Zoom info, here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4. The agendas are published at least a week in advance. They intend to hold three Planning Commission meetings in May as shown below, in the Commissioners Hearing Room in Coupeville:
  • The final draft Comprehensive Plan is here: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/209/Comprehensive-Plan.
  • Wednesday May 13 – Workshop @ 6 PM (this replaces the usual first-Wednesday meeting in order to give the Planning Commission and public sufficient time to review the final draft Comp Plan)
  • Wednesday May 20 – Public Hearing @ 6 PM
  • Wednesday May 27 – Public Hearing @ 6 PM
• Island Transit news: https://www.islandtransit.org/
  • Island Transit Executive Director Melinda Adams was featured in the People Forward Leadership Podcast, where she spoke about Driving Culture Change: Trust, Growth, and the Power of People:  https://www.carolparkerwalsh.com/podcasts/the-people-forward-leadership-podcast/episodes/2149094287.
• Island Senior Resources news: https://senior-resources.org/.
  • Benefit Dinner and Auction, Sunday May 31, Whidbey Golf Club, 2430 Fairway Ln, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. For more information: https://senior-resources.org/benefit-events-2026/.
  • Golf Tournament, Monday, June 1, Whidbey Golf Club, 2430 Fairway Ln, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. For more information: https://senior-resources.org/benefit-events-2026/.
  • Island Senior Resources is actively recruiting for a full-time Executive Director. You can find details on the position here: https://www.facebook.com/prothmanco or here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prothmanco.
• Message from WSDOT: SR 20 to close for three nights starting Monday, May 11, for roundabout paving near Oak Harbor
  • OAK HARBOR – Eastbound and westbound State Route 20 will close for three nights beginning Monday, May 11, at West Fakkema Road north of Oak Harbor.
  • These closures will allow contractors working for the Washington State Department of Transportation to remove and replace pavement at the new SR 20 compact roundabout at West Fakkema Road. The project was suspended over the winter.
  • What to expect:
  • From 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Monday, May 11, through Thursday morning, May 14, both directions of SR 20 will close between Regatta Drive and Ault Field Road.
  • People traveling through the area should use one of the following detours:
    • Eastbound and westbound SR 20 travelers should use West Ault Field and Goldie roads.
    • Local traffic on the east side of SR 20 should use Sleeper and West Crescent Harbor roads.
  • Some of the work requires dry and warm weather and may need to be rescheduled.
  • The new roundabout was designed to slow vehicle speeds near the intersection, calm traffic and help create easier decisions for drivers. The project is expected to finish in June, when crews return to install permanent striping.
• I will meet with interested citizens at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on each Monday through the month of May.

Melanie

Today is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which recognizes the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices made by the spouses of the men and women in the Armed Forces. 

“The resilience of our families…and our children…is absolutely what has allowed us to do things that we’ve asked our force to do. The strength of our U.S. Armed Forces, the strength of our nation is in…our military families.”   ~ General Joseph Dunford, retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff