Because there have been members of the public following our budget discussions (yay!) the Budget Director is making PDFs of our 700+ page Budget Books available even though they are working drafts and are not required to be made publicly available. You can find the most recent version 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.

See below for information on the weekly candidate meetings I will be hosting at Freeland Hall each Monday at 6 pm beginning on August 17.

• The Regular Session of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026; video recording here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/9476abd1-f40c-4157-aab2-faa0adae2a10.
  • No public comment was offered during the meeting.
  • We held 5 public hearings: three franchises, the 6-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The franchises and TIP were all approved but the CIP public hearing was continued until September 1, 2026 due to open questions.
  • We received one public comment on the CIP. The discussion on the TIP and CIP can be found in the recording beginning at mark 0:13:17.
  • The agenda for the Board meeting for Tuesday, August 11 is here: https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/e31d5a8f-6b6d-4fe4-ba31-3f76c8f934b1. On that agenda: a public hearing to amend the 2026 Budget.
• Budget Workshop: we held two Budget workshops this week.
  • Recording on the budgets for Commissioners’ Office, Coroner’s Office, Clean Water Utility Fund, and Treasurer’s Office begins at mark 2:53:45 in Wednesday’s Work Session recording, islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15762/08052026-WS-Audio.
  • Recording on the budgets for Planning & Community Development and Budget & Risk Management: islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15766/08062026-Budget-Workshop-Audio.
  • We will hold two budget workshops again next week:
  • Tuesday August 11 at 1 pm, Emergency Management and Public Defense: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter – docaccess-702f0abe69ffde78e68a7bd02e39486f.
  • Wednesday August 12 at 1 pm, Human Services and Public Health: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter – docaccess-4fbac9e1ae227a24af32f0000e2b0c56.
  • See comment above about accessing PDFs of the Budget Book, https://www.islandcountywa.gov/231/Commissioners-Budget-Information.
• Tentative Upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Public Hearings (held during board meetings, beginning at 10 am, unless otherwise noted):
  • 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 15:         Shoreline Master Program  (note the date change)                         
• Work Session held Wednesday, August 5: agenda https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter – docaccess-ad04ec4f4792e5b254d6fc5184ecf6c6; recording islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15762/08052026-WS-Audio.
  • During the discussion with our Budget Director on proposed changes to Uniform Guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, we had an interesting conversation on potential federal changes that would allow the federal government to take allocated funds back after we have already spent them. The Budget Department discussion begins at mark 0:03:49 in the recording.
  • We had an in-depth discussion about the new restrooms at the Freeland Park which we hope to have installed by the end of this year. They are going to cost way over the original budget. None of us are happy about it, and some of us were quite vocal with our dissatisfaction. Mark 0:30:29 in the recording.
  • We discussed the contract with LIHI to continue emergency housing services at the Harbor Inn in Freeland, and also our frustration that we have not yet opened the ten permanent supportive housing units we have planned there (note: this is not solely the fault of LIHI). Mark 1:01:29 in the recording.
  • Our Emergency Management Director brought us a discussion on the Island County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, mark 1:41:55 in the recording.
  • Work session agenda for Wednesday, August 12: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122026-1222. On that agenda: K9 Tracking/Trailing Policy; Updating existing Peddler’s Permit requirements and fees; Deer Lake Boating Regulations; Diking District No. 6 Discussion; Long Range Planning 2027 Work Plan and Docket; Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) Proposed Forestry Changes. 

• Public Health Update:
  • Air Quality Alert for Whidbey & Camano Islands: We are experiencing air quality impacts from wildfire smoke this week. Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations are ranging between Mild to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in Island County. The forecast shows smoke clearing up Friday August 7th through the weekend. Check AQI by location here: https://www.airnow.gov/? Or use the WA Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/?m=1
  • Bat Safety: A bat found inside a local home recently tested positive for rabies. The family took the right steps by coordinating with public health to test the animal, and they are currently receiving proper care. Late summer is a peak time for bat activity. While local bats are highly beneficial to our ecosystem, they are the primary carriers of rabies in Washington state. Bat Safety Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CQaHXZj6Z/
• Island County Pollution Identification and Correction Program:
  • You have one more chance this year to join the Island County PIC Program in discussing the important work underway in our community to improve water quality and reopen shellfish harvesting beds. Discussion on the Maxwelton Watershed, Wednesday, August 12^th 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
• Island Transit news: https://www.islandtransit.org/.
  • The Island Transit Board of Directors met this morning.
  • We held a public hearing on the 6-year Transit Development Plan (TDP); it was approved.
  • Also approved: a new Purchasing Card policy and revised Travel and Reimbursable Expenses policy.
• Island Senior Resources news: https://senior-resources.org/. Learn about classes, meals, volunteer opportunities and much more.
• I will be at the WiFire Community Space in Freeland at 3 pm on Monday, August 10. I invite you to come by and talk with me and other interested community members about County issues. That will be my last Monday 3 pm community meeting for the next couple of months, because:
  • Beginning Monday evening, August 17, I will host a weekly meeting for citizens to meet the candidates for County offices (Sheriff, Auditor, Assessor, Clerk, County Commissioner District 3). This will not be a forum or a debate—each week will be just one candidate talking with voters interested in hearing their message. BTW: I will moderate questions directly from the floor—and if it appears there is a ringer from a rival campaign asking hostile questions I will put a stop to it.
  • These meetings will be held at the Freeland Hall from 6 – 7 pm each Monday from August 17 to October 19.
  • Monday, August 17, 6 pm: Meet Island County Sheriff candidate Rick Felici.

Melanie

“We’re killing less salmon at this agency.”  ~Board member Craig Cyr, in a discussion about the environmental impact of Island Transit’s solar energy initiative

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